The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program. First: to teach responsible dog ownership to owners and second: to certify that dogs have the training and behavior needed to be reliable.
CGC tests are noncompetitive. Dogs are not required to perform items on the test with the same precision needed in formal obedience trials.
There are 10 elements for the dog to pass on the CGC Test:
- Accepting a Friendly Stranger
- Sitting Politely for Petting
- Appearance and Grooming
- Out for a walk on a loose lead
- Walking through a Crowd
- Sit and Down on Command and Staying in Place
- Coming When Called
- Reaction to Another Dog
- Reaction to Distractions
- Supervised Separation.
Additional requirements for CGCA testing may be found at http://www.akc.org/dog-owners/training/akc-community-canine/.
You no longer need a rabies certificate or immunization record for the CGC tests. You will be asked to sign a pledge that your dog is current on his vaccinations. CGC Testing may be done on a 6 foot lead with a buckle or slip collar or body harness. Head and pinch collars are not allowed. Dogs can be any age to be tested.
Therapy Dogs International (TDI) test is much like the CGCA test with added changes:
The dog must be comfortable around several people and medical equipment.
Dogs are tested on buckle collar or non-restrictive body harness. This is a test of behavior, as a dog who jumps could harm a sick person.
TDI is a natural extension of the AKC’s CGC test for dogs who are particularly sensitive and attentive to people. TDI will only test dogs over one year old.
For TDI you must have a current rabies certificate and a license for your dog, if required by the state in which you live.
AKC Trick Dog Titles
• NOVICE TRICK DOG (TKN)
The dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list. (see link to “Application” below for lists of skills). If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title.
• INTERMEDIATE TRICK DOG (TKI)
The dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks.
• ADVANCED TRICK DOG (TKA)
The dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 5 tricks from the Advanced list.
• TRICK DOG PERFORMER (TKP)
In this title, handlers perform a short routine with at least 10 tricks previously learned.
Note: Participants must provide their own equipment
For application and checklist for each level:
http://www.akc.org/trick-Dog/trick-dog-applications/
Committee Chair and TDI evaluators:
Don and Cecilia Williams coldstream@charter.net
Trick Dog:
Becky Voegtlin beckyvtx@yahoo.com
Ashley Brown Cruxcardigans@gmail.com
Entry and Payment:
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