Canine Good Citizen Test

[Leslie and Halas]

I just found out yesterday (Saturday) that they will be doing the CGC test at our obedience club on Friday. I've wanted to do this with Halas for awhile, so I've been conscious of the items on the CGC list for a long time. I feel like he can do most (maybe all) of the items, but I'm not sure if he can do them every time yet. I know we'll have some difficulty with sitting calmly to be greeted. He's gotten better about not jumping up, but he's still pretty enthusiastic. We're going to go to the testing. If we decide it's too soon, we'll just sit and watch to see exactly what goes on. But I'm hoping we can go through the test. If we don't pass, it will at least be good experience.

But I do have a couple of questions for those of you who have been through it: Does it make sense to take the test even if we can't do 100% of the test items 100% of the time? How do they grade? Do you have to be perfect, or is there a little room for error (I know there are specific things that automatically disqualify you, like biting or peeing inside, so I don't mean those things)?

I e-mailed one of the trainers that we've worked with in a couple of our obedience classes, and she said we should at least come and watch, and she feels that we should take the test. We've been through Puppy class, Manners class, Beginner obedience (twice, just because we weren't ready for some of the things in Novice class), and now we're in Novice class. So he definitely KNOWS how to do all of the test items. Halas just still has times where he doesn't feel like DOING the things he knows how to do. He turned 14 months old yesterday, so he's still very young, but I know dogs a lot younger than that have taken and passed the CGC test.

So, should we go for it?

Thanks, I really appreciate any advice or thoughts you can share with me.

[Adina P]

You don't have to be 100%, 100% of the time. But it also depends on the evaluator. Our evaluator was extremely easy on us. Rosco was way worse than he had been in ages and his passing was pure grace!

You CAN repeat a command a couple times so it's not like a real obedience test. Work on polishing the hardest part over this week and then go for it!

[Leslie and Halas]

Cool. Thanks! Our normal Tuesday obedience class is turning into a CGC prep class this week, so I'm going to try really hard to go to that. I have a seminar (about 2.5 hours away) that day, and probably won't be back in town until 7:30 or so, so I was going to skip class this Tuesday, but now I want to try to go, no matter how tired I am. It doesn't start until 8:00. Halas will be at his Grammy's house all day, so he won't be too wound up when I get home. It would be nice to get some good practice in. We need to practice around distractions. I'm starting to get excited about it!

[20xlhzzaoccks]

I would say go for it for sure. Our evaluator was pretty lenient as well because Steve did show interest in the other other dog that passed by but he still passed the test. I have actually taken a group obedience class that leads up to the CGC three times now. He passed the first time at 8 months but we went through the class again (different places each time) for more socialization and practice when he was a year and a half and then again at two. My thinking is they can never have too much practice and they get better at the skills as they get older. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Cindy]

Can't speak for all the tests but our evaluators were very easy. I was really nervous because Doodlebug is very enthusiastic too and he even knocked over the testers chair with his tail. They just laughed. Obviously jumping up would be bad but I think they really want most people to pass. Good luck. Cindy and Doodlebug

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm taking 1/2 day off Friday. We'll go to the dog park to play; do some training; and head to the test at 5:30. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

We are in our 2nd week of Canine Good Citizen class and I'm very encouraged at how well Zeke is doing. We pracitced some of the elements tonight that I thought would give him trouble and he did GREAT. Our test is at the end of a six week class so we have plenty more practice to come. Everything looks good so far!

[Cindy]

My doodle was 6 when we took the test but still so enthusiastic that his wagging tail took out the examiners table with her tools on it. He still passed in fact I think they enjoyed his happiness. That is a key factor in a good Therapy Dog. In my test they were pretty lenient but frankly there were close to 100 dogs there. The fact that the dogs could perform the tasks at all was pretty amazing. Bottom line is it certainly wouldn't hurt to take the test. If Halas passes you might want to look for Therapy situations with children vs. elderly which could be better suited to his temperament. That is what I did with my Dude. We tried elderly situations which he handled well but he loves being with children so that is where we focus. Good Luck. Cindy and Doodle

[fergie11]

Fergie and I just took the test. She will be 14 months old tomorrow. She passed with flying colors. They aren't real picky on this. It was very easy. I think most dogs with any training at all that aren't all hyper should pass. They said jumping up on people would kill you but other than that it was pretty easy. Try it - I'm sure you'll pass. Otherwise, there is always next time.

[Sharon Banks]

Jake is in the advance class , we are trying to get him to be able to pass the test, but he loves people so much that when someone gets close to him sometimes he will jump up on them, can any body tell me how to cure this problem? He knows all his commands good, sometimes he does;t feel like doing it but he no's them.He is 14 months old.We have been taking him to public places as much as we can so he will get usrd to alot of people walking around, does anyone else have any idea's? Thanks

[Beverley S. LaLonde]

Yes! Take the test and remember you can talk to your dog to reassure him and make him comfortable during the testing.
Chloe passed at 10 months and that was remarkable. Along with being pure grace also! Harlee did at 8 Months and did really well.
Bev,Harlee & Chloe