CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Program

Novel · 08-20-2005, 10:48 AM

Just wanted to say that this is a really nice program, and I would encourage anyone that has a moderately well trained dog to take the test.

Topper took it this morning, for $10, and passed with flying colors. The 10 sections were quite easy, and you can communicate with your dog throughout the entire exam. The dog gets a nice tag that says "Canine Good Citizen" and for another $5 you can get a certificate from AKC. I even went the extra mile and bought a bright red shirt that says "Proud Owner of a Canine Good Citizen"!!!

A great program!!

sammy · 08-20-2005, 11:51 AM

Sammy (who I've had for 4 months) , just completed basic obedience and I'm hoping to get CGC with. In Canada it's called Canine Good Neighbor.
Did you train specifically for the test?
My trainer figured we could have Sammy ready in 6 weeks. We start agility in a few weeks. I'm trying to decide if I should work towards CGN at the same time. Any thoughts?
My aim is to eventually do nursing home visitation / pet therapy with him.

momtobella · 08-20-2005, 12:31 PM

I will be taking Bella to get tested in Oct. She needs to take a few more classes before the test.

Congratulations on your CGC!

Pugdawg1 · 08-20-2005, 12:41 PM

I would LOVE to do that, but no one does that around here.

***Carrie*** · 08-20-2005, 02:15 PM

Congratulations Novel and Topper!!! Woo hoo...Well done!

Lyric's been through the class and we went to take the test a couple of weeks ago and while jumping out of the car, he pulled a muscle in his hind leg and could not sit to do his obedience part of it...was in a lot of pain and was limping for about 2 or 3 days. Then we were to take it last week and there weren't enough people there to make a "crowd" to test the dog around crowds. LOL. So, again, she's hoping to go for it this next Wed at agility/obedience class, or afterward. Good heavens!

It is a really good thing to have on your dog.

I think the T-shirt sounds awesome!

Novel · 08-20-2005, 02:49 PM

Sammy, we did not train specifically for the test. Topper has always astounded me in his willingness to do things I ask, and this week he finally got the idea about heeling. He never really gave me the attention I wanted, and was always at the end of the leash, NOT loose lead, but this week, like a lightbulb, he got it. Silly dog. I found out about the test a couple weeks back, yesterday took him through what I could of the test, and today had him take it. He was just so good, but he's very quick to pick up on "working" and "not working". So I made sure he was "working" today. Of course, no one believed he was the same dog as the one there for Conformation classes in March. Then he wouldn't sit for more than a second, whined at every dog he saw, pretty much just fidgeted. Today the second he wasn't working, he sprawled out on the floor and fell asleep. LOL! In fact, during the distraction part of the test, I was told to put him in a comfortable position and leave him. He was supposed to not panic. I put him in a down and he rolled onto his back with his legs in the air while the evaluator rolled a baby strolled past him. The evaluator than dropped a phone book. The stroller elicited no response, and the phone book got him to roll over. LOL. I tell ya. I love this dog! The final section of the test is to have him stay for 3 minutes with another person. I was kind of worried about this section. The evaluator could talk to him, but he couldn't seem overly anxious or panicky. As I was walking away, I got nervous. After the three minutes she called me back over and I asked, "How'd he do?" gritting my teeth. "Oh, just fine, I think he fell asleep."
I think the majority of it is the shows. His first show he was so nervous and anxious, but at the time, that was an improvement over his behavior at home. Now it's all pretty ho hum for him. He still loves to get into the ring, but the standing around waiting bores him now.
I plan on doing Therapy work with Topper also. He's never been the jump on you kind of dog, and although he is very affectionate, he ignores most people. He's great for people that want to make friends with him on their terms, vs. my Alley who gets in their laps and forces the friendship. She's good for Therapy too, but in a different way!

Momtobella, Good Luck on your test. I'll be interested to hear what you thought about the test. If it was what you expected or not. This was much easier than I had expected.

Pugdawg1, check with the AKC. The one today was put on by my all-breed club. They don't advertise it, so there may be some going on around you and you may just not know.

Carrie, Thank you! Topper deserves it. Laney is next. Then they'll get a better idea about what a Weim is supposed to act like.. Ha! At 10 months she never stops moving, but she does obey, when we're "working"!
Good heavens, well, this Wednesday then. Lyric will do just fine! Like I said, it was much easier than I had expected. My hubby liked the shirt. He asked, jokingly, if I'll get one when Topper gets his bench championship. I laughed. If only they made a T-shirt that reflected that amount of work and headache!

