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AKC Virtual Home Manners Title

What is it?

The American Kennel Club’s Virtual Home Manners test is all about your dog’s practical manners while in the home. This has 10 test items

Requirements

Tests can be done virtually over video recordings or in person. Dogs of any age can participate. There is a puppy and an adult version of the test. If your dog is under 1 year of age, you can take both tests if you would like!

  • Adult Title:

    1. Owner is able to pet and groom dog with brush/comb

    2. Sit on Command (No lure)

    3. Down on Command (No lure)

    4. Come when called Indoors (20ft away or other room)

    5. Manners Related to Food (Choose One)

      1. Owner has a snack (No begging)

      2. Owner puts dog’s dish down

    6. Doorbell/knock - Dog behaves appropriately

    7. Go to place/crate - Stay 1 min

    8. Demonstrate Relationship (Indoor Play, choose activity)

    9. Out for a Walk (Do Both)

      1. Leash on, calmly exit door

      2. Walk on loose leash

    10. Exercise Outside (choose activity)

    Puppy Title:

    1. Allows owner to pet

    2. Grooming- brushing by owner

    3. Sit on command (can use lure)

    4. Down on command (can use lure)

    5. Come when called - from 10ft in house

    6. Go to place - stay 15 sec

    7. House Trained - Describe training

    8. Demonstrate Relationship (choose indoor activity)

    9. Out for a Walk - straight line 20ft

    10. Exercise Outside (choose activity)

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AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Title

What is it?

The American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is designed to start puppies and their owners off right! S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility. The test includes 20 test items, all which are done in a 6 week class. On completion your dog can earn their S.T.A.R. Puppy title, certificate, and ribbon!

Requirements

Any puppy of any breed under the age of 1 year can participate in the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program! Attending all 6 classes are required for test item 4.

Tests are done the last night of class.

    1. Maintain puppy health (vaccines, exam, ect)

    2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge

    3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan

    4. Owner and puppy attend 6 classes by AKC Approved CGC Evaluator

    5. Owner brings bags to class to clean up after puppy.

    6. Owner has ID for puppy (tags, microchip, tattoo, ect)

    7. Puppy is free of aggression towards people in class

    8. Puppy is free of aggression towards other puppies in class

    9. Tolerates collar or harness of owner’s choice

    10. Owner can hug or hold puppy

    11. Puppy allows owner to take away treat or toy

    12. Allows (in any position) petting by another person

    13. Grooming, Allows owner to examine ears and feet

    14. Walks on a leash and follows owner 15 steps in straight line

    15. Walks by other people 5ft away

    16. Sits on Cue (food lure okay)

    17. Down on Cue (food lure okay)

    18. Come when Called to Owner 5 ft away

    19. Reaction to Distraction 15ft away

    20. Stay on leash with another person, owner walks 10 steps away and returns

Join the CGC Class

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Title

What is it?

The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners. By passing this test you can earn your dog’s CGC title, certificate and ribbon!

Requirements

Any age or breed(including mixed) of dog can participate in the Canine Good Citizen test! It is recommended that you do training classes first if your dog still needs help on any of the test items.

Classes and tests are hosted at Mancelona Veterinary Hospital.

    1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger

    2. Sit Politely for Petting

    3. Appearance and Grooming

    4. Out for a Walk (walking on a loose lead)

    5. Walking Through a Crowd

    6. Sit, Down, and Stay on Cue (stay from 20ft away)

    7. Coming When Called (from 10ft away)

    8. Reaction to Another Dog

    9. Reaction to Distraction

    10. Supervised Separation (3 minutes)

Community Canine Tests are done on request basis. Contact me for more information.

AKC Community Canine Test

What is it?

The American Kennel Club’s Community Canine is the advanced level of the Canine Good Citizen test. Dogs who pass the AKC Community Canine earn their title with the letters “CGCA” on their dog’s title record. This test is done in real life situations.

Requirements

Any age or breed of dog can participate in the Community Canine test. Before taking the test the dog must have a Canine Good Citizen test on record at the AKC and be registered through the AKC (AKC number, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number).

    1. Dog stands, sits, or lies down and waits under control of owner (approx. 3 mins)

    2. Dog walks on a loose leash in a natural situation and does not pull

    3. Dog walks on a loose leash through a crowd

    4. Dog walks past distraction and does not pull

    5. Sit-stay in small group (two other people with dogs)

    6. Dog allows person who is carrying something to approach and pet it

    7. “Leave it” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave It”

    8. Down or sit stay-distance (20ft)

    9. Recall(come when called) with distractions present (20ft)

    10. Dog will sit or stand stay while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway.

Urban CGC Tests are done on request basis. Contact me for more information.

AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen Test

What is it?

The American Kennel Club’s Urban Canine Good Citizen Test is done to earn the title of “CGCU”. There are 10 test items done on this test and it is done in an urban environment where traffic, sidewalks, and town distractions are involved.

Requirements

Any age or breed(including mixed) of dog can participate in the Urban CGC test! Before taking the test the dog must have a Canine Good Citizen test on record at the AKC and be registered through the AKC (AKC number, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number).

    1. Exit/enter doorways with no pulling in dog friendly buildings

    2. Walk through a crowd on busy urban sidewalk

    3. Appropriate reaction to city distractions

    4. Crossing Street (Stop at corner, wait for owner, cross on loose leash with owner)

    5. Ignore Food on Sidewalk

    6. Person walks up and pets dog while carrying something

    7. Public Building (dog friendly). Down stay(3 min) in lobby or outdoor area, walks under control in building.

    8. Stairs or elevator under control.

    9. House trained for apartment or city living.

    10. Transportation. Enter/exits car and remains under control while riding. Small dogs may be in a bag.

 FAQs

  • Yes! All tests can be done by both purebred and mixed breed dogs. The AKC has ways to register mixed breeds with their PAL program. This way you can keep records for your dog through them.

  • No. Service dogs are required to have extensive training to aid someone with a disability. These tests can be a great starting point for dogs training to be service dogs, but these tests alone do not allow dogs public access rights.

  • The Canine Good Citizen test and others are often required by therapy dog registrations to qualify. Taking the CGC test can show your dog has what it takes and is a great starting point but will not automatically make your dog a therapy dog.

  • Classes are recommended to help set your dog up for success with the tests, but sometimes dogs struggle with a test item. In those cases, I will provide feedback on how to reach the goal. Private training is also available for 1 on 1 help. Retakes are available.

  • Leashes are required on all of the tests. You may use a flat collar, martingale, or body harness.

    Ecollars(shock), choke chains, prong/pinch collars, citronella collars, and retractable leashes are not allowed on the test.

    Treats/food cannot be used on the test, but use all the praise you want!