CGC
Training/Testing - CGC
Test Items
Items on the Canine Good Citizen Test include:
Test 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 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 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 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 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 6: Sit and down on command and 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). The dog must do
sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the
position for leaving the dog in the stay. 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 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 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 about 20 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 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 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. Evaluators
may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive
talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g,
"there, there, it's alright").
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 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.
|
|
![[IMAGE]](dumbrul19a.gif){kind=small}
