Just read the AKC Good Citizen Criteria - LMAO!

[Jen and Annie]

I just read the AKC Good Citizen criteria and realized that I've got a very BAD citizen.  Mainly it's the 'enthusiastic greeting' to everyone she sees.  She is still young at just under 9 months, but we are really struggling with this!

Who has tips on jumping up!?  This is Annies worst attribute.  She just LOVES People so much and jumps up on everyone she can.  I correct her when she does it, and she 'gets it' once I correct her, but heavens.  This is how it would go if I tried to take Annie to this evaluation:

 

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. This dog jumped on the evaluator and knocked her down. The evaluator was able to pet the dog, but only while the dog had her front paws on the evaluator's chest. FAIL.
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. This dog jumped on the evaluator and knocked her down. The handler kept saying "AH AH AH AH" and tried to control the dog by holding the harness. The evaluator got up with a very wet face from dog kisses. FAIL.

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. The dog appears healthy and well groomed. When the evaluator brushes the dog, the dog tried grabbing the brush, and turning around in circles. The dog jumped on the evaluator and knocked her down. FAIL.

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. The dog started out very attentive and walking calmly on leash with the handler. The dog caught sight of a squirrel and pulled the handlers arm out of socket. The handler was saying "AH AH - Annie, No!", and was dragged on her face along the ground for 3 feet. The dog jumped on the evaluator and knocked them down. FAIL.

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. The dog tried jumping on every single person that walked by. The dog was wagging her tail and wanted to see EVERYONE for a pet. There is no question that this is a friendly dog. The dog jumped on an old woman and tore her dress. FAIL

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. The dog sat when told, and stayed seated for 3 seconds. The dog broke her sit stay and jumped on the handler. The dog turns her attention to the evaluator and jumped on them. FAIL.

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. Surprisingly, The dog actually listens to the handler when she is called. PASSED.

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. The dog approaches the new dog and sniffs it's butt. The two dogs dance in a circle, sniffing each others butts. The dog then gets into a play bow and jumps toward the other dog. The dog then jumps on the other dog's handler. FAIL.

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. The evaluator drops a chair, causing a great noise. The dog runs whimpering to her handlers side, with her tail between her legs and squeezes herself between the handlers legs. The dog then growls at the chair, and remains entangled with her handlers legs. FAIL.

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") The dog whimpers and thrashes at the sight of her handler leaving. The dog pulls away from the evaluator and continues whimpering and scratching at the door that the handler walked through. This dog is a nut case. FAIL.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

With our girls we spent all of our week ends out and about at various places (Home Depot, Lowes, Fairs, Festivals, shopping centers etc.) socializing and practicing things like "sitting to be petted"!  At 9 months you still have very much a puppy, but with training and practice all of these things are within your reach.  Just work all of these things into your daily routines and practice.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, this is perfect advice. Practice & training, training and practice, ...and time. She's still a puppy.  You will both get there if you want to.

JD got his CGC just before his 7th birthday, and he wouldn't have gotten it even then if Adina hadn't dared me into it, lol.  The biggest lesson I learned from our CGC prep class and the actual test is that sometimes our dogs can surprise us with what they can do, and we can surprise ourselves with what we can teach them. :)

 

[Jen and Annie]

I know she has it in her - I have already taught her so many things - I just have to figure out what is going to CLICK with the whole greeting thing.  We still take her out with us every weekend and let her meet people - I just have to shout from about 5 feet away "she might jump on you!" - most people say "oh, it's OK - I have dogs too".  Then she ends up being rewarded for jumping, because people pet her and laugh... I always pull her down, but at her size now it's getting harder and harder... 

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Lol this is hilarious! Really cute & funny! Both mine would fail most too and they are older

[Jen and Annie]

Oh good, LOL. If she didn't jump on everyone, she might just pass - well... she would still fail "startle the dog" one - she is a fraidy cat sometimes, and the grooming one - it's quite a battle of me chasing her around the house to get her brushed!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Put her up on a table or counter when you are trying to brush her.  There is something about being up on something rather than like sitting in a chair or on the floor that makes them "sometimes" behave a little better.  Use some special yummy treats she only gets when grooming.

[Star and Goldie]

BAHAHAHA This is priceless! Thanks for the laugh! Sounds like you've got your hands full with one enthusiastic loving pup!!!

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

LOL!!  I can sooooooooo relate to this.  I swear the outside world doesn't know what a good doodle boy I have.  If he were human he'd be the hostest with the mostest cause he loves meeting new people (and dogs).  

[Jen and Annie]

I know - I feel like her 'greeting style' paints a terrible picture of what an amazing dog she really is - under all that enthusiasm is a very smart and good girl, I promise! 

[Hailey and Oliver]

  Soo funny!  Oliver would fail too!  But when he jumps i usually try to get in front of him and block him from whatever he is seeing   Then if he jumps again bring my knee up and hit him in the chest.  all the impact is done by him, i don't force my knee, Oliver jumps into it.  I mainly read the red parts that described how Annie fails,  it doesn't seem as bad if you only look at the outcome, not what was supposed to happen.  :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here is the thing about taking the CGC. For some reason my dogs knew that this place was not the place to get away with that behavior.

Yes, my dog still is a horrible greeter and especially  to my sons. He just can not contain himself when he sees them every few weeks.  He spins and barks and just shows all the love and excitement. Horrible really.

But at the testing facility, he was PERFECT.  Best in show. 

So, can they act appropriately when called upon but still be a goof at other times?  Yes.

Work on that test.  And, you may have to work on it again in another year.  Training is everyday.   I have some refresher courses I have been working on just this week.

Sorry Spud, I totally forgot I put you in a stay and you sat there all that time :(  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep. I do think they rise to the occasion for us when it counts, lol.