CGC: What does it mean to be a Canine Good Citizen?
With Austin’s beautiful year-round weather and dog-friendly atmosphere, most dog owners want a well-mannered dog, especially one they can take in public. A nicely trained dog using dog-friendly, reward-based methods is not an unobtainable goal.
A Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, a standardized test sponsored by the American Kennel Club (AKC), offers owners a chance to showcase your dog’s skills. The test consists of ten items that evaluate a dog’s skills as well as an owner’s ability to handle her dog respectfully and responsibly.
The test items range from a dog successfully demonstrating a “sit,” “down,” and “stay” to walking on a loose-leash, sitting while a friendly stranger pets him, behaving properly when walking by another dog and the ability to be handled or groomed. The test is a great assessment of skills our dogs excel in and a chance to get to know our dogs better (for example, does your dog like to be pet on the head?).
When we are willing to take time to train our dogs to become CGC dogs, it shows that we -- as responsible owners -- are invested in building a good working relationship with our dogs. Through training, we strengthen the trust bond and are able to communicate more effectively with our dogs. Dogs who have a foundation of positive-based training behind them and have earned their CGC are more likely to be taken out in public and included in family activities.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Some landlords are more willing to work with renters of a CGC dog, employers may be more open to you bringing your dog to work and insurance companies may offer a small discount to owners of a CGC dog (it never hurts to ask!). A CGC is part of the requirements for Therapy dogs also, if that’s what interests you.
So, having our dogs become a CGC not only means our dogs are well-mannered, good citizens in public, but it also means that we - as owners - are invested in our dog’s success.
Let our Certified Professional Dog Trainers help you and your dog achieve success today!
Blog post written by Paula Baker Prince, DogBoy's Director of Training.
Photo by Norah Levine Photography.