CGC testing
on Cape Cod.

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is the American Kennel Club’s test of everyday manners. It shows that your dog can stay calm and under control at home and out in the community.

Emily is an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, so she can give the test and sign off on a pass. Many people use the CGC as a training goal, a first step toward therapy dog work, or simply proof of how far their dog has come.

Your dog is tested on leash on ten everyday skills.

• Accepting a friendly stranger
• Sitting politely for petting
• Appearance and grooming
• Walking on a loose leash
• Walking through a crowd
• Sit, down, and stay on cue
• Coming when called
• Reaction to another dog
• Reaction to distractions
• Supervised separation from you

Once your dog has a CGC, there are two more titles to work toward. Both test the same kind of manners in harder, real-life settings, and Emily can evaluate both.

For each one, your dog must pass all ten items on leash. As with the CGC, food rewards are not used during the test, but you can talk to and praise your dog the whole way through.

This is the advanced CGC. The skills are tested out in the community or in a class setting, not in a quiet ring, so your dog has to stay polite with everyday life going on around them.

• Waiting calmly while you do something else, such as filling out a form or chatting
• Loose-leash walking with turns, a stop, and changes of pace
• Walking through a real crowd
• Walking past other dogs without pulling
• A group sit-stay with two other dogs and their people
• Accepting petting from a stranger who is carrying something
• Leaving food on the floor when asked
• Holding a sit or down while you walk away on a long line and come back
• Coming when called from 20 feet with distractions around
• Waiting politely at a doorway or narrow passage

Urban CGC tests your dog in a town or city setting, with streets, sidewalks, traffic noise, and dog-friendly buildings. On Cape Cod that can mean a village center or a main street.

• Going in and out of a dog-friendly building without pulling
• Walking through a crowd on a busy sidewalk
• Staying calm around noises, bikes, skateboards, carts, and different surfaces
• Stopping at the corner, waiting, and crossing the street under control
• Ignoring dropped food and wrappers on the sidewalk
• Being petted by a person carrying a bag
• Walking nicely inside a public building and holding a three-minute down-stay
• Using stairs or an elevator under control
• Being housetrained for apartment or town living
• Riding calmly in the car, or on other dog-friendly transport

Start with the CGC. It is the foundation, and your dog needs it on record with the AKC before earning either advanced title.

After that, choose the one that matches your life. Community Canine suits dogs who go to classes, events, trails, and busy parks. Urban CGC suits dogs who spend time in town centers, shops, and other built-up places. Many dogs go on to earn both.

Most dogs need practice before test day, especially with loose-leash walking, staying calm near other dogs, and being left with someone else for a few minutes.

Private lessons or obedience training can be built around the test items. Tell Emily which ones your dog finds hard and she will plan the practice with you.

Obedience training In-home private training

As an AKC evaluator, Emily can also evaluate AKC Trick Dog titles and offer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program for young puppies. Ask about either when you get in touch.

AKC Trick Dog titles Puppy training

Tests are arranged directly with Emily. Send a message with your dog’s age, your town, and which test you are interested in, and she will follow up with availability, location, and cost.

Dog training glossary Meet Emily