American Kennel club cgc titles

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The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is a certification offered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) that shows a dog has good manners at home and in the community. It’s a way to recognize dogs that are polite, well-trained, and under control of their handler. Many service dog and therapy dog programs use the CGC as a foundation because it proves the dog can behave responsibly in everyday situations.

The CGC test has 10 parts, each designed to show that the dog and handler can work together calmly and confidently. Dogs are asked to:

1. Accept a friendly stranger without jumping or shyness.
    
2. Sit politely while being petted.
    
3. Allow a brief grooming check, such as touching paws and ears.
    
4. Walk on a loose leash without pulling.
    
5. Walk calmly through a crowd of people.
    
6. Sit, down, and stay when asked.
    
7. Come when called.
    
8. Stay calm around another dog.
    
9. Remain confident around distractions like a dropped object or sudden movement.
    
10. Wait politely with a stranger while the handler steps away for a short time.
     

Passing the test shows that a dog is well-behaved, reliable, and safe in public. It also reflects that the handler has good control and communication with their dog.

The CGC isn’t just a test, it’s a great goal for any dog owner. It sets a solid foundation for service work, therapy visits, or simply being a polite family companion who can go more places with confidence.

The Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA), also called the Community Canine, is the next level of certification offered by the American Kennel Club (AKC). While the basic CGC shows that a dog has good manners in controlled situations, the CGCA proves that a dog can behave politely and reliably in more distracting, real-world environments. It’s designed to demonstrate that a dog and handler can confidently handle public settings like parks, busy sidewalks, or community events.

The CGCA test also has 10 parts, but each one is done in a more natural environment with real distractions. Dogs are asked to:

1. Walk on a loose leash through a crowd of people and distractions.
    
2. Walk past other dogs politely without pulling or lunging.
    
3. Sit and stay calmly in a group of at least three dogs.
    
4. Accept petting and attention from a friendly stranger in a real-world setting.
    
5. Walk through doorways, around corners, or past other obstacles with control.
    
6. Respond reliably to basic obedience cues like sit, down, and stay in distracting environments.
    
7. Come when called, even with distractions nearby.
    
8. Remain calm while the handler has a conversation with someone.
    
9. Stay focused and under control while the handler is seated in a public place.
    
10. Remain steady and well-mannered in unexpected situations such as a jogger running past or a loud noise.
     

Passing the CGCA shows that a dog has the manners and self-control to behave responsibly in the community.

The Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU) is the highest level of the American Kennel Club’s CGC program. While the basic CGC tests manners in a controlled setting and the CGCA shows good behavior in community environments, the CGCU takes things one step further by proving that a dog can handle the unique challenges of busy, urban life. This certification shows that a dog and handler can stay calm, safe, and well-mannered in crowded public spaces, around heavy distractions, and even near traffic.

The CGCU test also has 10 parts, all designed to reflect real city situations. Dogs are asked to:

1. Safely enter and exit doorways, including automatic doors, without pulling.
    
2. Walk politely on a loose leash down busy sidewalks and around moving people.
    
3. Cross the street under control, paying attention to the handler.
    
4. Walk calmly past loud or moving distractions such as bikes, skateboards, or carts.
    
5. Remain steady around traffic noises like horns, sirens, or construction sounds.
    
6. Ride calmly in an elevator or through a doorway with multiple people.
    
7. Wait politely while the handler sits at a café table or in a public setting.
    
8. Show reliable obedience with sit, down, stay, and come even in high-distraction areas.
    
9. Walk past other dogs and people in close quarters without lunging or showing stress.
    
10. Stay calm and under control when unexpected events happen, like a jogger brushing past or something being dropped nearby.
     

Passing the CGCU proves that a dog can confidently and reliably handle the realities of city life. This title is especially valuable for service dogs, therapy dogs, and highly active companion dogs who will be out in busy, unpredictable environments.

The Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU) test typically costs $20 for the general public, covering the evaluation and paperwork needed for the American Kennel Club. However, as part of our commitment to supporting working teams, we provide the CGC test at no cost to our service dog and therapy dog clients. This fee does NOT cover sending it to AKC to add as an official title nor do we cover it for service and therapy dog teams.