I have been taking Nikko to training classes since he was just 3 months old at PetSmart. We went through the puppy, intermediate and advanced classes. We took the AKC Good Canine Citizenship test in early August, but Nikko did not pass the test. We had problems with the recall and for the 3 minute separation.

The problem was that the training room inside PetSmart is in the middle of the store and has a half wall with glass at the mid section so people can watch. Nikko HATES being in that room, because he would rather be out of the room socializing with the other people and dogs! The separation test is to prove that we can be away from him and he will not freak out, which he does fine at.

Anyway, we re-took the test this past Saturday and he passed! I am so proud of him! We have been working with him a lot the past 2 months and it definitely showed. After the test he got a special treat and we went to the dog park on Sunday. Now, on to train Yukon!

Congrats Nikko! dont forget to keep up the training!

Congrats Nikko!! Ava and I are still working on hers...

Congrats Nikko!

Thats wonderful!

What is this test? And what does it entail.

tamasmum wrote:

What is this test? And what does it entail.

The CGC test is administered by the American Kennel Club and tests the dog on the following:

• Accept a friendly stranger
• Sit politely for petting
• Sit/Stand for grooming
• Loose lead walking
• Walking through a crowd
• Sit and down on command
• Stay in place
• Come when called
• Reaction to another dog
• Reaction to distraction
• 3 minute separation

They must pass all of these items, and treats are not allowed, neither are pinch or training collars. They cannot growl, snap, bite, attack or attempt to attack a person or other dog. Also if they potty during the test that is also a fail.

If you pass you get a certificate and it is one step closer if you want to work them as a therapy dog, going to nursing or group homes, or to schools.

Delilah could pass this with flying colors - Cato is still a dumb puppy.

CONGRATS P.S. It's a title in AKC now.

jschrader wrote:

If you pass you get a certificate and it is one step closer if you want to work them as a therapy dog, going to nursing or group homes, or to schools.

Congratulations Nikko!

I wanted to touch on this a moment - the CGC is not a step towards therapy work. The CGC test itself is part of the test that you take to have yourself and your dog certified for therapy work but just because you get a CGC doesn't mean you don't have to take the therapy evaluation - even with a CGC cert/title you would still have to take the the therapy organizations version of the test test (it is slightly different from the CGC - and while having the CGC makes your odds better for passing the therapy test - there are I think 4 or 5 additional steps in the therapy test).

I've done pretty extensive research into doing therapy work as it's something I plan on doing with my next puppy.

Zoey has her CGC too, and Ares just needs to take the test which he'll pass..

Yeah the actual therapy test is way more into depth. You can read more here: http://www.tdi-dog.org/

Test requirements:
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 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 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. The dog
should sit at the handler’s side as the Evaluator approaches
and begins to pet the dog on the head and body only. The dog
may stand in place to accept petting. The dog must not show
shyness or resentment.
TEST 3: APPEARANCE AND GROOMING
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being
groomed and examined and will permit a stranger, 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, then combs or brushes
the dog, and lightly examines the ears and each front foot.
TEST 4: OUT FOR A WALK
(WALKING ON A LOOSE LEASH)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the
dog. The dog can be on either side of the handler, whichever
the handler prefers. There must be a left turn, a right turn, and
an about turn, with at least one stop in between and another
at the end. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the
handler and need not sit when the handler stops.
TEST 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, without appearing overexuberant, shy, or
resentful. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage
or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not be
straining at the leash.
TEST 6: SIT AND DOWN ON COMMAND/STAYING
IN PLACE
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond
to the handler’s command to sit and down, and will remain
in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position,
whichever the handler prefers). The handler may take a
reasonable amount of time and use more than one command
to make the dog sit and then down. When instructed by
the Evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks
forward the length of a 20-foot line. The dog must remain in
place, but may change position.
TEST 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 the dog to “stay” or “wait,” or they may simply walk
away, giving no instructions to the dog as the Evaluator
provides mild distraction (e.g., petting).
TEST 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 about 10 yards, stop, shake
hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about
5 yards. The dogs should show no more than a casual interest
in each other.
TEST 9: REACTIONS TO DISTRACTIONS
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times
when faced with common distracting situations, such as the
dropping of a large book or a jogger running in front of the
dog. The dog may express a natural interest and curiosity
and/or appear slightly startled, but should not panic, try to
run away, show aggressiveness, or bark.
TEST 10: REACTION TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
The dog must be tested around medical equipment (such
as wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers, or other devices
which would ordinarily be found in a facility) to judge the
dog’s reactions to common health care equipment.
TEST 11: LEAVE-IT
The handler with the dog on a loose leash walks over food
on the ground and, upon command, the dog should ignore
the food.
TEST 12: ACCLIMATION TO INFIRMITIES
This test demonstrates the dog’s confidence when exposed
to people walking with an uneven gait, shuffling, breathing
heavily, coughing, wheezing, or other distractions which
may be encountered in a facility.
TEST 13: SUPERVISED SEPARATION
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted
person, if necessary, and will maintain its 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.
TEST 14: SAY HELLO
The TDI Certified Evaluator will test the willingness of each
dog to visit a person and that the dog can be made readily
accessible for petting (i.e., small dogs can be placed on a
person’s lap or can be held; medium and larger dogs can sit
on a chair or stand close to the patient to be easily reached.)
TEST 15: REACTION TO CHILDREN
The dog must be able to work well around all types of
populations, including children. The dog's behavior around
children must be evaluated during testing. It is important that
during the testing the potential Therapy Dog and the children
are not in direct contact. This means the dog can only be
observed for a reaction toward children playing, running, or
present in general at the testing site. Any negative reaction
by the dog will result in automatic failure. Negative reaction
means a dog showing signs of aggression.

