- Corona, Queens
Important Update
No More In-Home Training
Top Dog Training no longer does In-Home Training. We exclusively do Boarding and Training at our new center in Corona, Queens.
Top Dog Training no longer does In-Home Training. We exclusively do Boarding and Training at our new center in Corona, Queens.
The Canine Good Citizen Test, developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), is designed to assess whether a dog has good manners, self-control, and a strong bond with their handler. When passed, it earns the dog an official CGC certificate, which demonstrates a solid foundation in obedience and social behavior.
It’s important to note that while the CGC test is an excellent benchmark for well-behaved pets, it is not proof of service dog status. While many service dogs must have the skills included in the CGC, being a certified service dog also requires specific task training that directly mitigates a disability recognized by the government. We cover service dog qualifications in other posts—this one focuses solely on the CGC certification.
To pass the CGC test, a dog must demonstrate the following behaviors:
The dog should remain calm as a friendly stranger approaches the handler and engages in a brief, polite conversation. The dog must stay under control and may not lunge, jump, or strain to greet the person. Excessive corrections from the handler are grounds for failure.
While seated at the handler’s side, the dog must allow a stranger to ask for permission and then pet it. The dog may show interest but must remain composed—no jumping, lunging, or signs of fear or aggression are allowed.
The dog should allow someone (such as a vet or groomer) to examine and gently groom it. This test checks for comfort with handling and demonstrates that the owner is attentive to the dog’s physical well-being.
The dog should walk politely on a loose leash, showing attention to the handler’s movements. The course includes left, right, and about turns, along with pauses. Constant pulling or inattentiveness can result in failure.
The dog and handler must calmly navigate through a group of at least three people. Mild interest is acceptable, but the dog should not jump, strain, or try to hide. The dog must remain composed in a real-world public setting.
The dog must respond to commands to sit and lie down, then stay in position (handler’s choice of sit or down) as the handler walks away to the end of a 20-foot line and returns. Gentle guidance is allowed, but excessive force or repeated commands may disqualify the dog.
With the dog still on the 20-foot line, the handler walks 10 feet away and calls the dog. The dog should come promptly without being reeled in. Encouragement is allowed, but repeated calls or leash use to pull the dog forward will result in failure.
Two handlers and dogs approach each other, shake hands, and exchange pleasantries. The dog should remain under control and show only mild interest in the other dog. Lunging, pulling, or crossing in front of the handler are not permitted.
The dog must remain confident and calm in response to two common distractions, such as a person with crutches, a sudden noise, or a moving object. Startled reactions are acceptable, but ongoing fear, aggression, or stress signals like barking, growling, urination, or panicking will disqualify the dog.
This test checks if the dog can be left with a trusted person for three minutes while the owner is out of sight. The dog may pace or look for the owner but should not whine excessively, bark, or show signs of distress such as panting or pulling at the leash. The Evaluator will gently interact with the dog without over-stimulating it.
The Canine Good Citizen Test is a valuable tool to promote responsible dog ownership and well-mannered pets. It also serves as a foundation for therapy dog work, advanced obedience, or service dog training. Best of all, it’s a fun, bonding experience for dogs and their handlers.
If you would like to learn more about the Canine Good Citizen Test , feel free to text or call 646-991-0333 or email info@topdogtrainingny.com
If your dog is likely to be “out of control” and/or is not housebroken, you risk being removed from the store’s premises. You can prevent such issues by having your dog pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen exam. Once passed, you can be assured your dog will unlikely lose control in any normal store setting. However, most dogs require a great deal of training to pass this exam. The requirements of the CGC exam are listed at this URL: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/what-is-canine-good-citizen/. There are 10 key areas of the test, some are much more difficult than others. Sit, Down, Stay, and Come are all mandatory. But your dog must also be able to walk through a crowd of people and walk past another dog without pulling on the leash, jumping, licking or barking. In fact if the dog does any of these things during any of the 10 components of the test, he immediately fails the test.
Top Dog Training offers a training program for the Canine Good Citizen exam. We will also assist you in preparing the paperwork and setting you up with a CGC evaluation. You may contact us at info@topdogtrainingny.com or 646-991-0333.
