|
CGC Test Procedures
The purpose of the Canine Good Citizen Program is to ensure that our
favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community.
To receive the CGC certificate, dogs take the 10 item Canine Good
Citizen Test. Items on the test include:
Test Item 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger
to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation.
The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler
in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog.
The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The
dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break
position or try to go to the evaluator.
Test Item 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger
to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting
at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the
dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout
the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog
must not show shyness or resentment.
Test Item 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed
and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer
or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's
care, concern and sense of responsibility.
The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed.
The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight,
clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush
commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes
the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently
picks up each front foot.
It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during
the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and
give encouragement throughout.
Test Item 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog.
The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should
leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding
to the handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog need
not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the
handler stops.
The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog
team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should
be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop
in between and another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog
along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of
voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.
Test Item 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian
traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler
walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The
dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to
walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness
or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise
the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in
the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test Item 6: Sit and down on command - staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to
the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place
commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler
prefers).
Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet
long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more
than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator
must determine if the dog has responded to the handler's commands.
The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the
dog to offer gentle guidance.
When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay
and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the
dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it
was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the
handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front
or the side.
Test Item 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler.
The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog,
and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog
to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait"
or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
Test Item 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other
dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance
of 20 to 30 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and
continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual
interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or
its handler.
Test Item 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when
faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select
and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping
a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in
front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane.
The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear
slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness,
or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it
throughout the exercise.
Test Item 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person,
if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators
are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch
your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will
go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in
position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily,
or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness.
Equipment
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting
buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special
training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not
permitted in the CGC test. We recognize that special training collars
may be very useful tools for beginning dog trainers, however, we feel
that dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the point at which they
are transitioned to regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler
should bring written proof of rabies vaccines and the dog's brush
or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test.
The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and treats are not
permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc.
to get the dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may
provide valuable reinforcement or encouragement during the training
process but these items should not be used during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The
only exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test
Item 10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack
a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed
from the test.
|