Crossfire Bulldogs · 08-20-2005, 03:49 PM

Congrats to you and Topper!

***Carrie*** · 08-20-2005, 04:21 PM

What a major character...going to sleep when you left him. LOL. Just when you thought you were so needed. ROFLOL.

The trainer said that she has no doubt at all that Lyric will pass because we've done it all in practice but a test is a test and we have to take it.

I know what you mean about the "working" mode and the "non working mode." Lyric can be a butthead still on occasion when we see another dog and he'll act naughty if I don't catch it before he gets that way and warn him, otherwise he's gotten so much better. But at class when we're not just standing around waiting to begin, but when we're "working," be it agility or obedience, he's completely uninterested in the other dogs. It's too weird. We line them up along side eachother in a sit or down/stay for 3 minutes, leave our dogs and he is like glued to the ground, looking straight ahead at me, and here's this pomeranian at the end of the row of dogs, and I'm just so nervous inside. What if? But for weeks and weeks we've been doing this stuff and so far, so good....when he's "working." Gee. He will have to be more reliable when we're not working for my liking, CGC or not. LOL.

Ps...that Pomeranian is toooooo cotton pickin cute. Her name is Gwen and she has been worked with a lot. She does everything very pertly and exacting.....so attentive and sits and stays perfectly. All the dogs are good on that except the trainer's Aussie. He still needs more practice. But that is why she's helping some of us with advanced obedience for free after agility class.....because she needs to practice her dog around other dogs. LOL. She's really a nice lady too.

Pugdawg1 · 08-20-2005, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novel

Pugdawg1, check with the AKC. The one today was put on by my all-breed club. They don't advertise it, so there may be some going on around you and you may just not know.

There's not... I've checked.

Novel · 08-20-2005, 05:45 PM

Thanks Crossfire!

Pugdawg, that's too bad. You'll just have to go to an AKC training class and become an evaluator! Then you can hold them all the time!

Carrie, yes, their different modes are something. The dog evaluated before us was a Pommeranian. What a cutie. Of course I didn't know that she had just passed, and she's over saying hi to me, jumping up on me, and I say "Be careful, or you're not going to pass." The evaluator then says, "To get your certificate, just mail this in. Congratulations!" Foot in mouth. Geesh!

***Carrie*** · 08-20-2005, 08:04 PM

LOL. Yup....I worry because, although Lyric is good at class, it doesn't mean he's always, always good when we see another dog elsewhere, so even if he passes, that bothers me if we get a certificate since he's not always, always a good canine citizen where other dogs are concerned. It's like.....dishonest or something like that. So, I'm really going to have to beef up his practice when we're just walking around places where there are other dogs. He is a CGC in every other way...around people, me leaving him (he just watches and doesn't worry at all) and his obedience stuff.

Novel · 08-20-2005, 08:16 PM

When the evaluator signed my slip and said I passed, he said they recommend you retake the test every two years to maintain the actual CGC training. Good recommendation!

***Carrie*** · 08-21-2005, 12:20 AM

Well yes...or just take it upon ourselves to be responsible and continue practicing or exposing our dogs to those tests, taking our dogs into crowds, meeting people and having our dogs maintain their gentlemanly and ladylike ways. LOL. I wouldn't feel right getting a certificate that says my dog is thus and so but really isn't all he can be in that way.

Barrett · 08-21-2005, 12:49 AM

I am trying to get Lucy her CGC too. I don't know if some of you remember but Lucy has a fear of strangers. She used to bark and growl if she saw anyone near us. She was super shy of meeting people and would hide under my feet and bark if someone tried to pet her. I think it is because of being frightened at the pound before I rescued her, possible mistreatment from a previous owner and maybe the pain of her luxating shoulders and the surgeries to repair them. I have been working hard with her for about 5-6 months now and she is a changed pup. She actually wags her tail when people ask to pet her now! I can't believe we are actually trying for the CGC test. She has more training to go before I think she can pass it though. She hides from the noise distraction, runs from an umbrella, and cries when I leave her for the 3 minutes. These are the only areas we have to work on. I sure am proud of how far Lucy has come!.

***Cassiepeia*** · 08-21-2005, 02:50 AM

Congratulations!!

Cass.

