How to Pass The AKC Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC Test)

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

The CGC Test is much easier to pass than you might think! As long as you know all the "rules", a dog with a fairly low amount of training can pass as long as they are friendly!

[@Orangeshebert]

I have no idea why more haven’t watched this video. You presented the information spectacularly. I really appreciate your help, time, and tips. Very helpful!

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Thanks for the kind words!!! Just as an FYI, we filmed a CGC Community Canine (CGCA) and an Urban CGC (CGCU) test yesterday in the Phoenix area. We will be uploading those in the next few weeks. They are just slightly more advanced CGC tests and are a lot of fun since they take place in public.

[@rmnowak99]

Thank you; I was really curious to see what the test actually looks like before I attempt it with my dog.

[@PaulaDTozer]

Great overview of this test! Thanks for sharing!

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I'm glad it was helpful! Let us know if you have any questions!

[@marycross1922]

I'm a CGC evaluator and would like to ask more questions about "How to Pass the AKC CGC Test" video. I would also like to see this same video performed with a dog that is more exuberant than Anakin, yet still passes all 10 exercises so that I could see how you, the handler, handles a dog that is less than perfect and areas where I, the CGC evaluator can observe how a handler may help (or "correct") their dog be successful. I get so many questions from handlers in preparation for their CGC regarding the Accepting a Friendly Stranger, Accepting Petting, Loose Leash Walking and Neutral Dog Exercises that I would really benefit from a training on each individual exercise, for example: steps to train a dog to "ignore the neutral dog, sit and not approach" the neutral dog, how do you proof that?? Thanks, Mary Cross

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Those are some great points Mary! We are hoping to make some more CGC videos and we could add those to the list!

[@sallyryan-sd1tg]

I’m taking my daughter’s Englishdoodle to class to be a therapy dog. Riley was trained by Nelson. He had his work cut out for him!!!! Thanks Nelson for teaching Riley the skills she needed to be a well behaved dog❣️❣️

[@sallyryan-sd1tg]

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[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

That is awesome Sally! I am excited to hear that Riley will be able to volunteer and help others!!!

[@vishakhab-l6309]

this is fantastic!!!! we need to work on the dog reactivity and the leaving part. thanks for showing this, step by step

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

I'm glad it was helpful! Does your dog pull a lot on leash when they see a dog? If so, what age/breed is your dog and what collar type do you use?

[@vishakhab-l6309]

@SuburbanK9DogTraining they are great until they see other dogs. Then it's a party 😅 lots of pulling and barking. All excitement. They love other dogs. They are both great danes. We used gentle leader. Now prong collar and we are watching your videos on how to interface the e collar safely. 😇

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

They sound like they are keeping you busy! Here is a video showing some tips on using a prong to stop leash pulling. kzbin.info/www/bejne/epXIeaWZadV2o6M The start of the video shows prong collar acclimation but it also covers the mechanics of using the prong. The little things really matter when it comes to stopping leash pulling with a big dog. Enjoy the videos and reach out with questions any time!

[@kcshr]

Glad I watched this video before our upcoming test. I am mostly nervous about the supervised separation and the reaction to another dog, since I dont have much opportunity to practice these.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Reaction to another dog is definitely one of the most challenging for the majority of dogs. Supervised separation pretty much always go well unless your dog has major separation issues. We also have videos on the CGCA and the CGCU if you are interested in learning a little more before the test (they are very similar). Good luck!

[@susanthompson552]

I don’t know if you’ve done testing yet but my friend did class with her goldendoodle and mine is a sheepadoodle. They were young puppies that took class right after final puppy shots. The one we practiced on our own before test was the meet and greet. You shake hands with other person then ask if you can pet their dog. As I’d move forward to pet other dog mine (and most) naturally come forward to join us! Got it down to keep Finley sitting as I reached out to pet other dog!

[@Pugames]

The evaluator who did a cgc exam for me required several different changes in gaits (fast, normal, slow, fast, normal). My pug was very nervous so she didn't want to go fast. Also, she started with the "touch the ears, paws" (which pugs don't like ;) which got the entire thing off on a bad start. I like your ordering. Is the change of pace not required?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Hi! Changing the speed is not part of the test. The AKC actually tells evaluators not to make the test any harder than the written instructions. Although being able to change speed easily is a great thing for a dog to learn, I don't think it should be added to a CGC test. Regarding the test order, we always run them from 1-10 just for predictability. This helps the evaluator and the owner know exactly what is coming at any point in time.

