Canine Good Citizen Program (CGC)

[arentspowell]

I agree, labs want to work. I can totally understand why retrievers are so often used as service animals. They have a different skill set from herding dogs, who can work independently. Labs want to work *with* you. They are such great companions. For those who are taking their labs who are under 2 or 3 for CGC- definitely view it as a learning experience and don't get frustrated if your dog does not pass the test initially. Test day is VERY exciting for young labs. In many cases, the younger dogs could pass the test if no distractions were around but of course, that's a big part of the challenge. Have fun!

I agree with this. Some pups are able to pass it young, before they even go into the teenage phase. I would definitely take it again if my dog passed it before 2.

[Labradorks]

Reading so much about Labs, truly think they need to be challenged throughout their life. Learning new things, getting to experience different things. Definitely not a couch potato breed, unless you truly wear them out and that's where they sleep.

Don't see Labs as "smarty pants" breed. Just see a strong willed dog, that loves to be around their people, pushing their people to "play".

KAZ

Overall, I believe that Labs are very smart, but they are also very trainable and very eager to please. I don't find them particularly strong-willed. As long as you give them what they want -- love, pats, food, a ball, a tug, whatever -- they will do what you want and give you 110%. If you use more negative training methods, then yes, they will avoid you, run away, have a melt down, etc. If you bore them, drill them, make work miserable, they will hate it and that can be seen as stubborn, I suppose. But to me it speaks of their eagerness to please, their role as a worker, and sensitivity to their handler/owner.

[Labradorks]

I agree, labs want to work. I can totally understand why retrievers are so often used as service animals. They have a different skill set from herding dogs, who can work independently. Labs want to work *with* you. They are such great companions.

For those who are taking their labs who are under 2 or 3 for CGC- definitely view it as a learning experience and don't get frustrated if your dog does not pass the test initially. Test day is VERY exciting for young labs. In many cases, the younger dogs could pass the test if no distractions were around but of course, that's a big part of the challenge. Have fun!

Agree!

My youngest passed just after 6 months with distractions (four-ring show, with the utility ring with flying dumb bells right next door). BUT, I was aware of the testosterone surge around the 8, 9, 10 month mark. And, while he probably would have still passed during that time, if he was to fall in love with the test dog or another dog on-site, we may have been in big trouble. You're right though, everyone does recommend you re-test when your dog is an adult even if you pass as a pup. Because we take lots of classes and show (so we go through the sit or stand for exam, lots of heeling, distractions, out of sight stays, etc.), I don't feel the need to re-test, but I think for a typical pet owner, it would be really great to see the positive changes between puppy-hood and adult hood.

[WhoopsaDaisy]

This girl at the Doggy Daycare place bragged about her little yorkie passed the advanced CGC test. Is there an advanced CGC?
She's a nice girl but she is always encouraging me to take the training classes offered at the Doggy Daycare. They don't list a training philosophy anywhere on their website and she uses an e-collar and a prong collar on her little Yorkie. How hard to control can a yorkie be? I think of the negative training collars as last resorts if the positive training isn't effective.

[Snowshoe]

Oban got his as a pup but I'm sure he could get it again and be better at it. I posted when he got it at 9.5 months because I was so surprised he did. First, the "friendly dog" was a massive grandfathered PitBull type who gave me a scary feeling (though I know he shouldn't have) but phased Oban not one whit because a previous dog had pee'd right where we were to meet and all Oban did was sniff pee.

Before that meet he did a lovely recall marred only by a four footed jump on me at the end. Everybody watching groaned out loud but our evaluator said the rules only mentionned not jumping on her and he did recall to me.

Then at the end when he was supposed to politely sit while I opened the gate to exit he sat. And sat. And sat. It was an all breed dog show and he'd apparently got a whiff of something so wonderful it immobilized him. I spoke to him. I spoke louder. Finally I tapped him on the head and he looked up at me much as to say, "Oh, you're here too." He was so funny. I was sure we failed and was going to leave but waited to see how a friend did and was shocked we passed.

I'd been told ahead of time this was a particularly encouraging evaluator. That she did not intimidate people or dogs and seemed to have a very reassuring way about her. We signed up soon after for her obedience classes, she was/is such a great, great teacher.

[Labradorks]

Yeah, there is (below).

