With training, your dog can become a Canine Good Citizen

The American Kennel Club has reported more than 1 million dogs and their owners have participated in and earned the Canine Good Citizen (CGC).

My dog Kasey and I enrolled in a CGC course, where we learned the 10 CGC skills that focused on teaching the basics of good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership and strengthening the bond between us.

We completed the training program and, on the last day of the course, we passed the CGC test. The certificate from the AKC made it official. Kasey joined an ever-growing group of canines that are recognized as a dog with good manners at home and in the community.

The AKC's CGC certification program, which started in 1989, is open to both mixed breed and purebred dogs. There are no age requirements; however, training a puppy is different from training an adult dog, so the AKC has developed S.T.A.R. Puppy, a special training program that teaches the starting points of CGC skills for young dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the AKC.

According to the AKC, some dogs who are entered in CGC tests will have completed basic obedience classes or owners may have trained the dog themselves. There are clubs and training programs in almost every city that can provide CGC training before the test.

According to the AKC website, www.akc.org, these are the 10 skills needed to pass the Canine Good Citizen test:

• Accepting a friendly stranger. The dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation.

• Sitting politely for petting. The dog will allow a friendly stranger to pet it while it is out with its handler.

• Appearance and grooming. 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.

• Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead). The handler/dog team will take a short “walk” to show that the dog is in control while walking on a leash.

• Walking through a crowd. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three) to demonstrate that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places.

• Sit and down on command and staying in place. The dog will respond to the handler's commands to 1.) sit, 2.) down and will 3.) remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers).

• Coming when called. 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.

• Reaction to another dog. To demonstrate that the dog can behave politely around other dogs, two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands, exchange pleasantries and continue on for about 10 feet.

• Reaction to distraction. To demonstrate the dog is confident when faced with common distracting situations, the evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distraction 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.

• 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.

Equipment needed for the CGC test are your dog's brush or comb. In the CGC test, dogs must wear a buckle collar or slip collar.

In addition to testing and certifying dogs, the AKC reports there are other applications of the CGC program. Many state governments have started recognizing the CGC program as a means of advocating responsible dog ownership.

Some therapy dog groups use the CGC as a partial screening tool or prerequisite for therapy dog certifications. Some homeowners insurance programs offer discounts for CGC dogs. Also, many apartments and condos view CGC awards as a major bonus for becoming a resident.

Other countries, including England, Australia, Japan, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and Finland, have developed CGC programs based on the AKC's program.

The AKC notes the CGC may be the first step in training your dog, laying the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking and performance events. Even if you don't continue working with your dog in organized activities, training with your dog to learn the CGC skills enhances the bond between the two of you.

Closer to home, Kasey and I continue to practice the skills we learned in class. The CGC class and test was work, but also a lot of fun. We learned a lot about, and from, each other. It really did strengthen our bond.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.