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AKC CGC & Urban CGC Titles

FAQ

Why should I take the test?

The CGC, and Urban CGC is an entry level test that shows you have overall control of your dog. It is the pre-requisite to many other tests or titles if you wish to continue in that direction. It is also good to have in case of housing or insurance situations that need documentation of a well mannered dog.

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Does my dog need to be registered with AKC?​

No. The only instance you would need a registration is if you would like their AKC registered name to have a "CGC" at the end.

EXAMPLE: Kobe Von MSK9 CGC CGCU 

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If I pass the CGC or urban CGC test, can I bring my dog into businesses as my ESA dog?

No. The only dog allowed into businesses are service dogs that provide a task for their one handler.

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Am I allowed to have treats on me or my training collars?

Treats and toys are not allowed during the CGC or Urban CGC test, but you are allowed to verbally praise as much as you would like. Training collars are not allowed to be used during the test.

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How is the test scored?

The test is a pass or fail. Aside from not completing the test items, a dog can fail if they jump on people, potty inside, show aggression, or show extreme anxiety/fear.

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Are there any pre-requisites? 

There are no requirements for the CGC test however, you will need to have passed the CGC before testing the Urban CGC. Your CGC test can be from any evaluator. We typically hold a 5 week group class for the Urban CGC, where at the end of the 5 weeks you have the option of testing. Keep your eye out for the next class!

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CGC Test Items

1. Accepting a friendly stranger-

With your dog next to you, the evaluator will approach you and your dog and exchange a "how are you" and a handshake. Your dog must not jump on the evaluator, show fear, or aggression. This is to show your dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach you in an everyday situation.



2. Sitting politely for petting

With your dog next to you in a sit , the evaluator will approach you and ask to pet your dog. The evaluator will then briefly pet your dog and walk away. Your dog may stand in place, but not jump, pull on leash, show fear, or aggression.



3. Appearance and Grooming

With your dog next to you, the evaluator will approach your dog and check that your dog is well groomed and a healthy weight. The evaluator will then lift an ear, lift a paw, and brush your dog softly with a comb. This is to show your dog will allow other people to groom, or examine when necessary.



4. Out for a walk

With your dog on either side of you, you and your dog will demonstrate loose leash walking. The evaluator will call you through a left turn, right turn, about turn, and two halts with your dog sitting next to you each time.​



5. Walking through a crowd

With your dog on either side of you walking with a loose leash, you and your dog will walk through a crowd of at least 3 people. Your dog may not jump, pull, show aggression, or fear. ​



6. Sit and down on command and stay in place

After replacing your leash with a 20ft long line and wit your dog next to you, the evaluator will ask you to put your dog in a sit and down. The evaluator will then ask you to walk to the end of your 20ft leash, turn and face your dog, and return to your dog at a normal pace. The dog must stay in the same position as when you left it until the evaluator says "exercise finished".



7.Coming when called

The evaluator will ask you to walk 10ft away from your dog, turn and face your dog. The evaluator will then ask you to call your dog. You may talk to your dog to encourage him/her to come to you.



8. Reaction to another dog

Two owners and their dogs will walk towards each other from a distance, stop to shake hands all while their dogs politely stay with them, and ignoring the other dog. ​



9. Reaction to distraction

The evaluator will select and present two distractions that may include dropping a chair, rolling a wheelchair past the dog, having a volunteer jog past your dog, or dropping a metal bowl. Your dog may show interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggression, or bark.



10. Supervised Separation

The evaluator or helper will take your leash as you walk away from your dog to a designated out of sight area. Your dog does not have to hold any particular position but should not show signs of aggression, continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily. If your dog knows a climb or place command MSK9 will allow a climb stay during supervised separation.



Urban CGC Test Items

1. Exit/enter doorway with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings

With your dog next to you on a loose leash, you will walk your dog through an entrance and exit of a dog friendly building. Prepare for different entryway doors as some businesses have a push/pull door and some have sliding doors.



2. Walk through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk.

Dog and owner will walk through a busy crowd on a loose leash. The evaluator is assesing how your dog tolerates distractions (people wearing hats, coats, men, women, etc).



3. Appropriate reaction to city distractions.

This includes movement, noises, and walking on a variety of surfaces. Examples: Noises: horns, sirens, construction noise, etc. Moving objects: skateboard, bike, carts, person running Surfaces: concrete, grass, grates, plastic tarp, wet sidewalk



4. Crossing street

Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling (on leash, with owner). Crosses street under control.



5. Ignore food on sidewalk

Evaluator will drop an enticing article that once held food. You and your dog will walk by it while your dog ignores the food. A dog that picks up the article will result in a fail.



6. Person walks up and pets the dog

May be carrying an item such as a small dog in a bag, a computer bag, etc. Person does not put the bag down to pet the dog.



7. Public Building (that is dog friendly).

Walks under control in building (slick surface, carpeted floor). Down stay (3 min) in lobby or outdoor area, or waits while owner has a meal or snack.



8. Stairs, steps, or elevator under control

Steps (at least 3 – up and down) Elevator (Enters under control, exits, rides under control)



9. Housetrained for apartment, condo, city living

Owner may verify this item. Evaluator may also observe in public buildings, or have observed in training classes.



10. Transportation

Car. Enters/exits, remains under control during the ride. (Crate? Seatbelt?)