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Within each class, Big Sky Dog Training integrates the necessary training for each dog to take and pass the Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC). Tests are scheduled periodically.
Canine Good Citizen Test
The
purpose of the Canine Good Citizen Program is to ensure that our
favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the
community. To receive the CGC certificate, dogs take the 10 item
Canine Good Citizen Test. Items on the test include:
Test Item
1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly
stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural,
everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and
handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring
the dog.
The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not
break position or try to go to the evaluator.
Test Item
2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly
stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the
dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the
evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may
talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may
stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or
resentment.
Test Item 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being
groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a
veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also
demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of
responsibility.
The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and
groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e.,
proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should
supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator
then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner,
lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot.
It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during
the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it
and give encouragement throughout.
Test Item 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the
dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's
position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the
handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes
of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the
handler and need not sit when the handler stops.
The
evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the
handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either
case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn
with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The
handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or
give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the
dog at the halts if desired.
Test
Item 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in
pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The
dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at
least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers
but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence
of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk
to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test.
The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the
leash.
Test Item
6: Sit and down on command - staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond
to the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the
place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever
the handler prefers).
Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20
feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and
use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down.
The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the
handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog into
position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance.
When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to
stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns
to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place
in which it was left (it may change position) until the
evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may
be released from the front or the side.
Test Item 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the
handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to
face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use
encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to
tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away,
giving no instructions to the dog.
Test Item 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around
other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from
a distance of 20 to 30 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange
pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should
show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog
should go to the other dog or its handler.
Test
Item 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times
when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator
will select and present two distractions. Examples of
distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly
past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or
dropping a crutch or cane.
The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may
appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away,
show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog
and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
Test Item 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted
person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good
manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would
you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's
leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog
does not have to stay in position but should not continually
bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger
than mild agitation or nervousness.
Equipment
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear
well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or
chain. Special training collars such as pinch collars, head
halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC test. We recognize
that special training collars may be very useful tools for
beginning dog trainers; however, we feel that dogs are ready to
take the CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to
regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The
owner/handler should bring written proof of rabies vaccines and
the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the
test. The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and
treats are not permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys,
squeaky toys, etc. to get the dog to do something. We recognize
that food and toys may provide valuable reinforcement or
encouragement during the training process but these items should
not be used during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed.
The only exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable
in test Item 10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to
attack a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be
dismissed from the test.
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