08-20-2005, 10:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Program Just wanted to say that this is a really nice program, and I would encourage anyone that has a moderately well trained dog to take the test. Topper took it this morning, for $10, and passed with flying colors. The 10 sections were quite easy, and you can communicate with your dog throughout the entire exam. The dog gets a nice tag that says "Canine Good Citizen" and for another $5 you can get a certificate from AKC. I even went the extra mile and bought a bright red shirt that says "Proud Owner of a Canine Good Citizen"!!! A great program!!
	__________________ ~~~My Blog~~~

08-20-2005, 11:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
sammy herding dog lover Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: western canada Posts: 1,089 Rep Power: 113	good on ya Sammy (who I've had for 4 months) , just completed basic obedience and I'm hoping to get CGC with. In Canada it's called Canine Good Neighbor. Did you train specifically for the test? My trainer figured we could have Sammy ready in 6 weeks. We start agility in a few weeks. I'm trying to decide if I should work towards CGN at the same time. Any thoughts? My aim is to eventually do nursing home visitation / pet therapy with him.

08-20-2005, 12:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
momtobella Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 94 Rep Power: 0	I will be taking Bella to get tested in Oct. She needs to take a few more classes before the test. Congratulations on your CGC!
momtobella Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 94 Rep Power: 0

08-20-2005, 12:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pugdawg1 Pug Mom Join Date: May 2004 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 135	I would LOVE to do that, but no one does that around here.
	__________________ www.PugSavers.com

08-20-2005, 02:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,415 Rep Power: 285	Congratulations Novel and Topper!!! Woo hoo...Well done! Lyric's been through the class and we went to take the test a couple of weeks ago and while jumping out of the car, he pulled a muscle in his hind leg and could not sit to do his obedience part of it...was in a lot of pain and was limping for about 2 or 3 days. Then we were to take it last week and there weren't enough people there to make a "crowd" to test the dog around crowds. LOL. So, again, she's hoping to go for it this next Wed at agility/obedience class, or afterward. Good heavens! It is a really good thing to have on your dog. I think the T-shirt sounds awesome!
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-20-2005, 02:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	Sammy, we did not train specifically for the test. Topper has always astounded me in his willingness to do things I ask, and this week he finally got the idea about heeling. He never really gave me the attention I wanted, and was always at the end of the leash, NOT loose lead, but this week, like a lightbulb, he got it. Silly dog. I found out about the test a couple weeks back, yesterday took him through what I could of the test, and today had him take it. He was just so good, but he's very quick to pick up on "working" and "not working". So I made sure he was "working" today. Of course, no one believed he was the same dog as the one there for Conformation classes in March. Then he wouldn't sit for more than a second, whined at every dog he saw, pretty much just fidgeted. Today the second he wasn't working, he sprawled out on the floor and fell asleep. LOL! In fact, during the distraction part of the test, I was told to put him in a comfortable position and leave him. He was supposed to not panic. I put him in a down and he rolled onto his back with his legs in the air while the evaluator rolled a baby strolled past him. The evaluator than dropped a phone book. The stroller elicited no response, and the phone book got him to roll over. LOL. I tell ya. I love this dog! The final section of the test is to have him stay for 3 minutes with another person. I was kind of worried about this section. The evaluator could talk to him, but he couldn't seem overly anxious or panicky. As I was walking away, I got nervous. After the three minutes she called me back over and I asked, "How'd he do?" gritting my teeth. "Oh, just fine, I think he fell asleep." I think the majority of it is the shows. His first show he was so nervous and anxious, but at the time, that was an improvement over his behavior at home. Now it's all pretty ho hum for him. He still loves to get into the ring, but the standing around waiting bores him now. I plan on doing Therapy work with Topper also. He's never been the jump on you kind of dog, and although he is very affectionate, he ignores most people. He's great for people that want to make friends with him on their terms, vs. my Alley who gets in their laps and forces the friendship. She's good for Therapy too, but in a different way! Momtobella, Good Luck on your test. I'll be interested to hear what you thought about the test. If it was what you expected or not. This was much easier than I had expected. Pugdawg1, check with the AKC. The one today was put on by my all-breed club. They don't advertise it, so there may be some going on around you and you may just not know. Carrie, Thank you! Topper deserves it. Laney is next. Then they'll get a better idea about what a Weim is supposed to act like.. Ha! At 10 months she never stops moving, but she does obey, when we're "working"! Good heavens, well, this Wednesday then. Lyric will do just fine! Like I said, it was much easier than I had expected. My hubby liked the shirt. He asked, jokingly, if I'll get one when Topper gets his bench championship. I laughed. If only they made a T-shirt that reflected that amount of work and headache!
	__________________ ~~~My Blog~~~

