Have you been bitten by puppies with needle-sharp teeth? Had to get on your hands and knees to pull a frightened Fido out from under your exam table? Have you wondered if you still had reflexes quick enough if the growling Great Dane decided to bite you? You probably have clients whose dogs need training.

Because they are the first professionals most dog owners will visit with their new dogs, veterinarians often find themselves giving advice about the need for basic training.
The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Program provides an excellent starting point for owners who want to attend training classes or teach their dogs themselves.

Started in 1989, the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. This nationally recognized program stresses responsible dog ownership and basic good manners for dogs.

All dogs, including purebreds and mixed breeds, who can pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. The CGC test is administered by more than 6,000 evaluators across the United States and many veterinarians and veterinary technicians are certified as evaluators. The 10 steps of the CGC test include: Accepting a Friendly Stranger, Sit Politely for Petting, Appearance and Grooming, Out for a Walk, Walk through a Crowd, Sit/Down/Stay in place, Coming when Called, Reaction to Another Dog, Reaction to Distractions, and Supervised Separation.

The AKC Canine Good Citizen Program is becoming widely recognized as a standard of behavior for dogs. In addition to CGC programs in vet clinics, some insurance companies will now insure breeds not otherwise insurable if the dog has the CGC award. The AKC Canine Good Citizen Program is for owners of all ages and dogs of all ages.
Canine Good Citizen training results in dogs that are easier to handle. Both owners and veterinarians can benefit from well-behaved dogs who are not only physically healthy, but behaviorally healthy as well.

For more information on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, click here or contact the CGC program by calling (919) 816-3637 or e-mailing cgc@akc.org

CGC Testing. Photos ©Mary Bloom.