Canine Good Citizen Program

Canine Good Citizen Program

Canine Good Citizen Program

This program gives your dog a chance to learn all the necessary mannerisms needed to operate in a human world. It allows your dog to be a bigger part of your life because you have the confidence that your dog knows how to behave in any situation. A Canine Good Citizen is a dog that is well behaved, well mannered and knows how to listen. -Eric Pliner, CGC Evaluator #95477

CGC Graduates

A smiling man kneels next to a brown and white dog in front of a brick wall, holding a certificate and a blue ribbon, celebrating an achievement.

Marco & Larry

A smiling woman kneels in a parking lot at sunset, holding a certificate, with a small black-and-white dog sitting beside her on a leash. Snow is visible in the background.

Katherine & Rudy

A woman wearing sunglasses and a gray hoodie stands in a parking lot, holding a piece of paper with a blue ribbon. Next to her sits a large, gray and black dog. Buildings and cars are visible in the background.

Lisa & River

A man in a light-colored dress shirt crouches next to a brown dog inside a lumber store, with stacks of wooden planks and a yellow cart visible in the background. A sheet of paper lies on the floor in front of them.

Jorgen & Bella

Two smiling people crouch in a store aisle next to a black-and-white dog. The woman holds a piece of paper, while the man, wearing a green jacket and cap, holds the dog’s leash. Shelves of pet supplies are visible in the background.

Hillary & Bernie

Test Items

Test 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.

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.

Test 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.

Test 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.

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).

Test 6: Sit and down on command and 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.

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 dogs to “stay” or “wait” or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.

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 20 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.

Test 9: Reaction to distraction

This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations.

Test 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.

More CGC Graduates

A woman kneels next to a curly-haired dog in a store with flowers. She smiles and holds a certificate and a blue ribbon, while the dog sits calmly beside her on the concrete floor.

Tracy & Bently

A man wearing a blue vest and dark clothes stands indoors, holding a document in one hand and a leash in the other, with a white bull terrier dog sitting beside him. They appear to be in a store with patio furniture on display.

Tom & Wilber

A smiling woman kneels next to a black Labrador wearing a leash in a hardware store aisle, holding official documents. Stacks of lumber are visible on shelves behind them.

Shelby & Hazel

A woman sitting on a picnic table bench outdoors, smiling and holding papers, with a light-colored dog on a leash sitting on the grass beside her.

Robin & Charley

A man and a girl kneel beside a brown and white dog in front of stacked wooden boards. The man holds a certificate, and the girl holds a blue ribbon. All appear happy and are posing for the photo indoors.

Mike & Elvis

A woman in an orange hoodie holds a piece of paper and stands indoors next to a light-colored dog sitting on the floor. They are in a warehouse or hardware store aisle with shelves and boxes behind them.

Liz & Kallie

A woman and man kneel on grass next to a black and white dog. The woman holds a document, and the man displays a blue ribbon. They are smiling in front of a building with plants in the background.

Lisa, Steve & Lola

A woman stands indoors next to a golden retriever service dog in front of blooming purple orchids at a garden center. She holds papers and the dog’s leash. Price tags and a sign reading Blooming Tropicals are visible.

Kambria & Ivan

A man kneels next to a curly-haired black dog in a hardware store aisle, holding up a certificate and smiling at the camera. Stacks of wooden boards are visible on shelves behind them.

Jim & Reeces

A woman stands inside a hardware store, smiling at the camera, while holding the leash of a golden retriever sitting beside her. Shelves with building materials are visible in the background.

Jane & Cody

A man kneels on a sidewalk holding a piece of paper, smiling at the camera, with a large black dog sitting beside him. Green bushes and trees are in the background.

Don & Stevie

Two people kneel beside a small dog in a store’s lumber section. The man smiles while holding a leash, and the woman holds a blue ribbon and a certificate. Stacks of wooden boards are behind them.

Charlie, Carrie &Willa

A smiling person wearing sunglasses and a hat kneels beside a dog in a red jacket, holding up a form. They are indoors, in front of a display of colorful potted plants.

Adam & Lucille