Niraya wrote:

jschrader wrote:

If you pass you get a certificate and it is one step closer if you want to work them as a therapy dog, going to nursing or group homes, or to schools.

Congratulations Nikko!

I wanted to touch on this a moment - the CGC is not a step towards therapy work. The CGC test itself is part of the test that you take to have yourself and your dog certified for therapy work but just because you get a CGC doesn't mean you don't have to take the therapy evaluation - even with a CGC cert/title you would still have to take the the therapy organizations version of the test test (it is slightly different from the CGC - and while having the CGC makes your odds better for passing the therapy test - there are I think 4 or 5 additional steps in the therapy test).

I've done pretty extensive research into doing therapy work as it's something I plan on doing with my next puppy.

That’s what I meant to say LOL. From what I was told by the evaluator, if I wanted Nikko to be a therapy dog, I need to first pass the CGC, and then I can go on and take another test to certify him as a therapy dog. Also I was told the CGC is only good for 2 years, so if I wanted to have him be a therapy dog after that I would have to re-take the CGC first, and then take the test for being a therapy dog.

My goal was just to pass it because it was part of the curriculum of the PetSmart classes; I don’t plan to doing therapy work.

No. You don't have to take the CGC before you take the therapy test - its not a prerequisite for the therapy test and the CGC lasts forever (you get a certificate and starting january of next year you can add it As a title to the end of your dogs name). I'm sure that as a member of a therapy dog organization the dog would have to be retested for safety reasons. But other than that as far as I know you never have to redo the CGC.

I would have to recheck just to make sure but it's hard to do on my phone while I'm at the hospital.

Niraya wrote:

No. You don't have to take the CGC before you take the therapy test - its not a prerequisite for the therapy test and the CGC lasts forever (you get a certificate and starting january of next year you can add it As a title to the end of your dogs name). I'm sure that as a member of a therapy dog organization the dog would have to be retested for safety reasons. But other than that as far as I know you never have to redo the CGC.

I would have to recheck just to make sure but it's hard to do on my phone while I'm at the hospital.

OK I misunderstood my trainer. I went ahead and looked it up, and the TDI tests the same items as the CGC but adds 4 additional ones. You don’t HAVE to take the CGC test before you take the TDI test.

And you just have to send your paperwork in after testing to get your certificate within 2 years or you will need to be retested, but once you have the certificate it does not expire.

The trainer acted like we would have to retest him every 2 years, and implied that the CGC test was a pre-requisite to the TDI test.

Niraya – thank’s for clearing that up for me! Even though I don’t plan on Nikko being a therapy dog I am glad I know how it works now. My trainer can sometimes not be clear on what he means.

You're very welcome !