School Therapy Dog Info

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Canine good citizen test items: (training and test #1)

Canine Good Citizen Advanced (Community): (training and test #2)

AKC COMMUNITY CANINE TEST

Advanced Canine Good Citizen (the “CGCA” title)

To earn the CGCA title, the dog must:

1. be registered or listed with AKC (AKC number, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number) and,

2. already have a Canine Good Citizen award/title on record.

Dogs must pass all 10 items of the test to receive the CGCA title.

1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner:

   1. sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork, or,

   2. if the test is done in the community, dog waits while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with another person (e.g., at a park)

2. Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring) — does not pull.

   1. left turn

   2. right turn

   3. stop

   4. fast and slow pace

3. Walks on loose leash through a crowd:

   1. at a show or in class, this item is tested in a real crowd, not in a ring

   2. in the community, dog walks on sidewalk, through a crowd at a community fair, park, on a trail, through a busy hallway, etc.

4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.
   This item may be tested along with #3 if there are dogs in the crowd, etc.

   1. at a show or class, dog walks by dogs waiting in the crowd–dogs 2 ft. apart

   2. in the community, dog walks by other dogs on a trail, sidewalk, in a hallway, etc.

5. Sit-stay in small group (two other people with dogs, total of 3 people, 3 dogs in group).

6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it.
   “May I pet your dog?” (Item is placed on floor/ground before the person pets the dog)

7. “Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”
   This can be food placed by the evaluator on the floor or ground in a food dish with a wire cover as in Rally.

8. Down or sit stay — distance (owner’s choice).
   Dog is on 20–ft line, owner walks away with back to dog, picks up an item (e.g., backpack, training bag, clipboard, folder etc.) placed on the floor/chair/ground by the evaluator and returns to the dog.

9. Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20–ft. **(off center) and calls dog.
   Dog is on the 20–ft. line from #8 above.

10. Dog will sit or stand stay (owner’s choice) while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Owner calls dog through door when ready.
    Owner may also choose to:

    1. send the dog through first and have the dog wait for the owner, or

    2. the owner may choose to have the dog go through the doorway at the owner’s side.

11. Whichever method is used, the dog must not pull the owner and must be under good control. Think of the handler having the leash in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
    Doorway or gate can be real or simulated with ring gates, two chairs, or a natural passageway (e.g., entrance to trail) in the community.

Canine Good Citizen Urban: (training and test #3)

AKC Urban CGC Test Items

1. Exit/enter doorway with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings. Exit building to start test, additional Public buildings items are below.

2. Walk through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk.

   • People come toward the dog from 1-ft. away

   • Tolerate distractions (people wearing hats, coats, men, women, etc).

3. Appropriate reaction to city distractions. This includes movement, noises, and walking on a variety of surfaces. Examples:

   • Noises: horns, sirens, construction noise, etc.

   • Moving objects: skateboard, bike, carts, person running

   • Surfaces: concrete, grass, grates, plastic tarp, wet sidewalk

4. Crossing street: Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling (on leash, with owner). Crosses street under control.

5. Ignore food on sidewalk. (Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped).

6. Person walks up and pets the dog. May be carrying an item such as a small dog in a bag, a computer bag, etc. Person does not put the bag down to pet the dog.

7. Public Building (that is dog friendly). Walks under control in building (slick surface, carpeted floor). Down stay (3 min) in lobby or outdoor area, or waits while owner has a meal or snack.

8. Stairs, steps, or elevator under control.

   • Steps (at least 3 – up and down)

   • Elevator (Enters under control, exits, rides under control)

9. Housetrained for apartment, condo, city living. Owner may verify this item. Evaluator may also observe in public buildings, or have observed in training classes.

10. Transportation. Owner’s choice depending on transportation needs.

    • Car. Enters/exits, remains under control during the ride. (Crate? Seatbelt?)

    • Subway. Small dog in bag for ride. (large dogs are not always permitted; know and abide by the Transit Policies in your area).

    • Dog friendly (enters/exits or allows to be put in/taken out) under control.