AKC COMMUNITY CANINE TEST
Advanced Canine Good Citizen (the "CGCA" title)

To earn the CGCA title, the dog must 1) be registered or listed with AKC (AKC number, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number) and, 2) already have a Canine Good Citizen award/title on record. Dogs must pass all 10 items of the test to receive the CGCA title.


1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner:

• sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork, or,
• if the test is done in the community, dog waits while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with
  another person (e.g., at a park)

2. Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring)–does not pull.

• left turn
• right turn
• stop
• fast and slow pace

3. Walks on loose leash through a crowd

• at a show or in class, this item is tested in a real crowd, not in a ring
• in the community, dog walks on sidewalk, through a crowd at a community fair, park, on a trail, through a busy hallway, etc.

4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.
This item may be tested along with #3 if there are dogs in the crowd, etc.

• at a show or class, dog walks by dogs waiting in the crowd–dogs 2 ft. apart
• in the community, dog walks by other dogs on a trail, sidewalk, in a hallway, etc.

5.Sit–stay in small group (3 other people with dogs).
Owners and dogs are in an informal circle/square while owners have a conversation.
Dogs are all on the owner's left side, on leash; 3 ft. apart. (At least 30 seconds)
6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it.
"May I pet your dog?" (Item is placed on floor/ground before the person pets the dog)
7. "Leave it." Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, "Leave it."
This can be food placed by the evaluator on the floor or ground in a food dish with a wire cover as in Rally.
8.Down or sit stay–distance (owner's choice).
Dog is on 20–ft line, owner walks away with back to dog, picks up an item (e.g., backpack, training bag, clipboard, folder etc.) placed on the floor/chair/ground by the evaluator and returns to the dog.
9. Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20–ft. (off center) and calls dog.
Dog is on the 20–ft. line from #8 above.

[dxboon]

Reading so much about Labs, truly think they need to be challenged throughout their life. Learning new things, getting to experience different things. Definitely not a couch potato breed, unless you truly wear them out and that's where they sleep.

Don't see Labs as "smarty pants" breed. Just see a strong willed dog, that loves to be around their people, pushing their people to "play".

KAZ

IMO Labradors are smart, but I would not put them at the apex of canine intelligence. In my experience, most Labs are not strong-willed, and that is not a traditional Labrador trait. Labradors are bred to take direction, and have a higher tolerance for repetitive tasks, so being stubborn/strong-willed is not helpful for their original breed purpose. ALL dogs, regardless of breed, need new challenges, and exposure to different things throughout their lives. I would hazard to guess that most behavioral problems people have with their dogs nowadays stem from lack of mental and physical stimulation.

[ZoeysMommy]

Overall, I believe that Labs are very smart, but they are also very trainable and very eager to please. I don't find them particularly strong-willed. As long as you give them what they want -- love, pats, food, a ball, a tug, whatever -- they will do what you want and give you 110%. If you use more negative training methods, then yes, they will avoid you, run away, have a melt down, etc. If you bore them, drill them, make work miserable, they will hate it and that can be seen as stubborn, I suppose. But to me it speaks of their eagerness to please, their role as a worker, and sensitivity to their handler/owner.

I dont find labs strong willed either, they are a breed to lives to please. As long as its positive and fun, a lab will do anything for you. Very simple (and strange) breed, give them a piece of lettuce and they do circus tricks.

[Maxx&Emma]

I agree, I would never call a Lab strong willed. Now my Lab/Border Collie mix is another story! Emma is scary smart and likes to work things out herself, not listen to me as quickly as Maxx, or any of my previous Labs do/did. My Labs have pretty much trusted me to tell them the right thing to do. Emma likes to check the situation out first, just in case she can show me how to do it better. She also herds us, Maxx and the cats, I believe her brain is pure Border Collie, lol!

[ZRabbits]

At age 7, Chase might pass his CGC. Larky? Well....

Off topic here, ZRabbits, do you ever sleep? Many of your posts are in the wee hours of the night!

Thanks for your concern Sue. Yes I do sleep but since our Son passed, we just grab sleep and food when we can. Well we learned to force ourselves to eat and sleep. Plus my husband had a really rough weekend, in lots of pain, so I do get up with him to help him through the worse of the pain. So you will see times where I'm on at odd hours. Got a good night sleep last night though. But always up early. Always did, because of being a past scuba diver. Would have to get up really early to catch the boat. Never got out of that habit. Love the quiet of the early morning. Plus it's also the bunnies time to be very active. Love watch them run around the house.

Again thanks so much for your concern.

KAZ