Canine Good Citizen Test Tips -- Test 5

Started in 1989, AKC CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The AKC Canine Good Citizen Program®, sponsored by K9 Advantix®, is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program
Sponsored by K9 Advantix®

There are 10 tests in the AKC CGC program that your dog must pass to earn his or her CGC certification. Over the next few months, we'll be providing tips on mastering the ten steps. (See tips for Test 1, Test 2, Test 3, and Test 4.) The following is the fifth test in the 10-step series and some training tips:

Test 5: Walking through a crowd
Test 5 demonstrates that your dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places.

Training for Test 5:
Since you have already practiced loose-leash walking in your neighborhood (AKC CGC Test 4), your dog is probably used to encountering people.  If, however, there is no one around, go into town or to the local playground.  With an excitable dog, try to work up to close encounters gradually until your dog is comfortable and controllable. 

If your dog tries to go to and jump on a person passing by, you can give a tug on the collar as you give the command “heel” or some similar command that means “let’s walk.”  Praise the dog for paying attention to you.  Start this exercise by walking you dog with people at a distance and gradually move the dog closer to the people.

Look out for information on AKC CGC Test 6 in an upcoming issue of Your AKC! In the meantime, you can find more on the program here.