Welcome to Canine Good Citizen Class
Our Canine Good citizen is a 7-week curriculum for dogs 6 months & older that have successfully completed Basic Obedience.
We are currently enrolling for our March Class
Our Class Schedule: Tuesday, March 7 (8 pm-9 pm)
Location: Dog Gone Happy
Address: 7041 Old Wake Forest rd. 27616 (Across from BJ’s Triangle Plantation shopping Center)
Cost: $240 for the entire 7-week session.
First Class is orientation without the dogs.
The course prepares students and their dogs to take the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, a certification program designed to reward dogs who demonstrate good manners at home and in the community.
Passing the CGC test has many benefits. For example, it can expedite acceptance into Animal Assisted Therapy programs, advanced behavioral or agility classes, or even doggie daycare or boarding facilities. More valuable than the piece of paper, however, is the peace of mind that your dog is a mannerly, well-behaved member of your household – and the community at large.
Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you’ll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog.
Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high-quality life.
The AKC CGC Class has ten skills that must be mastered by all dogs that successfully complete it. These skill exercises are done on leash, and consist of the following:
Test 1: Accepting A Friendly Stranger
The dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation.
Test 2: Sitting Politely for Petting
The dog will allow a friendly stranger to pet it while it is out with its handler.
Test 3: Appearance and Grooming
The dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so.
Test 4: Out for A Walk (walking on a loose lead)
The handler/dog team will take a short “walk” to show that the dog is in control while walking on a leash.
Test 5: Walking Through a Crowd
The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three) to demonstrate that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places.
Test 6: Sit and Down on Command and Staying in Place
The dog will respond to the handler’s commands to 1) sit, 2) down and will 3) remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers).
Test 7: Coming When Called
The dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog.
Test 8: Reaction to Another Dog
To demonstrate that the dog can behave politely around other dogs, two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet.
Test 9: Reaction to Distraction
To demonstrate the dog is confident when faced with common distracting situations, the evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane.
Test 10: Supervised Separation
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.
Our Class Schedule: Tuesday, March 7 (8 pm -9 pm)
Location: Dog Gone Happy
Address: 7041 Old Wake Forest rd. 27616 (Across from BJ’s Triangle Plantation shopping Center)
Cost: $240 for the entire 7-week session.
