Ideal Age for CGC testing

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Hi guys,

I know that every dog is different and there is no one right answer, I just wondered if there was a general consensus regarding when most dogs are ready to be tested for CGC.

Ludo finishes up Kindergarten in next weekend and while there are teenage and adult classes, it's all learning the same basic behaviors that he actually already knew going into kindergarten.

I personally think he'd be fine doing everything (though I haven't had other people brush him and look in his ears and stuff except the groomer and vet).  He can stay for several minutes even when I go out of sight, he greets people nicely, he is fine walking through groups without being distracted, etc.  However, he's only 6 months and still a puppy.  Am I silly for thinking about this now?  The CGC class would be 6 weeks of practice and then the test (with the trainer that he knows as the evaluator) so we'd still have lots of time to work on things and he'd be 7 or 8 months by the time we tested (since there isn't a class starting right away).

Thanks :)

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

I'm anxious to hear how Ludo does.  Kona quit getting treats at about 6 months.  I wish I had gone for the CGC with him back then when he was on a roll with training and obedience.  I think he would have passed it back then.....not so much today!  Kind of like the Golden Judith mentioned.  He's not off the wall, but he definitely has a few bad habits I've allowed around me that wouldn't be kosher for CGC. (Like standing up on my thigh for a head rub...sweet among us, but not cool with strangers....correctable, but I kind of like it so I just correct him when he looks like he'll do it with a stranger)

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

I'm sure Kona could do it, but I totally know what you mean about certain behaviors that we think are cute but would hinder these kinds of tests.  I'll definitely let everyone know how he does when we take the class.  I also totally know what you mean about being on a roll with training.  That's one of the reasons I want him to continue on now-- both for the continued training while he's young and also because he's definitely in the groove of being trained.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Speaking of not getting as many treats at 6 months...  Ludo has been walking around all night crying for more treats because I ran out of his cloudstar tricky trainers yesterday and they don't arrive until tomorrow.  The world must be ending when you have to settle for freeze dried liver!!! *very dramatic eye roll*

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

Also forgot to mention-- if you plan to do therapy work with him or anything that he might need his CGC for, double check with the organization you'd be registering with. A few that I've talked to around here won't accept a CGC achieved before a year old (even though they can technically sit for the test at 6 months). If you got it before a year old, you need to re-test after a year old and pass again. I think it helps to bypass some of that "summer break" mentality a lot of dogs get if they take puppy classes, go right into the CGC and then stop training.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Oh wow!  I hadn't heard of this.  I am thinking about training Ludo for therapy so I just sent an email to my area therapy group and asked what they required.  Definitely something to think about!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned and Clancy could have passed back when we were training - now they have lapsed into lots of bad behaviors - all due to me not continuing their practice.   I say go for it -  if  he doesn't pass this time, he can take it again.

[Cynthia Shoe]

Lambeau took the test at 5.5 months and passed! The paperwork just came in the mail for us to fill out. Do it know while he knows his stuff :) 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Guinness passed his CGC test at about 8 mos.  We did go through the CGC class so by "test time" he was very used to everything that he would have to do.  I cut back on using treats as rewards and transitioned to lots of praise during the class phase because I knew they wouldn't be allowed for the test.  I really enjoyed going through the process and definitely think this would be a great experience for you and Ludo.  Murph was a bit older when he went through CGC....it still amazes me that he was able to pass.

[Deborah Brown]

Go for it!  It sounds like a fun challenge for the both of you.

We were at Camp Dogwood a while back and they had a CGC test class.  We hadn't prepared for it but I took two of my doodles.  Charlie who is older and calm passed easily.  Penelope was just a puppy then and she almost past but when the instructor tried to touch her, she backed away.  If I took her today, she would do the same thing.  She is a shy dog and would not want a stranger to touch her.  Given a choice, she will always back away.  No amount of training or socialization is changing her personality.  So... give it a try but don't make yourself crazy over it.