Is YOUR dog a Canine Good Citizen?
What is a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and why would you consider this distinction for your family pet?
Developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the CGC has become a valuable program utilized by individual pet owners and the rescue community alike.
The advantages can be very personal for you, your family, and your pet. Plus, it can actually provide your pet with skills that could ultimately keep it safe from falling into the rescue system one day! It also helps them in their confidence and emotional well-being, so CGC training can serve your dog and you on so many levels.
CGC program offerings include:
AKC S.T.A.R Puppy
AKC Community Canine (GCC-A)
AKC Urban CGC
Canine Good Citizen
According to the AKC:
“Started in 1989, the CGC Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.”
On the AKC’s website they note:
“As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you’ll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high-quality life.”
Below are the items required and here’s a link with full details.
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Out for a walk (waling on a loose lead)
- Walking through a crowd
- Sit and down on cue and stay in place
- Coming when called
- Reaction to another dog
- Reaction to distraction
- Supervised separation
The Value of CGC Training from a Trainer's Perspective
Kelly Citrin, founder and lead trainer at 4 on the Floor Dog Training in Rockville, Maryland believes that CGC training is an important and vital class offering to offer her students.
She actively offers various CGC classes as effective training that gives real life benefits for dog and owner alike including enhancing their mutual bond.
Citrin recognizes the various level of benefits that CGC training provides and has made sure to integrate the program to reach dogs from family pets to rescue dogs seeking forever homes.
The goal overall is to result in dogs that are well behaved, and welcome members of any community!
It starts with an owner “buy in”
When an owner signs their dog up for CGC they are required to sign a CGC responsible dog owners’ pledge. This requirement emphasizes the very core of the journey the pet owner and his/her dog will be embarking upon.
Passing CGC requires that your dog:
– is under basic instructional control
– can respond to simple verbal cues while on leash
– is reliable when in the presence of people and other animals.
Your dog’s successfully passing CGC training can be especially helpful in these other situations:
– if you are preparing a dog to become a service dog work or therapy dog, or to engage in dog sports.
– assisting a dog owner when applying for a housing situation where a dog’s behavior may be considered. Being able to present proof of passing a CGC class often reassures a potential landlord of behavior and pet ownership.
-pet owners who may find travel is a necessary part of their lifestyle will find dogs with CGC skills will make their movements less stressful for themselves AND their dog!
Why offering CGC training is an asset to a training program
4 on the Floor’s Citrin believes that offering CGC training is a valuable course offering for dogs from puppies to adults. Quite simply, CGC training sets dogs up for success.
For puppies, Citrin utilizes CGS as essentially an “end cap” after 8-9 months of other training. They need to be pretty well socialized before formally entering into CGC training.
Adult dogs can go into CGC directly If they have reliable sits, downs, recalls and a stay can go right into CGC The program includes 6 weeks. with the 7th week the week of testing.
Classes help strengthen the skills necessary to pass the Canine Good Citizen evaluation and for real life.
4 on the Floor offers several different CGC classes and teaches them throughout the year including Advanced about 5x a year and urban CGC 3 times a year.
In addition to prepping for CGC test, the training helps strengthen your dog’s focus on you which is why as previously mentioned, this training is a perfect doorway to Therapy Dog work.
4 On the Floor founder Kelly Citrin in fact, is an active therapy dog instructor with a working therapy dog, who serves as secretary on the board of National Capital Therapy Dogs.
Hard Work Pays Off
CDC training does not always result in a passing score the first time around, but Citrin notes “that’s ok!”
Owners and their dogs are encouraged to work on the skills that need to be refined and repeat/take the class again!
CGC class action videos!
Thank you to 4 on the Floor for these videos and photos from their CGC training sessions
Pictures from 4 on the Floor Canine Good Citizen class below!
Choosing which CGC program offering is best for your dog
When selecting which trainer/evaluator you choose for your dog’s CDC training review the methods that trainer uses.
Citrin suggests that you choose providers who do not use aversive tools or techniques that are scientifically proven to cause more problems for your pet in the long run.
Find an experienced fear/force free trainer who will teach beyond the test and prepare for the real world.
In short, do your homework. Research about the trainer’s overall dog training approaches and their credentials.
CGC for rescue dogs
Citrin’s personal experience working with rescue dogs has led her to offer some local rescue groups special discounts to help them provide CGC training to dogs looking for forever homes. This training will improve their adoptability as well as the chances that they will STAY in their adopted homes and not be potentially returned due to behavior issues.
Rescue groups that 4 on the Floor works with includes:
–Forever Changed Animal Rescue (FCAR)
–A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue
Scholarship Fund
4 on the Floor also established a special scholarship fund to assist other pets in need. Learn more about their Cooper Fund program.
CGC use in veteran related programs
CGC skills used in preparing dogs for veteran companion type ownership situations
The Rescue interfaces with shelters and rescues to help homeless pets in their care get trained as dogs to assist veterans and first responders with PTSD.
Paws for Heroes rescues homeless dogs and professionally train them to serve as companion dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD, at no cost to the veteran.
Setting up shelter/rescue dogs for success
Rescue programs directly have utilized CGC training to assist in making their adoptables easier to adopt.
In fact, Austin Pets Alive! introduced the CGC prep in 2014 with the help of Best Friends Animal Society. The video below shares the benefit of CGC training within the shelter/rescue community.
Recap
Setting dogs up for success
The CGC is a great training tool for the typical dog owner as well as serving a great role within the shelter/rescue and service animal world. This training sets up dogs for success, improves the owner/dog bond and ultimately can provide dogs with increased safety and opportunities within the community.
Remember that getting through the CGC process is a valuable time for you AND your dog. It will not only enhance your bond, but it will provide your dog with life-long tools that will ultimately allow them to be an integrated part of your life.