AKC Canine Good Citizen Test
Available at the BEAGLE BASH
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Cost:
$20 donation to Beagle Rescue of
Who can participate:
any owner and their dog (mixed breed or pure breed) who feels their dog is a
“good citizen” (responds to basic commands and is friendly with people and other
dogs).
What will my dog and I need to do:
locate the AKC “Canine Good Citizen” area at the Beagle Bash, complete the
registration form at the location, pay a $20 donation fee to BRSM at time of
registration on the day of the Beagle Bash, and complete
successfully the 10 exercises required by the AKC.
(see attached listing of the exercises required).
What will my dog and I receive:
if you and your dog pass the Canine Good Citizen test, your dog will receive and
AKC “Canine Good Citizen” bandana, and you can send away to the AKC for your
“Canine Good Citizen” certificate.
There are many other “Canine Good Citizen” items you can then order from the AKC
(leashes, patches, ID tags…all indicating your dog is an AKC “Canine Good
Citizen”. It is also the first step
to becoming a “Therapy Dog”.
Questions? Call Debby Brannan 410-721-4282…think about giving it a try!!!
The AKC “Canine Good Citizen” TEST
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 will have one, and will
use the back of the brush to avoid any chance of passing on a health
condition)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 evaluator will have the 20 foot leash).
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.
It is not held against you or your dog if you
do not pass, you can always try again another day.
Give it a try!
All you could lose is a $20 donation to BRSM…but, you could gain a lot!!!
