What Is Advantage Of Being A Canine Good Citizen?

[W Sibs]

Charlie is a certified CGC now (yay Charlie!!)

Now what?

I'm going to get Charlie to try to be a therapy dog next year after his second birthday.

Anyone has a CGC dog? And, what are the advantages of having one?

He will be getting a tag and leash stating that he is a Canine Good Citizen now

[raineth]

don't now but... well done to you and Charlie

It would be cool if CGC could get more public access or something wouldn't it?

[W Sibs]

thanks

I was hoping that it would give him more public access

[TerraNik]

I don't think there are any advantages except that you have proved Charlie is an uber awesome dog who is well behaved It's not a very common thing here - hasn't quite taken off as well as overseas.

But hooray to you and Charlie!!

[cassie]

Does it mean you get discounted council registratrion?

[W Sibs]

Thanks Nik!! Charlie is awesome (yes, i'm bias)

Cassie: I'm not sure. I don't think it matters now because Charlie has a lifetime registration.

[tlc]

Charlie is a certified CGC now (yay Charlie!!)

Now what?

I'm going to get Charlie to try to be a therapy dog next year after his second birthday.

Anyone has a CGC dog? And, what are the advantages of having one?

He will be getting a tag and leash stating that he is a Canine Good Citizen now

Well done guys!

Why wait to get Charlie tested for Therapy dogs, he sounds like he would be an awesome candidate!!

[Tay.]

I didn't even know dogs here could be a CGC.

I think they have it almost like a title in the AKC, I've seen dogs with CGC after their name.

But well done Charlie

[Bully]

Well done Charlie :)

[spitzbaby]

Congrats cwew! And Charlie well donee

[W Sibs]

Thanks everyone ;)

There was a written test and a practical test for Charlie. I just pass the written test but Charlie scored 100% for his test...

DogSportObsessed - that would be awesome it was a title.. Charlie CGC. It will be his one and only title (unless he can do Rally O :p )

tlc - Don't they have to be over 2 years old to be a therapy dog?

[tlc]

For Delta it is 18 mths old heres the web site for Delta if you want to have a looky.

http://www.deltasociety.com.au/home

[W Sibs]

For Delta it is 18 mths old heres the web site for Delta if you want to have a looky.

http://www.deltasociety.com.au/home

Oh thank you!!

[spitzbaby]

Cwew can you point me to CGc info for Australia? Kairu says he wants to be one too

Edited December 16, 2010 by spitzbaby

[W Sibs]

Cwew can you point me to CGc info for Australia? Kairu says he wants to be one too

:p

Kairu needs to be a year old to go for it but Delta runs the courses.

[spitzbaby]

oh! and I have to start my brain to wanting to do work too..

is it a hard course for the humans? hahaha

[W Sibs]

oh! and I have to start my brain to wanting to do work too..

is it a hard course for the humans? hahaha

Not really. The written test is common sense questions and I googles the answers a lot

Hardest is the training the dog part

I'm thinking of putting Emmy into the program but not till she a bit older though... when she is more calmer

[Yarrowfell]

The CGC is not really common in Australia unfortunately. We have run 2 so far in the ACT and qualified about 30 dogs (not all mine). We are looking at running another around April next year. It is not an ANKC title (yet) but is a great idea for the dogs and really teaches good manners.

There are 10 exercises for the dogs and a written test for the owner:

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 i! nstructs 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").

[jacqui835]

Such a pity, seems to me like this could be a means through which to improve how much effort people put into their dogs, and change opinions about what is standard/normal behaviour for dogs in public. I wish that this meant you could have your dog in places that are otherwise dog free, like more beaches/parks etc. Seems unfair that there are consequences for having a poorly behaved dog, but no incentives for creating a better behaved and well balanced one.

[W Sibs]

Such a pity, seems to me like this could be a means through which to improve how much effort people put into their dogs, and change opinions about what is standard/normal behaviour for dogs in public. I wish that this meant you could have your dog in places that are otherwise dog free, like more beaches/parks etc. Seems unfair that there are consequences for having a poorly behaved dog, but no incentives for creating a better behaved and well balanced one.

I was hoping that too.

If they do that, I'm sure a lot of people who try to get their dog to be a CGC. I would like to take Charlie on public transport with me, so we can go to the city and hang out. I don't like driving and parking in the city is hell.