How to Be a Canine Good Citizen Trainer

Canine Good Citizen, or CGC, is a certificate offered by the American Kennel Club, the AKC, to recognize dogs that demonstrate good socialization and an ability to behave around unfamiliar people and dogs. Local kennel clubs and dog training organizations offer preparatory classes for the CGC exam. CGC evaluators are approved by the American Kennel Club to administer and score the test and they often teach CGC classes as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Meet the AKC-minimum qualifications for a CGC evaluator. Evaluators must be adults, have 2 years of experience working with dogs and handlers, know how to work with dogs of different sizes and breeds and be in good standing with the AKC.

2. Submit the Approved CGC Evaluator Application to the AKC. You can do this online. If the AKC accepts your application, they will instruct you on how to complete the online Test for Evaluators. Take and pass the Test. The content of the Test is based on the Evaluator's Guide, which is also available online. When you have passed the test, you will receive a certificate from the AKC and also an identification badge to wear when you are functioning as a CGC evaluator.

3. Train your own dog in all of the CGC exercises. CGC candidates are evaluated on 10 exercises. (See Tips)

4. Earn one or more CGC certificates yourself with your own dogs. In order to train and evaluate others, you must have a thorough knowledge of what is involved in preparing for the evaluation.

5. Inform local kennel clubs and dog training centers that you are available to teach CGC preparation classes and to evaluate dogs for the CGC certification.

Tips & Warnings

• The 10 CGC dog exercises are: 1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger; 2. Sitting Politely for Petting; 3. Appearance and Grooming; 4. Walking on a Loose Lead; 5. Walking Through a Crowd; 6. Sit, Down and Stay on Command; 7. Coming When Called; 8. Reaction to Another Dog; 9. Reaction to Distraction and 10. Reaction to Another Dog.

Resources

• AKC information for prospective CGC evaluators