A follow up to the STAR program.
At the AKC, we believe that all dogs can be good dogs, and all owners can be great owners, all it takes is a little bit of training, lots of love, and of course, plenty of praise along the way.
That’s why we created the Canine Good Citizen™ (CGC) program: an expert-made training program designed to help you and your dog be the best you can be–together.
Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners.
Who Can Participate in CGC?
CGC is open to all dogs–purebred and mixed breed. There are no age minimums or limits for participating in the Canine Good Citizen program, because yes, you can always teach an old dog new tricks!
With that being said, we also know that training a puppy can be very different than training an adult dog. Check out our specialized training program for puppies, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, which teaches the basics to get your puppy off to a good start and is an excellent first in-person training class.
Training Resources
Every dog (and human!) learns differently. Start here to find CGC group classes offered by AKC Clubs and at all Petco locations! Also, explore our AKC.tv video series to try your hand at practicing some CGC skills at home.
Take the CGC Test
Whether you and your dog have completed CGC classes, worked with a private trainer or practiced at home, when you’re ready, the next step is to take the 10-point CGC test with a approved evaluator in your area.
Beyond CGC
Your journey doesn’t have to end once you and your dog earn your Canine Good Citizen award. There are several other training activities in which you can continue to grow your skills and enjoy fun and rewarding activities together.
AKC Family Dog Program
Fun fact: CGC is a core part of the AKC Family Dog Program, an umbrella program designed to help dogs and their owners develop a lifelong bond and become well-socialized members of the community. AKC Family Dog includes the 4 levels of the Canine Good Citizen program: AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, and AKC Urban CGC. AKC Family Dog also includes other fun activities for you and your canine family member like AKC Therapy Dog, AKC Trick Dog, AKC FIT DOG and the AKC Temperament Test. After CGC, you and your dog can simply enjoy a happy, healthy life together, or move on to advanced levels of the Family Dog Program, like AKC Community Canine or AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen.
AKC Community Canine
The AKC Community Canine program is all about ensuring you have a well-behaved dog while you’re out and about in the community. Where CGC happens in a simulated environment, the 10-step AKC Community Canine test is conducted in real life situations—like walking on a busy sidewalk or through a local park–giving you and your dog the confidence to enjoy everyday to the fullest, no matter what comes your way.
AKC Urban CGC
Another step beyond the basic CGC test is the AKC Urban CGC title, which tests your CGC skills in an active city or town setting. There are 10-steps to the test that your dog must pass to earn the official AKC Urban CGC title, but it is administered in a place where there are cars, streets to be crossed, noises, and fast-paced distractions.
And more... remember you & your puup's bond can take you on new adventures!
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