Canine Good Citizen Testing

The Canine Good Citizen Test is a fun, non-competitive way for dogs to show that they are calm, confident, under control and responsive to simple commands from their humans - and get an award for it! The test has specific procedures that you can work on ahead of time. With a little practice most every dog can do this!

Mixed breeds are very welcome. Dogs don't have to be purebred or registered with any registry. They can be any age, and they don't need to have attended formal obedience training. Neither dog nor human has to perform with precision.

Priority for registration is for TCOTC members & their dogs.

Dates for CGC tests at TCOTC:

2007

November 20, Tuesday (a.m.)

2008

February 28, Thursday
April 21, Monday (cancelled. Monday night Week 9 obedience classes will be held instead.)
June 4, Wednesday
October 7, Tuesday (a.m.)

Cost: $5.00

Sign up sheets will be placed on the counter in the Ring Room three weeks before the tests.



About the CGC Test

Are you and your dog ready for the Canine Good Citizen Test?

Your dog:

  • Should have proper vaccinations recommended by your veterinarian.
  • Must not growl or show aggression in or outside of the testing area.
  • Should wear either a well-fitted buckle collar, limited slip collar made of leather, fabric or chain. Harnesses, pinch collars and head collars are not permitted.

The handler:

  • May praise, pet and talk to their dog during the test. Food, toys and bait bags are not permitted.
  • May use voice and hand signals during the test but must not use the leash as a restraint.

Test 1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger

Will your dog sit calmly while you greet and shake hands with another person?

The dog should:

  • Be able to hold a position (sit, down or stand) and not show shyness.
  • Keep all four feet on the floor (not jump up or lunge toward the examiner)
  • Be able to stay in position without any restraint on the leash or collar.

Test 2. Sitting Politely for Petting

Will your dog allow a stranger to touch it on the head and body?

The dog should:

  • Be able to accept petting and show no signs of shyness.
  • Hold a position like sit, down or stand.
  • Appear to be under your voice control without leash or collar restraint.

The dog may:

  • Wiggle but not pull away from petting.
  • Appear happy and roll over but not jump, lunge or rush forward.

Test 3. Appearance and Grooming

Will your dog welcome being groomed and examined?

Your dog should:

  • Hold a position (stand, sit or down) and not pull away from the examiner.
  • Appear happy and may have body movements but nay not jump, lunge or rush forward to the examiner.
  • Appear to be under your control although it may wiggle but not so much that the examiner cannot brush on the dog.

The handler may:

  • Be given instructions by the examiner to steady the dog’s head for the ear exam. The Handler may gently hold the head.
  • Be given instructions by the examiner to lift a foot on a wiggly dog.

Test 4. Out for a Walk or Walking on a Loose Leash

Does your dog walk on a loose leash? You will be asked to walk a pattern that will include a right turn, a left turn, an about turn and two stops with the dog sitting at your side?

Your dog should:

  • Continue to walk with you without tension on the leash. (An occasional tight leash may be permitted – once or twice)
  • Be attentive to the handler who may talk or pat their leg to encourage the dog.
  • Not do excessive sniffing of the floor or be totally inattentive to the handler.

Test 5. Walking through a Crowd

Does your dog move politely about in pedestrian traffic and remain under control in public places?

The dog may:

  • Show interest in the stranger without evidence of over exuberance, shyness or resentment.
  • Show mild interest in a person but must move on promptly when the handler encourages it to keep moving.
  • Not jump on people, hide behind the handler or strain at the leash.

Test 6. Sit and Down on Command/Staying in Place

Will your dog sit and down on either a voice command or a hand signal? Will you dog stay in one place while you walk 20 feet away and return?

The handler:

  • Will attach a 20’ leash and carry your own leash with you.
  • May give multiple commands for sit and down but may not physically put the dog into position.
  • Will leave the dog in either a sit or down and walk 20’ away and return immediately.
  • Will walk 10’away and call the dog. The handler will attach their own leash to the collar when they remove the 20’ lead.

The dog:

  • Should sit and down in a reasonable amount of time.
  • May stand up during the stay but not move towards the handler.

Test 7. Coming When Called

When you call your dog, will your dog come close enough to you so that you may touch the collar?

The handler:

  • May tell the dog to wait or stay.
  • May bend down to call the dog.
    The dog:
  • May change position during the stay but not follow the handler.
  • Must come to the handler in 1-2 commands.

Test 8. Reaction to Another Dog

Will your dog sit, stand or down while you greet another person with a dog?

The handler:

  • May position their dog in either a sit, stand or down.
  • May remind their dog to stay before they shake hands with the other person.
  • Will participate in a brief conversation with the other handler.

The dog:

  • May show a casual interest in the distraction dog but may not go to or jump on the distraction dog.
  • May move slightly toward the other do/handler.
  • Should not turn around and pull towards the other dog/handler as they leave.

Test 9. Reaction to Distractions

Will your dog remain confident when faced with common distraction situations?

Examples of sound and visual distractions used at least 5 feet away from the dog and handler.

  • Person using crutches, a wheelchair or walker.
  • Sudden opening or closing of a door.
  • Dropping a pan, folded chair.
  • Jogger running in front of the dog.
  • Person pushing a cart or crate dolly.
  • Person on a bike.

The dog:

  • May show casual interest or may appear slightly startled.
  • May attempt to walk forward slightly to investigate the distracter but should not lunge or growl.
  • May bark once but should not continue.

The handler:

  • May give the dog instructions like sit, good boy, and watch me.
  • May praise the dog and give encouragement throughout the test.

Test 10. Supervised Separation

Can you leave your dog in the presence of a trusted person (handler out of sight) and will it maintain its good manners?

The dog:

  • Does not have to stay in position.
  • May walk back and forth but should not show signs of extreme stress, including panting, breathing hard, or agitation.
  • May back once or whimper a little but will not pass if the barking, whining, howling or pulling on the leash is continual.
  • Will be left with the examiner for 3 minutes.

 

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