Canine Good Citizen Testing

As of 2020, we are AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators. This allows us to teach responsible dog ownership and allows us to certify dogs that have gone through the required training and have the behaviors of a well-behaved member of families and the public. We will test any of our past puppies for free!

The following is what our CGC evaluatorship includes:

Caning Good Citizen, Trick Dog, and Virtual Home Manners

We are able to schedule tests anytime you believe your dog is ready. We can also do training sessions prior to testing out to go over the test items and work on any skills that may need to be sharpened. Please send us a message to schedule an individual training session or test. We do wait 24 hours in between test if a dog fails the first time.

Canine Good Citizen

AKC S.T.A.R puppy stands for Socialization. Training. Activity. and Responsible owner.

For the AKC star, puppies must attend a 6 week class! We will host these if we have more than 3 puppy owners looking for a class to attend together. The classes will be held once a week for a 6 week length, with the test to conclude the class.

https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/akc-star-puppy/

AKC CGC (CGCA, CGCU, etc)

AKC Canine Good Citizen is a program designed to allow well trained dogs the opportunity of a certification. There are 10 test items that the dog must pass in order to receive the certification and title. View the 10 test items and qualifications here.

https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/

Trick Dog

As AKC evaluators we are able to also test out for the Trick dog titles! We can do these in person or virtually (as of 2021 d/t covid).

AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN)- Your dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list. (see link to “Application” below for lists of skills). If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title. See the list of tricks here.
AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) – Your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks. See the list of tricks here.
AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) – Your dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 10 tricks from the Advanced list. See the list of tricks here.
AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) – In this title, handlers perform a short routine with at least 10 tricks with at least 3 tricks using props. See the requirements here.
AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE) – In the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script. At least 5 props are used. See the requirements here.

https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/

Virtual Home Manners

Virtual Home Manners (VHM) is the answer when you want to train your dog at home. When you get a puppy or new adult dog, Virtual Home Manners can get you started on practical skills before you attend a training class.

The evaluation of a dog’s ability to perform ten home manners skills will be done by a video recording. Two levels of Home Manners will be offered – Virtual Home Manners Puppy (VHMP) and Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA). Dogs that pass the tests will be awarded these titles.

The Virtual Home Manners tests assess ten skills that well-mannered pet dogs need in the home setting. The skills relate to the dog owner having control over the dog, being able to walk the dog (which is one of the most frequently cited activities that owners want to do with their dogs) and developing a bond with the dog during playtime. Check out our “How to Train” VHM training videos to get started.

The Virtual Home Manners tests are evaluated online by CGC Evaluators in the same manner that is currently used for Virtual Tricks. There is not an in-person VHM testing process. Virtual Home Manners is natural lead-in for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) in-person training.