Canine Good Citizen (CGC)/Canine Good Neighbour (CGN)
In the U.S.: In Canada:- Canadian Kennel Club Canine Good Neighbour Program (CGN)
- CCGCT Canadian Canine Good Citizen TestTM Responsible Dog Owners of Canada has announced that it has taken legal ownership of the Canadian Canine Good Citizen TestT (CCGCTT) and is working to re-introduce the program across Canada.
These are certification programs that test dogs that have the training and demeanor to be reliable family members as well as good-standing community members. The testing takes place in a busy public area, such as a shopping mall. Testing includes the following:
- Accepting a friendly stranger The owner of the dog shakes hands with a friendly stranger.
- Patiently sitting for petting A test for shyness and resentment.
- Appearance & grooming The owner's care and sense of responsiblity is seen in how his dog is kept.
- Out for a walk Illustrating handler's control of the dog.
- Walking through a crowd Demonstrating how the dog moves in a crowd without unduly distress and under his owner's control.
- Commands Sit, Down, Stay, Come. Illustrating that the dog has been trained and responds well.
- Praise/interactions Illustrating the relationship between dog and owner.
- Reaction to passing dogs Demonstrates if the dog behaves politely around other dogs.
- Distractions Demonstrates the dog's confidence when faced with common distractions.
- Supervised isolation Demonstrates whether the dog can be left with someone other than his usual handler and still maintain training and good manners.
Any dog that jumps up on a person, lunges at another dog or displays unruly behaviour is automatically disqualified.
Note: CGC is a requirement for most therapy-dog programs.
For more information, visit the following websites:
The Canine Good Citizen : Every Dog Can Be One, 2nd Edition
by Jack Volhard, Wendy Volhard