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 10
Item Test:
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® (CGC)
Program
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. For collars,
dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars
made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training
collars such as pinch collars, head halters, and
electronic collars are not permitted in the CGC
test.
As of November 4, 2010, body harnesses may be used
in the CGC test. The evaluator should check to make
sure the harness is not of a type that completely
restricts the dog's movement such that it could not
pull or jump up if it tried.
We recognize that special training collars such as
head collars and no-jump harnesses 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 equipment
that allows the evaluator to see that the dog has
been trained.
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
Dogs must pass all 10 test items to pass. 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.
Remember: The readiness
of your dog is based on the amount of time,
dedication and willingness to training him or her.
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Concho
Kennel Club
Canine
Good Citizen Class & Test
Valerie
Tillery
Classes + Test
