AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing

At Wolf Song Acres K9 Academy, we are proud to offer the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC), the AKC Urban CGC, and the AKC Advanced CGC (also known as Community Canine) testing, programs designed to recognize and reward well-behaved dogs that have mastered essential obedience skills and display good manners at home and in the community. As a certified AKC CGC evaluator, I am dedicated to helping dogs and their owners achieve this prestigious title through a structured and supportive training program.

Class Overview: Each CGC class is a comprehensive 6-week course, held once a week, where dogs and their handlers work together to prepare for their CGC test. Throughout the course, we will cover all test items required by each AKC CGC program, ensuring that each dog is well-prepared to succeed.

Final Test: At the end of the 6-week course, dogs will undergo the official CGC test, where they must demonstrate their ability to perform the required tasks. Successful completion of the test will earn them the AKC Canine Good Citizen title, a testament to their good behavior and training.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

The AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is designed to recognize dogs that exhibit good manners at home and in the community. The CGC test consists of ten test items that evaluate the dog's behavior and obedience. These include accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, walking on a loose lead, and more. Successful completion of the CGC test earns the dog the CGC title, which is a testament to their training and good behavior. This program is an excellent foundation for any dog, promoting responsible pet ownership and well-behaved pets.

Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGC-U)

The Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGC-U) title is an advanced level of the CGC program that evaluates the dog's ability to demonstrate good manners in urban environments. This test includes elements of the traditional CGC test but adds urban-specific challenges such as navigating through busy sidewalks, riding in elevators, and safely crossing streets. The CGC-U title is ideal for dogs that frequently accompany their owners in city settings, ensuring that they can handle the unique distractions and obstacles found in urban areas.

Prerequisites: AKC CGC

Advanced Canine Good Citizen
(CGC-A)

The Advanced Canine Good Citizen (CGC-A), also known as the Community Canine, is the next step after the CGC and focuses on the dog's ability to demonstrate advanced obedience and good manners in community settings. The CGC-A test involves more challenging scenarios, including off-leash work and interactions with various distractions. Dogs must already have their CGC title to be eligible for the CGC-A test. Earning the CGC-A title shows that the dog can perform reliably in real-world situations, making them an exemplary member of the community.

Prerequisites: AKC CGC-U

AKC S.T.A.R Puppy

The AKC S.T.A.R Puppy class is a foundational training program for puppies under the age of 10 months, emphasizing Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility (S.T.A.R). This class focuses on teaching puppies basic manners, socializing with other dogs and people, and educating owners on responsible dog ownership. Upon completing the class, puppies are eligible to take the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy test, which assesses their progress and earns them the S.T.A.R Puppy certificate and S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal. This program sets a solid foundation for future training and helps ensure well-adjusted, well-behaved dogs.

CGC Classes Terms and Conditions

Prerequisites

Basic Obedience Requirement: Dogs must have completed the Basic Obedience Level 1 group class or undergo a consultation to ensure they can safely participate around other dogs.

Class Structure

Scheduled Sessions: Our CGC class is a 6-week course with sessions held once a week. Each session focuses on preparing dogs for the CGC test by covering all ten test items required by the AKC CGC program.

Evaluation and Titling

Final Test: At the end of the 6-week course, dogs will undergo the official CGC test. The cost of this evaluation is included in the class fee.
Test-Only Option: Clients who do not wish to take the class can opt for the test-only evaluation at a fee of $20 per evaluation. Passing the test is not guaranteed, and the test must be retaken if the dog does not pass, with the fee payable each time.
AKC Registration: To take the CGC test and earn the title, dogs must have AKC Registration, Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL), or an AKC Canine Partners number for recording. Clients can apply for a Canine Partners number if their dog is not a purebred.
Application and Fees: Clients are responsible for mailing the application to the AKC to receive their title after the evaluation, along with paying the $30 fee to the AKC directly. This fee is not covered by our class or evaluation fees.