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Canine Good Citizen ® Program
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R.D.Os’. Canine Good Citizen ® (CGC) Program.

Wouldn’t be great that dogs didn’t jump on people when being petted, didn’t pull when walking on a leash, came when
called, or didn’t drive crazy and forgot about their owners when greeting other doggies? Wouldn't be great that when the
moment to seek for a new lease you wouldn't have to worry about your dog's weight since he/she has a C.G.C.®
certification that shows his/her capacity to get along with humans? Wouldn’t be great that YOUR DOG did this, and
much more. Well C.G.C ® program is the answer to your prayers, and many common dogs’ behavioral issues.

I. What is CGC®?

The CGC® Program was created by the AKC. It started in 1989, and it is a certification program designed to reward
dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.

Canine Good Citizen Certification it is earned as a final step on your dog’s basic training. R.D.Os. has divided this
basic training on 4 phases:

1 .- Puppy or Beginner.
2 .- Basic or Intermediate.
3 .- Advance.
4 .- CGC ® Test Preparation.

It does not only stress your dog’s good manners, but also a responsible dog ownership.

In a little over one decade, the Canine Good Citizen® Program has begun to have an extremely positive impact in many
of our communities. This is a program that can help us assure that the dogs we love will always be welcomed and well-
respected members of our communities. (Thanks American Kennel Club web-site www.akc.org)

Many other countries (including England, Australia, Japan, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, and Finland) have
developed CGC® programs based on the AKC's CGC® Program. A CGC® Neighborhood Model has been
established, police and animal control agencies use CGC® for dealing with dog problems in communities, some
therapy dog groups use the CGC® as a partial screening tool, and some 4-H groups around the country have been
using the CGC® as a beginning dog training program for children.

Veterinarians have recognized the benefits of well-trained dogs and there are some CGC® programs in place in
veterinary hospitals. State legislatures began recognizing the CGC® program as a means of advocating responsible
dog ownership and 22 states now have Canine Good Citizen® resolutions.

II. To obtain the Canine Good Citizen® certification, the dog must pass a 10-step C.G.C. test.

These steps are: (Thanks American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm )

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. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring
the dog. 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. With the dog
sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk
to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. 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 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. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in
healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly
used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears
and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and
the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.

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. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops.
The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In
either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the
end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The
handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.

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 but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment.
The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people
in the crowd or strain on the leash.

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 (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND
down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash
is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command
to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler's commands.
The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the
evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a
natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs
the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.

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. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.

Test 9: Reaction to distraction

This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The
evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly
past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest
and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The
handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.

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. 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.
Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, "there,
there, it's alright").

III. How can your dog (and you) become C.G.C. certified?

The answer is simple: trough training.

As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog.
Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live
with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they
fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life.
We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you'll
continue training in obedience, agility, tracking, or performance events.

R.D.Os.will start training classes at South Point park, and Flamingo Park oriented to C.G.C certification, but not as a
condition to take the course. These classes will start in approximately 2 weeks. Linda Smith, member of the Board of
Directors and Head of the Training Program will be glad to answer any question you might have on our training program
and the positive reinforcement policy we use on it, you may contact her at linda@ResponsibleDogOwnersMB.org .
Please check often for the dates.

PUPPY COURSE at South Pointe Park, and Flamingo Park.

Puppy training course will start on April 29, at South Pointe Park ,at 10.30 a.m. and Flamingo Park (check on
Wednesday for the time of this class).
The fee is $100.00 and must be paid at Flamingo Park. On Wednesday will post the contact phone number, and name
at the park.

The Course has 8, 1 hours classes, in 8 weeks. The first class it is for the parents. Your puppy will learn basic
commands, as: sit, stay, leave it, drop it, down, come when called, walk nicely on leash, etc. For a complete curriculum,
please click here.

Each course accepts up to 6 puppies, or dogs, so please hurry up to fill your registration form (click here), and pay the
fee.

At the end of the course, the puppies and their parents will be invited to a graduation ceremony.