The purpose of the Canine Good
Citizen Program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the
dog, can be a respected member of the community. To receive the
CGC certificate, dogs take the 10 item Canine Good Citizen Test.
Items on the test include:
Test Item 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog
will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the
handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up
to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly
manner, ignoring the dog.
The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not
break position or try to go to the evaluator.
Test Item 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog
will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with
its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to
begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and
body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the
exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog
must not show shyness or resentment.
Test Item 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates
that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will
permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the
owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care, concern
and sense of responsibility.
The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and
groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e.,
proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should
supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator
then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner,
lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot.
It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position
during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog,
praise it and give encouragement throughout.
Test Item 4: Out for a walk (walking
on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the
handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side
of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt that
the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the
handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog need not
be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the
handler stops.
The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the
handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either
case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn
with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The
handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or
give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the
dog at the halts if desired.
Test Item 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog
can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under
control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and
pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show
some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with
the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or
resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or
praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on
people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test Item 6: Sit and down on
command - staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog
has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and
down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit
or down position, whichever the handler prefers).
Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20
feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and
use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down.
The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the
handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog into
position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance.
When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to
stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns
to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place
in which it was left (it may change position) until the
evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may
be released from the front or the side.
Test Item 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog
will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10
feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The
handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers
may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply
walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
Test Item 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog
can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their
dogs approach each other from a distance of 20 to 30 feet, stop,
shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about
10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in
each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its
handler.
Test Item 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog
is confident at all times when faced with common distracting
situations. The evaluator will select and present two
distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair,
rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front
of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane.
The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may
appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away,
show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog
and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
Test Item 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog
can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will
maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to
say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and
then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of
sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in
position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace
unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or
nervousness.
Equipment
All tests must be performed on
leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars made
of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such as
pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC
test. We recognize that special training collars may be very
useful tools for beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that
dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the point at which they
are transitioned to regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The
owner/handler should bring written proof of rabies vaccines and
the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and
encouragement throughout the test. The owner may pet the dog
between exercises. Food and treats are not permitted during
testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc. to get the
dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may provide
valuable reinforcement or encouragement during the training
process but these items should not be used during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during
testing must be marked failed. The only exception to this rule
is that elimination is allowable in test Item 10, but only when
test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to
attack a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be
dismissed from the test. |
