Canine Good Citizen Test: Questions

[JenC]

I've had a number of different evaluators over the years do our CGC's. The MAIN goal is for a happy, well-adjusted dog that's good in a public setting. Happy and kissing is OK. Fearful or aggressive is not. These tests are not STRICT. And you can talk to the dog all you want. Approaching another dog....sit...good dog...stay....stay...whatever you want. The passing encounter with the person having another dog takes as long as it takes to sit the dog, shake hands with person and then move on your way.

Your dog is ready. Don't worry.

[Jeff]

Hemi and I have passed it 3 times, Meh we were bored.
First time he took the test we got up early, went hiking,swimming and basically wore his butt out. He was very well behaved. I took it second time to make sure. 3rd time. Was bored took a class it was part of class. 3rd one was actually best one though.

Now that being said every time I took it, it was different. First time I took it he was tired and there was only 3 people in class, we all knew each other.

3rd time absolute best one where I felt he really passed the trainer scheduled all our tests 20 min apart. We had to wait outside. She was the evaluator. She brought in people to pet and groom and so on that non of us ever met. Even the dogs for the handshake part was new. For the crowd she also had a high energy 10 year old girl in there so yeah hard test. Not everyone passed but I really felt that was fair. The test is to put them in real world situations

[Maxx&Emma]

I found this test to be fairly easy with Maxx and he was young. I made sure he was well exercised before his test and he aced it. Having said that, I do think it depends on who is doing the evaluation. I have seen some doing the evaluating to be tough and others not so much. I have actually been surprised at the range of what is "acceptable". I agree with Jen, I think this should be a test of a well adjusted, even-tempered, happy dog.

[TuMicks]

Good to know. I worry that RD would not handle completely strange dogs in the hand-shake deal. But she's getting better every week and maybe she's better than I imagine she is. Still, we should probably use every opportunity to practice some more.

[Maxx&Emma]

Good to know. I worry that RD would not handle completely strange dogs in the hand-shake deal. But she's getting better every week and maybe she's better than I imagine she is. Still, we should probably use every opportunity to practice some more.

Every test I have watched has been with a strange dog and strange, unknown to the dog, people. Every time the instructor has deliberately leaned down and gotten in the dog's face while petting them. I have seen some extremes in the "crowd" of strangers as well. Younger kids, jumping around, squealing, people using baby talk, etc. They were trying to engage/distract the dog that is testing. At least the baby talk did not happen when Maxx tested thankfully, he probably would have failed at that time. He can handle it now but it was a real weakness when he was a puppy. (I think that is pretty normal though.) Maybe you can watch a few evaluations at the facility you intend to test your dog at, even better if you can observe the person doing the tests! (Is that cheating?!)

[Snowshoe]

LOL, I'll tell you about Oban's test. I really wonder how he passed but I'm not too proud to take it. Now, it was outside at an all breed dog show. Completely new place to him, new people, new dogs.

We were the last pair to test together, an American Eskimo and us. Before us a female dog had peed on the grass and when we met the strange dog and person Oban ended up right at the pee spot. He never even looked at the person or the dog. Evidently long gone girl pee smell is more interesting than real live dog sitting so near.

At #10 the other lady and I hid behind a van and as if on cue all the huskies at the show started up a communal howl. Both dogs just sat and looked and listened. As far as I know Oban had never heard any dog howl before, let alone however many there were that day. Whew.

In the recall he bounded toward me and jumped on me. The evaluator consulted her rules and they only say the dog can't jump on her. Whew.

Part of the test was the exit from the ring. The dog is supposed to sit till you say he can get up and walk out with you. Oban sat. And sat. And sat. He wouldn't get up and leave. He was looking and sniffing and quite content to sit there and continue looking and sniffing the air. I eventually tapped him on the head (pets are allowed) to get his attention so we could leave.

The evaluator was quite forgiving. Whew.


Oh, and that's the day he met my friend the agility judge and tried to pee on her leg. It was before our test and I wondered if she'd tell on us and we'd fail but I guess she was too busy to tell. LOL

[windycanyon]

I'm not sure if they've changed the rules lately (again) or not, but AKC used to allow a "re-do" on an exercise at the evaluator's discretion. The only thing that is a real NO is if a dog potties in an indoor venue.
Again, if you are concerned about the friendly stranger / dog thing, the firm "leave it" (or even sit if "sit means sit"!) command is essential. Practice makes perfect as they say. This is just manners... Once you get this one, there is now a community CGC test (more distractions as in a dog show) to do. I have to say I've not tested any of my dogs in years now, but figure if they can behave at obed and rally trials, they are doing pretty well.

[Annette47]

I have to say I've not tested any of my dogs in years now, but figure if they can behave at obed and rally trials, they are doing pretty well.

LOL ... this is why I’ve never done a CGC ... all of mine have Obedience titles, so I figure that should count! I do think for people who don’t compete in Obed/Rally, a CGC is a good goal to aim for.

[barry581]

As funny as it may sound, I knew nothing about CGC, Rally or OB 3 years ago. When Bruce arrived, and was showing amazing (for a Lab pup) skills and temperment, a friend of mine suggested getting a CGC for Bruce. He got it at just under 6 months, plus a STAR puppy. The instructor for our CGC class recommended that we try Rally. The rest is history.

Honestly, what I learned with Bruce was amazing. And we were only getting better as I learned more and he was maturing. Bruce's loss has left a hole in my heart that may never heal. But I owe it to him to keep moving forward, and keep on learning all I can. I plan on taking Sophie to the classes Bruce and I were doing, to help both of us to benefit and learn from all the things Bruce and I did. It will also help when I decide it's time to get another puppy.

Bruce's death will not be in vain. I can't count the things he taught me. Bruce made me a better human, and it's my mission now to do everything I can to go forward. All I can say is Sophie and the next puppy I have will have Bruce to thank for everything that I can give them.

[TuMicks]

Bruce's death will not be in vain. I can't count the things he taught me. Bruce made me a better human, and it's my mission now to do everything I can to go forward. All I can say is Sophie and the next puppy I have will have Bruce to thank for everything that I can give them.

Amen. Beautifully said.