Canine Good Citizen Want to show off your dog's good manners? The AKC's Canine Good Citizen Award will let you do just that. The CGC is designed to ensure our dogs can be considered respected members of the community. While not an official AKC title, a CGC award is impressive and shows that your dog can maneuver through a variety of situations in a calm manner without showing signs of shyness or aggression. As an added perk, many veterinarians are now offering discounts to CGC dogs. Alpine Shadowhill Mi Amiga Dulce, CGC The CGC Award consists of 10 tests performed on leash. Below is a brief overview. If you are interested in training for a CGC, please visit the AKC website for more complete test explanations and rules. Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger- Basically the dog must allow a stranger to approach, greet, and shake hands with its handler without showing any signs of aggression...or over friendliness. Test 2: Sitting politely for petting-With the dog at the handler's side, allowing a friendly stranger to touch it. Test 3: Appearance and grooming-The dog must allow the evaluator to brush and handle it gently. Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)-The dog must walk near the handler as they follow directions set forth by the evaluator. The handler is allowed to talk to the dog. Test 5: Walking through a crowd-The dog and handler must be able to walk past at least three people without the dog showing more than passing interest. Test 6: Sit and down on command, staying in place-The dog is place on a 20-foot line. The dog must sit OR down at handler's choice. The handler walks to the end of the line and returns. The dog must remain until the handler releases it. Test 7: Coming when called-The dog must come to the handler from 10 feet. Test 8: Reaction to another dog-Two handlers and dogs approach each other, stop, shake hands, exchange pleasantries. The dogs should only show casual interest. Test 9: Reaction to distraction- Dog must not show panic or aggressions or bark, through two distractions. The handler may talk to the dog. i.e. books dropping, a jogger going by, a chair falling, etc. Test 10: Supervised separation- The dog is left with a stranger while the owner is out of sight for three minutes. CGC testing is available at numerous dog shows and fun matches across the country. Check with your local dog club, or with the AKC. What dogs are eligible? All dogs, purebred or mixed breed may participate. Dogs may be spayed or neutered. There is no age limit other than what may be set by the individual testing body. Senior dogs are welcome. Dogs must be old enough to have received vaccinations including rabies. Dogs MAY be spoken to or praised during the testing, which is done on lead. More information can be found at the AKC Canine Good Citizen website.