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Canine Good Citizen Program

The American Kennel Club started the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program in 1989 as a means of rewarding dogs who were well-behaved companions at home and in the community. The goals of the CGC Program are to 1) teach responsible dog ownership to owners and 2) provide basic training and good manners to dogs.

A key component of the CGC Program is the 10-step CGC Test. All dogs who pass the CGC Test receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. The 10 steps are:

Step 1:   Accept a friendly stranger
Step 2:   Sit politely for petting
Step 3:   Appearance and grooming
Step 4:   Walk on a loose leash
Step 5:   Walk through a crowd
Step 6:   Sit and down on command/Staying in place
Step 7:   Come when called
Step 8:   Reaction to another dog
Step 9:   Reactions to distractions
Step 10: Supervised separation

To find our more about the Canine Good Citizen Program, you can contact your local dog training club or contact the American Kennel Club and request a free information kit.

AKC, Canine Good Citizen
PO Box 37914
Raleigh, NC 27627
919-233-9767
www.akc.org