08-20-2005, 03:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	Congrats to you and Topper!
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-20-2005, 04:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,415 Rep Power: 285	What a major character...going to sleep when you left him. LOL. Just when you thought you were so needed. ROFLOL. The trainer said that she has no doubt at all that Lyric will pass because we've done it all in practice but a test is a test and we have to take it. I know what you mean about the "working" mode and the "non working mode." Lyric can be a butthead still on occasion when we see another dog and he'll act naughty if I don't catch it before he gets that way and warn him, otherwise he's gotten so much better. But at class when we're not just standing around waiting to begin, but when we're "working," be it agility or obedience, he's completely uninterested in the other dogs. It's too weird. We line them up along side eachother in a sit or down/stay for 3 minutes, leave our dogs and he is like glued to the ground, looking straight ahead at me, and here's this pomeranian at the end of the row of dogs, and I'm just so nervous inside. What if? But for weeks and weeks we've been doing this stuff and so far, so good....when he's "working." Gee. He will have to be more reliable when we're not working for my liking, CGC or not. LOL. Ps...that Pomeranian is toooooo cotton pickin cute. Her name is Gwen and she has been worked with a lot. She does everything very pertly and exacting.....so attentive and sits and stays perfectly. All the dogs are good on that except the trainer's Aussie. He still needs more practice. But that is why she's helping some of us with advanced obedience for free after agility class.....because she needs to practice her dog around other dogs. LOL. She's really a nice lady too.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-20-2005, 05:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	Thanks Crossfire! Pugdawg, that's too bad. You'll just have to go to an AKC training class and become an evaluator! Then you can hold them all the time! Carrie, yes, their different modes are something. The dog evaluated before us was a Pommeranian. What a cutie. Of course I didn't know that she had just passed, and she's over saying hi to me, jumping up on me, and I say "Be careful, or you're not going to pass." The evaluator then says, "To get your certificate, just mail this in. Congratulations!" Foot in mouth. Geesh!
	__________________ ~~~My Blog~~~

08-20-2005, 08:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,415 Rep Power: 285	LOL. Yup....I worry because, although Lyric is good at class, it doesn't mean he's always, always good when we see another dog elsewhere, so even if he passes, that bothers me if we get a certificate since he's not always, always a good canine citizen where other dogs are concerned. It's like.....dishonest or something like that. So, I'm really going to have to beef up his practice when we're just walking around places where there are other dogs. He is a CGC in every other way...around people, me leaving him (he just watches and doesn't worry at all) and his obedience stuff.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-20-2005, 08:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,974 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	When the evaluator signed my slip and said I passed, he said they recommend you retake the test every two years to maintain the actual CGC training. Good recommendation!
	__________________ ~~~My Blog~~~

08-21-2005, 12:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,415 Rep Power: 285	Well yes...or just take it upon ourselves to be responsible and continue practicing or exposing our dogs to those tests, taking our dogs into crowds, meeting people and having our dogs maintain their gentlemanly and ladylike ways. LOL. I wouldn't feel right getting a certificate that says my dog is thus and so but really isn't all he can be in that way.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

08-21-2005, 12:49 AM	#14 (permalink)
Barrett dachshund Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 2,758 Rep Power: 156	I am trying to get Lucy her CGC too. I don't know if some of you remember but Lucy has a fear of strangers. She used to bark and growl if she saw anyone near us. She was super shy of meeting people and would hide under my feet and bark if someone tried to pet her. I think it is because of being frightened at the pound before I rescued her, possible mistreatment from a previous owner and maybe the pain of her luxating shoulders and the surgeries to repair them. I have been working hard with her for about 5-6 months now and she is a changed pup. She actually wags her tail when people ask to pet her now! I can't believe we are actually trying for the CGC test. She has more training to go before I think she can pass it though. She hides from the noise distraction, runs from an umbrella, and cries when I leave her for the 3 minutes. These are the only areas we have to work on. I sure am proud of how far Lucy has come!.

08-21-2005, 02:50 AM	#15 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	Congratulations!! Cass.