How to Be a Canine Good Citizen Certifier

The Canine Good Citizen Award is sponsored by K9 Advantix and consists of a two-part program that focuses on responsible pet ownership and good manners in the community for dogs. Dogs who are able to pass a 10-part test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. Promote good ideals for dogs and their owners by becoming a Canine Good Citizen award certifier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know the basic requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, have a minimum of 2 years of experience working with dogs of different breeds and their owners and be in good standing with the American Kennel Club.

2. Fill out the application for becoming an AKC-approved Canine Good Citizen award certifier. Send it to the AKC along with the application fee.

3. Receive a letter from the AKC letting you know if your application is approved or denied. If you've been approved, you'll also receive information about taking an online test for evaluators. The test is based on information available in the Evaluator's Guide and is open book. If you don't pass, you can take the test again.

4. Pass the test, and receive an Approved Evaluator Certificate, a personalized name badge and access to the online newsletter for evaluators. You'll need to renew your approval through the AKC every 2 years, just to update your contact information.

5. Post information about upcoming classes on the American Kennel Club website so that people can seek you out for assistance in training their dogs to become Canine Good Citizens, or to have their dogs evaluated.

Resources

• Visit the AKC for more information on the Canine Good Citizen program.