The AKC has put together a small test that they feel all dogs should be able to pass to be "good citizens". This is our current Canine Good Citizen test. It consist of several things.
From the AKC website:
Welcome to the AKC's Canine
Good CitizenŽ (CGC) Program. Started in 1989, the CGC is a certification
program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the
community. The Canine Good CitizenŽ Program is a two-part program that stresses
responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs
who pass the CGC test receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club and as
of January 1, 1999, they are automatically recorded in the AKC's Canine Good
Citizen Archive.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE VISIT www.akc.org
FOR MORE INFO
ON THIS GREAT PROGRAM.