The supervised separation task on the Canine Good Citizen Test prepares you and your dog for leaving your dog with a friend for a few minutes while you grab a coffee or run to the restroom. While this friend may know you, this person may be a stranger to your dog.

You want your dog to calmly wait for you. Not only does training for this task help your dog continue to show good manners, it also creates a safer environment. The last thing you want is your dog straining at the end of a leash when he sees you approaching after a brief absence.

Task #10: Supervised Separation

The AKC description of this tenth test reads:

“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. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g. “there, there, it’s alright”).”

According to the CGC Evaluator Guide, the evaluator considers eight points during this test:

The dog does not have to stay in position.
If the dog continually barks, whines, or howls, it should not be passed.
The dog should not pace unnecessarily, should not show signs of agitation.
A dog that simply walks back and forth and looks for the handler is passed. There should be no signs of extreme stress, including panting, breathing hard, etc.
If a dog begins to look very upset or distressed (barking, whining, panting, pacing, pulling), the test should be terminated. The CGC test is an activity that should be fun. We do not want dogs or handlers to have a bad experience with the CGC test. If a dog is extremely distressed, training is needed. (This training should not be done during testing.) This one incident of giving in to the dog’s insecure behavior is not enough to cause any lasting effect. The owner should be told nicely that separation is an issue for the dog and that some training would help the dog feel more secure.
If the Evaluator for Item 10 is sitting in a chair and a small dog tries to climb into the Evaluator’s lap, the Evaluator should stand up.
If a dog pulls on its leash (trying to get away) it should not be passed.
Any dog that urinates or defecates during testing should not be passed. The exception to this is in Test 10 when the test is outdoors, or between exercises (e.g., the dog urinates on a bush while being walked to the next test station). Dogs should not stop to relieve themselves while they are working with the handler in the exercises.

Watch the video below for a few quick demonstrations of what supervised separation looks like during the CGC Test.

Disclaimer

Before you start reading the training tips, please remember I am not a professional dog trainer. I am a dog parent just like you who wants my dog living up to CGC expectations for being a well-mannered pup in public. I’ve pulled these tips from a variety of sources, including online videos, webinars, books, and dog obedience classes I’ve attended. I’ve used all of the tips I suggest, but not all of these ideas may be right for you or your dog.

If you’re serious about wanting your dog to be a good neighbor, you should absolutely 100% be working with a professional dog trainer. Read more about why working with a professional dog trainer is one of the best decisions you’ll make for you and your dog. Once you’ve found a professional dog trainer who understands you and your goals, then online resources can serve as helpful reminders and inspiration.

Practice supervised separation in short bursts

If you’re not sure how your dog will react to being separated from you in an environment outside your home, start small.

Ask a friend who knows your dog to be a friendly stranger. Over time you can introduce your dog to other friends who your dog has not met or does not know well.
Leave your dog with your friend for 30 seconds.
Walk around a corner or behind a wall; a place where you can still hear your dog.
If you hear your dog barking or whining excessively, then 30 seconds is too long of a separation time.
For dogs who struggle with the separation, shorten the amount of time you leave your dog, but increase the number of times you practice within a five minute practice session.
For dogs who do well with the 30-second separation, increase the time in 30-second to one minute increments.

Establish a routine for leaving your dog

If your dog recognizes a pattern every time you leave him with one of your friends, he should relax more easily over time.

Decide if you want to place your dog in a sit, down, or standing position when you leave him.
Consider carefully whether or not you want to add the stay command. If you think your dog will break the stay over three minutes of waiting for you, give a different parting message.
Try saying something like “I’ll be back” without the Terminator inflection. If your dog gets used to you saying “I’ll be back” every time you leave your home or leave him with another person, he’ll learn the phrase over time.
Once you turn away from your dog, avoid turning back for a last look. Just go around the corner or into another room or wherever you need to be.

Reunite calmly with your dog

You want to be as neutral as possible when you’re walking back toward your dog.

You don’t want your dog suddenly pulling to the end of his leash to get to you. He needs to maintain his composure. If you think your dog’s enthusiasm for seeing you might be a challenge, here are some tips:

Avoid looking directly at your dog.
Hold up your hand in a stay gesture.
Walk purposefully, so you reach your dog quickly without making your dog more excited.
If your dog is behaving calmly, or trying to contain his enthusiasm, look over his head, reach out to pet him on his shoulders or other neutral location to let him know that he’s reacting the way you want.
When you’re practicing supervised separation, be sure to use treats to reinforce a calm reunion. If you see a big improvement in one reunion, give your dog a jackpot of treats to reward that desired behavior even more.

How to Pass the Canine Good Citizen Test Graphic

Find real world places for practicing

Once your dog begins understanding that being left with one of your friends is just a reality of exploring, you’ll want to practice supervised separation in some natural circumstances that are likely to occur.

Meet a friend or group of friends for coffee. You can leave your dog with one person outside to order your drink or run to the restroom.
Likewise, meet a friend or group at a dog-friendly restaurant. While your dog waits on the patio, you can go inside to use the bathroom, even if you’re just washing your hands.
If you’re walking around a park with a friend, ask them to watch your dog while you use the restroom.
Get together with a friend and your dog at a farmer’s market. Your friend could take your dog’s leash at one booth while you keep walking.

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