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Canine Good Citizenship test

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is a program developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) to promote responsible dog ownership and good manners in dogs. It’s not just a test, but also a training program that teaches dogs basic obedience and socialization skills. The CGC test evaluates dogs in various situations to ensure they are well-behaved members of society.

Here are some typical elements of the CGC test:

Accepting a Friendly Stranger: The dog should remain calm and polite when approached by a friendly stranger.
Sitting Politely for Petting: The dog should allow a stranger to pet them without jumping up or displaying any signs of aggression.
Appearance and Grooming: The dog should tolerate being groomed and examined, including having their ears and paws handled.
Walking on a Loose Leash: The dog should walk calmly on a leash without pulling or straining.
Walking Through a Crowd: The dog should demonstrate good manners while walking through a crowd of people.
Sit, Down, and Stay on Command: The dog should respond promptly to basic obedience commands, including sit, down, and stay.
Coming When Called: The dog should come when called by their owner.
Reaction to Another Dog: The dog should behave politely when encountering another dog, showing no signs of aggression or excessive excitement.
Reaction to Distractions: The dog should remain calm and focused in the presence of distractions such as loud noises or unusual objects.
Supervised Separation: The dog should be able to stay calm and relaxed when left briefly with a trusted person while their owner is out of sight.

Dogs that pass the CGC test earn a certificate from the AKC, which can be a stepping stone to participating in other activities such as therapy dog work or advanced obedience competitions. The CGC program helps owners build a strong bond with their dogs while promoting responsible dog ownership and good behavior in the community.

Go here to find more information about a test near you: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/canine-good-citizen-test-items/

How to prepare for the CGC test

Most dogs need 4-8 weeks of structured prep before testing. The 10 evaluation items map directly to everyday obedience skills, so the prep work doubles as good citizenship in the real world.

Week 1-2: Polish the basics — sit, down, stay, come. See our guide on 21 essential dog commands for clean cues.
Week 3-4: Add distractions. Practice in busier environments. The positive reinforcement approach works particularly well here.
Week 5+: Run mock evaluations with friends acting as the strangers and other dogs.

If your dog struggles with the calm requirements

Several CGC items test reactions in stressful situations — supervised separation, reaction to a stranger, reaction to another dog. Anxious dogs can struggle here. Our complete CBD for dog anxiety guide covers calming support that pairs well with training. For the supervised separation item specifically, see CBD for separation anxiety.