[@ddeecf2]

Your video is very descriptive, just one question during the second test , What if my dog is not aggressive nor reactive but she doesn’t like to be pet ?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Great question! Your dog needs to allow the person to pet them without showing "shyness or resentment" in the words of the AKC. If your dog sits there quietly and doesn't seem thrilled but doesn't try and move away I would consider that a pass.

[@valeriesnyder1612]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining we're testing soon, and my dog does not like having the top of her head pet by strangers. She usually backs up if someone tries to go for the top of her head. She does, however, enjoy having her chin or chest scratched. Am I able to encourage the evaluator to scratch her chin instead of the top of her head during the test?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

@@valeriesnyder1612 Most evaluators won't have an issue with that at all. I don't ever pet a strange dog on top of the head because it isn't the proper way to greet dogs in my opinion. When I do evaluations I put my hand out and allow the dog to smell it and then scratch under their chin. Hopefully your evaluator is on board with that!

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

Question: why would you say the supervised isolation is the easiest? I find the dogs that fail the test are due to the supervised isolation and the reaction to another dog. I also thought the dogs had to walk past each other, like handler past handler - dogs on the outside. Any suggestions for practicing this if you have a dog that really stares or wants to say hi?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

We have administered tests for years and have never had one of our client dogs fail the supervised separation section. The expectations for that section are fairly low. The dog can be a little stressed they just can't cause a scene. We do see a lot of fails on the reaction to another dog section though. That is a section that is easy to fail because the expectations are so high. There are a few things you can work on to make a pass more likely on the reaction to another dog section. I would work on a strong heel command in any situation you can think of to increase their proficiency with the command. Practice heeling past members of your family, hot dogs on the floor, your neighbors dog etc. You can also practice the heel command when someone rings your doorbell. If your dog can listen in an exciting situation like that they test should be much easier to pass. I hope this helps!

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining thank you. Guess we have a lot of dogs extremely attached to their Moms. Should be a bit easier now that the person can interact to at least try to put them at ease. Will try the solid, heel then for the reaction to another dog. Thank you again.

[@kimcronic766]

the dogs do have to walk past each other.

[@samariagraham4502]

Thank you.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Absolutely! Let us know if you have any questions about the test!

[@debnelson5472]

Are handlers permitted to give their dog treats during the testing?

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

You cannot give them treats during any of the test items. If you wanted to give them treats in between test items I think most if not all evaluators would allow that.

[@1packatak]

@@SuburbanK9DogTrainingevery CGC test I have done (6) has not allowed any treats in the exam area.

[@amandarogers12]

The only thing I don't agree with is that the dog already knows the evaluator, so it's not a typical real-life situation

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Good point, and agreed that generally your dog won't know the evaluator when taking the CGC test. That being said, it is not an issue for the evaluator to know the dog being tested. The main thing is to just avoid a conflict of interest. You can't test your own dog of course but you can test a dog that you know as long as you are impartial. All of that being said, the overall goal of this video is to show each test part in full detail and explain what constitutes a pass and fail for each section. I hope it helped and thanks for watching!

[@TheRealSeeJ]

I think the video is to show the process. He mentioned, although inadvertently, that some areas dogs seem to fail more often and areas that dogs struggle while working with this one indicating that there is some level of familiarity.

[@yogaqueen1527]

I just read that test is not mandatory

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

Mandatory for what?

[@yogaqueen1527]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining not sure if this is the same testing for service dogs. I read those test are not mandatory. So you don't have to do them.

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

The laws governing service dogs created something like the Wild West. Absolutely no testing or certification is required for a service dog. The CGC test is meant for people who want to show their dog is well mannered in public. Most people who take the CGC test have the goal of making their dog a therapy dog. Many places require a CGC certificate if you want to bring your dog there to do therapy work (libraries, hospitals, etc.). I hope I explained that well 😃

[@yogaqueen1527]

@@SuburbanK9DogTraining thanks for explaining it to me. Yeah the service dogs not needing testing, no certification, no vest to identify its a service animal is insane to me. It's like anything goes

[@SuburbanK9DogTraining]

It feels kinda crazy and definitely leads to a lot of abuse with people having fake "service dogs". The airlines have had a tough go of it over the last few years with tons of people bringing on "service dogs" that are untrained and ill-mannered.