How to Pass the Canine Good Citizen Test
/The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program boasts over 1 million dogs who have passed the CGC test. If you’re a responsible dog owner looking to build your relationship with your dog, then investing a little time in training CGC skills is well worth your time.
Not only will you and your dog form a stronger bond, your dog will be a well-mannered canine good neighbor at home and in your community.
If you’re considering volunteering with your dog as a therapy dog team, passing the Canine Good Citizen test is a solid first step in demonstrating that your dog is a good canine citizen.
What does Canine Good Citizen mean?
A canine good citizen is a dog who knows how to be well-behaved at home, in public, and around other dogs. The two-part CGC program includes a pledge from the handler to be a responsible dog owner, and the CGC exam that tests the dog on ten basic skills.
In 1989, the American Kennel Club began their Canine Good Citizen program. According to the CGC Evaluator Guide, “the purpose of the CGC Program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community because it has been trained to be well behaved in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs.”
What are the requirements for the Canine Good Citizen Program?
You must read and sign the Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge that ensures you will be responsible for your dog’s health, safety, and quality of life as well as promising that your dog will not infringe upon the rights of others. Read the entire Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge here.
You and your dog must pass all ten tasks on the Canine Good Citizen test.
What is on the Canine Good Citizen test?
The CGC test has ten steps or tasks. You and your dog must pass all ten of these steps for a passing score.
If you fail one of the tasks, your evaluator may let you try again at the end of the testing period for a passing score that same day. If you fail more than one task, you may retest again in the future.
Task #1: Accepting a friendly stranger: Your dog must sit politely by your side while a friendly stranger approaches you and shakes your hand. Your dog may not rush to greet the stranger or show signs of resentment, aggression, or shyness.
Task #2: Sitting politely for petting: Your dog must sit politely by your side as a friendly stranger pets him. Your dog may stand once petting begins, but may not jump on the person or rush toward them.
Task #3: Appearance and grooming: Your dog must show that he will allow a friendly stranger to handle his front paws, check his ears, and gently brush his coat.
Task #4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead): Your dog must show that he’s paying attention to you while walking on a leash. He must appropriately respond to your movements and changes in direction.
Task #5: Walking through a crowd: Your dog must show that he can move politely in a public space and remain under your control. While your dog may show interest in people, he may not jump on them, pull toward them, or hide behind you.
Task #6: Sit and down on command and staying in place: Your dog must show that he listens to your commands to sit, to lie down, and to stay while you walk 20 feet away.
Task #7: Coming when called: You dog must demonstrate his recall ability. Your dog must show that he will come when called from 10 feet away.
Task #8: Reaction to another dog: Your dog must show that he will behave politely when another person and their dog approach you. You will need to stop to shake the other person’s hand and exchange a few words while your dog shows nothing more than awareness of the other dog’s presence.
Task #9: Reaction to distraction: Your dog must show he’s confident when presented with distractions, both visual and auditory. While your dog may notice the distractions, he may not overreact by panicking, pulling at his leash, or barking excessively.
Task #10: Supervised separation: Your dog must show that he can be left with a friendly stranger, and maintain good behavior for three minutes.
What dogs may take the CGC test?
Any dog of any age may take the Canine Good Citizen test.
This AKC program is truly inclusive of all breeds, including mixed breed dogs. The only requirement for each dog is that its owner must be the person who tests with the dog.
If you’re fostering a dog, or you work or volunteer at an animal shelter, you may train dogs for the CGC-Ready program. Read more about CGC-Ready here.
How do I find a CGC Evaluator?
The AKC maintains a list of all AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluators by state here.
Be sure to check with local breed clubs as well. While each breed club celebrates their favorite breed, classes are often open to any dog, including mixed breed dogs. The AKC maintains a list of obedience dog clubs by state here.
How long does the CGC test take?
Generally, the CGC test items are assessed pretty quickly. Plan to spend approximately 30 minutes with your dog demonstrating the skills you’ve learned.
If time is a factor, ask your evaluator how they plan to structure the test because that will affect how long the test can take. Some evaluators may schedule individual tests at 30 minute intervals. Others may set up several stations with more than one evaluator to test a group of dogs.
Where are CGC tests held?
CGC tests may be held indoors or outdoors.
If you’ve taken a CGC class, then the test may be administered during the last class as a graduation event.
Some evaluators will schedule CGC tests during dog shows or dog-friendly community events.
The CGC test may not be held at the home or in the yard of the dog’s owner.
What equipment do I need for the CGC Test?
You should have your dog’s collar, leash, and brush with you on test day.
Buckle or slip collars, including martingales, may be made of leather, fabric, or chain.
Body harnesses may be used as long as they do not restrict the dog’s movement. To be on the safe side, ask your evaluator for approval before test day.
Leashes may be made of leather or fabric.
The grooming brush may be any brush you use to groom your dog
What items are not allowed on the test?
Pinch collars
Head collars, including gentle leaders
Electronic collars
Retractable leashes
Treats
Toys
RELATED READING:
Helpful Supplies for Canine Good Citizen Training
Am I allowed to use treats during the CGC test?
