All Breed Obedience Club, Inc.
San Diego, California
(619) 287-2211
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What Is Required For A
Canine Good Citizen Title?

All Breed Obedience Club's yearly Octoberfest event is an official AMBOR trial for mixed breeds as well as an opportunity for you to earn a Canine Good Citizen title on your dog! Check back later this coming summer for the next Octoberfest event date.

The following information is from the American Kennel Club website, www.americankennelclub.com or www.akc.org

You can earn the Canine Good Citizen Title If your dog has good manners, he or she may be eligible for an award from the American Kennel Club….

Welcome to the AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program. Started in 1989, the CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the CGC test may apply for a certificate from the American Kennel Club and as of January 1, 1999, they are automatically recorded in the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Archive.

The purpose of the CGC Program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community. To receive the CGC award, dogs take the 10 item Canine Good Citizen Test. Items on the test include:

Test 1. Politely Accept a Friendly Stranger
Test 2. Sit Politely for Petting by a Stranger
Test 3. Accept Grooming & Examination by a Stranger
Test 4. Walk Politely on a Loose Leash
Test 5. Walk Politely through a Crowd on a Loose Leash

Test 6. Sit and Down on Command, then Stay in Place
Test 7. Come When Called
Test 8. Calm Reaction to Another Dog within Reach
Test 9. Calm Reaction or Quick Recovery to Distraction
Test 10. 3 Minute Supervised Separation from Owner

Can My Dog Be Tested? If dogs have been trained at home and are well-mannered, owners can have their dogs tested. Clubs and training programs in almost every city can provide CGC training to owners and dogs who need to learn a few more skills before taking the test.

Who Can Take the Test? All dogs, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome to participate in the CGC program. Dogs must be old enough to have received necessary immunizations such as rabies vaccines, and there is no age limit on the test. A dog is never too old to be a good citizen.

Is the CGC An Official AKC title? The CGC award is not an official AKC title because the testing is not administered by our licensed judges. Owners should be proud of the award and recognize that the CGC is gaining credibility and recognition in our communities. Participating in this program helps spread the word about the importance of responsible dog ownership.

CGC-A Decade of Success!! In only one decade, the Canine Good Citizen Program has begun to have an extremely positive impact in many of our communities. This is a program that can help us assure that the dogs we love will always be welcomed and respected members of our communities.

Other Local Clubs & Trainers that Offer CGC Tests:
Hidden Valley Obedience Club
Aztec Doberman Club
San Diego Humane Society
Best Behavior Dog Training
Pawsitive Principles Dog Training

(If you know of other sources for CGC tests please contact
Kathy by email so we can add them to the list.)