Your Dog Deserves to be Recognized

as a Canine Good Citizen

A friendly, well-behaved dog that we can take virtually anywhere without risk or bother to others -- a dog who behaves well in a crowd, has good manners when guests visit our home, is reliable around children, and who doesn't lunge, bark at, or threaten other dogs or passersby is a Canine Good Citizen. The American Kennel Club urges that all dog owners participate in their CGC program, stressing responsible ownership of all dogs whether they be purebred or mixed breeds. The AKC developed the Canine Good Citizen program in 1989 to evaluate whether a dog is well-behaved and has good manners in public and in 1999 it created a database of CGC certified dogs and began including a frameable certificate of achievement for the owner. This test of your dog's manners and training is not a competition, and does not require that you and your dog perform with precision. To pass the CGC test, the dog must be socialized around other people and dogs. He must allow other people to touch him without jumping on them or trying to bite. The dog must also know basic commands such as sit, down, stay and come, as well as walking politely on a leash. The CGC test is composed of 10 different tests, which are meant to simulate day to day life. The purpose of the CGC Test is to ensure that the dog can be an accepted member of the community because it has been taught to behave well in the home, in public places, and around other dogs.

Red River Obedience Club’s Beginner class includes all the exercises to equip you and your canine companion with the necessary skills to pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test. We also have on hand a Certified tester and the test is given twice yearly at the RROTC facility located in Shreveport, usually in April and October.  The most recent test was held Saturday, April 12, 2008.  Eleven dogs tested and nine passed their Canine Good Citizen testing.  The next test will be scheduled for early fall .

Elements of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test

Part One: Allowing a friendly stranger to approach

Part Two: Sitting calmly and politely to be petted

Part Three: Allowing handling for grooming and physical examination

Part Four: Heeling politely on a loose lead

Part Five: Walking calmly through crowded areas

Part Six: Sit on command, and down on command

Part Seven: Coming when called

Part Eight: Greeting another well-behaved dog without aggression or excitement

Part Nine: Handling distractions and distracting environments

Part Ten: Behaving well when in the care of another and the owner or trusted handler is out of sight

Owners are permitted to use praise and encouragement during testing, but toys and treats are not allowed. Also prohibited are special training collars, such as choke chains, prong collars and head halters. A standard buckle collar and regular leash are all that is permitted.

All dogs, whether mixed or purebred, can take the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen test.  For a more in-depth description of the test, visit the AKC web site by clicking here.

Red River Obedience Training Club

1213 Texas Street     Shreveport, LA  71101   Phone:  (318) 221-9429