No.
No treats.
No toys.
No soaking your hands in bacon grease before the test:)
Am I allowed to praise my dog during the test?
Absolutely!
You may encourage and praise your dog as much as you like. If you have certain phrases or hand signals that your dog knows, you may use those to better communicate with your dog.
For instance, if your dog knows that “Let’s go” means stop sniffing the ground and let’s get back to walking, you may use that phrase to help your dog during the loose-leash walking tests.
What behaviors would cause my dog to fail the CGC test?
not being able to perform individual CGC criteria for the ten test items
growling, snapping, attacking, biting
appearing overly nervous or aggressive
barking at distractions
eliminating
How do I train for Canine Good Citizen?
If your dog does not know basic commands like sit, down, stay, and come, then start with learning basic obedience skills in a formal class with a professional dog trainer.
For you, understand that dog training classes help you understand how to communicate with your dog. Your dog trainer will observe how you interact with your dog and offer suggestions to help you encourage your dog to be successful.
Learning how to speak dog is not easy. Give yourself and your dog the gift of time. Make time for weekly obedience classes.
At least 5x each week, make time to practice your obedience class homework. If you apply what you’ve been learning in class, over time, you will see results.
Not sure how to find time to train your dog at home?
I get that. After struggling to find 20-30 minute blocks of time to train our first puppy, I decided to just use a few minutes here and there to practice our obedience homework with our pup. I put all my suggestions for how I found short bursts of time to train Bernie into our FREE ebook: Practical Dog Training Tips for Busy People.
If you and your dog already know basic obedience skills, then you can start CGC training at home or combine practice at home with a CGC class.
If you need ideas for different CGC exercises and games to practice with your dog at home, I’ve got ten more articles for you. Each article below offers training tips for each specific CGC criteria.
How do I find a CGC training class?
You’ll want to find an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator who offers a CGC class. The AKC maintains a list of all CGC Evaluators by state here.
Depending on the size of your city, the list of trainers may be quite long. Ask your trusted dog professionals, like veterinarians, groomers, and dog walkers, for names of dog trainers they recommend and cross reference against the AKC list.
RELATED READING:
Canine Good Citizen Training Tips: Preparing for a CGC Class
How long does it take to prepare for the CGC test?
That amount of time varies for every dog and their owner.
Some dogs learn skills quickly and possess incredibly relaxed dispositions. Those dogs may be the type who understand basic commands. They attend a dog-friendly community event where CGC testing is offered. The handler gives the test a try and the dog passes. Wahoo!
Other dogs may require more training. I know our Australian Labradoodle Bernie needed time and consistency to get his Doodle enthusiasm under control.
We spent his first year learning basic obedience skills. After he turned two, I started practicing CGC requirements more frequently. We gave CGC a shot and failed. We spent the next 12+ months training as consistently as we could. In March 2020, Bernie and I passed our CGC test.
If your life is hectic or speaking dog is a bit more of a mystery to you, then the two biggest factors that will determine your success with CGC dog training will be how much time you spend practicing, and how consistently you require your dog to maintain those training expectations in all aspects of your life together.
Can my dog and I retake the test if we fail?
Yes!
You and your dog may retake the Canine Good Citizen test as many times as you need.
On test day, if you and your dog fail only one test, the evaluator may retest that one skill at the end of the testing period. If you and your dog can demonstrate that you really do know that one skill, you’ll pass the CGC test.
However, if you fail two or more test items, you will have to retest on another day.
Even with regular training and consistent expectations, you or your dog may be nervous or have a bad day, so here are two things to keep in mind:
Even if you fail two test items, ask if you may complete the CGC test. You’ll be disappointed, but channel that sigh into a learning experience. Pay attention during the other test tasks to see what you do well as a team and what else you may still need to work on.
Have paper or your phone nearby at the end of the test. The evaluator will probably comment on the strengths and weaknesses that they saw during your test. Ask them what’s their best training tip for you and your dog and be sure to capture all that feedback.
What are the benefits of passing the CGC test?
A stronger bond with your dog.
Peace of mind that your dog knows how to behave in your community and around other dogs.
Some insurance companies (pet, home, renters) offer discounts for canine good citizens.
If you’re thinking about therapy dog work, many certification organizations either require or look favorably on the CGC title.
If you’re applying for a new rental apartment or home, introducing your dog as an official canine good citizen may help your application process.
If you enjoy traveling with your dog, inquire with hotels about discounts for canine good citizens.
For $25 you may request the official AKC CGC title, which includes a certificate. You will need to have your dog registered at the AKC for the official title. All dogs may register with the AKC. Read more about how to register your mixed-breed dog here.
The AKC also sells some fun CGC gear, like rosettes, identification tags, medals, and patches. If creating or adding to your brag wall about your dog, then earning the CGC title definitely gives you some options for decorating.
Once you and your dog pass the Canine Good Citizen test, you can continue your CGC education with AKC Community Canine, which is like an advanced version of CGC, and AKC Urban CGC, which tailors test items to the busier and louder environment of an active city.
