|
| |
 |
CGC
Training/Testing
|
 |
| |
Information
on CGC certification per the AKC
CGC
Test Items
Before
taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign
the
Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible
dog
ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing
the pledge,
owners agree to take care of their dog's health needs, safety,
exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also agree
to show
responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after
their dogs in
public places and never letting dogs infringe on the rights
of others.
After
signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their
dogs
are ready to take the CGC Test. Items on the Canine Good
Citizen Test
include:
Test
1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to
approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation.
The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in
a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake
hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of
resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the
evaluator.
Test
2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that
the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it
is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the
handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on
the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout
the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must
not show shyness or resentment.
Test
3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates
that 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. It also demonstrates the
owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator
inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must
appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy
and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used
on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in
a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each
front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position
during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it
and give encouragement throughout.
Test
4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates
that the handler is in control of the dog. The
dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should
leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is
responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog
need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when
the handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may
direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In
either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn
with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler
may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in
a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if
desired.
Test
5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog
can move about politely in
pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and
handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three).
The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to
walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or
resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the
dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd
or strain on the leash.
Test
6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the
handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place
commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler
prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner
chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this
test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler
may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to
get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the
dog has responded to the handler's commands. The handler may not force
the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance.
When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and
walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a
natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it
may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to
release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.
Test
7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that 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. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog
to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or
they
may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
Test
8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates 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. The dogs should show no more than casual
interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its
handler.
Test
9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog
is confident at all times 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. The dog may express natural
interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should
not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler
may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
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. The dog does not have to stay in position but
should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show
anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may
talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or
management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's alright").
Equipment
All tests
must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting
buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain.
Special
training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, etc.
are not
permitted in the CGC test. We recognize that special training
collars
may be very useful tools for beginning dog trainers, however,
we feel
that dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the point at
which they are
transitioned to regular collars.
The
evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler
should bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers
may use praise and encouragement throughout the test.
The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and treats
are not
permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky
toys, etc. to
get the dog to do something. We recognize that food and
toys may
provide valuable reinforcement or encouragement during
the training
process but these items should not be used during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog
that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The only
exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable
in test Item
10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog
that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a
person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be
dismissed from
the test.
copyright AKC
http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm
|
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
|
|
|