The Road to Good Citizenship

A Good Step Into the New Year!

People and dogs of all ages are welcome in the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Children who are involved in 4-H can participate in CGC. One of the oldest participants to pass the test was a 96-year-old woman in Georgia. She came to the test with her 16-year old Dachshund. AKC Canine Good Citizen Director, Dr. Mary Burch, recalled this very special duo.When those two passed the test, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, said Burch. They provided absolute proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Get a Certificate for Good Manners at Home and in the Community

The CGC program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. It stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. At the heart of the program is the 10-step Canine Good Citizen Test. All dogs that pass the 10-step CGC test are eligible to receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs.
The 10 items on the CGC test include:

The Canine Good Citizen program lays the foundation for moving on to other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events.

Owners do their part at the Canine Good Citizen Test by signing the Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge. The Pledge says that the owner agrees to provide for the dog's basic health needs including routine veterinary care, safety, and quality of life. The Pledge also specifies how the owner will help ensure that the dog is not a nuisance to others.

How to Find Training Classes and Testing Facilities

The web site for the American Kennel Club contains information on CGC training and testing. Training and obedience information can also be found through AKC Dog Clubs, breed clubs, obedience clubs and CGC evaluators. Also, remember to check the list of CGC tests at upcoming AKC shows.

In 2008, why not plan on having more time and fun with your dog through both CGC training and then the CGC test? This way, you can both achieve a worthwhile goal, one that not only gives you confidence in your dog but also demonstrates his ability to act as a valued member of your household and your community.

Tips on Training and Other Canine Topics
Do you enjoy relaxing with a magazine that offers well written articles, interesting topics, great photos and illustrations and keeps your attention from cover to cover? If so, then an excellent source for canine news, training tips, health topics, breed news and many other canine subjects can be found in the American Kennel Club's two award-winning magazines. The AKC Gazette has won the coveted Maxwell medallion in the category of Best All-Breed magazine twice! AKC Family Dog, created in 2003, joins its sister publication as a Maxwell winner in the same category.
Preview the current issues of both magazines at akc.org/pubs and see how you can subscribe to one or both today.