On September 13, 2008, there will be an AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate (CGC) test that will be held locally. CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs.

Why do pet owners opt to get their dog CGC certified? Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events.

Some of the test items that a dog will need to perform and pass are things such as:

1. Sit and down on command and staying in place

2. Coming when called

3. Reaction to another dog

4. Reaction to distraction

5. Accepting a friendly stranger

6. Sitting politely for petting

7. Out for a walk

I am more than likely going to take Domino through this testing as I would like for him to become a therapy dog in the future. He has a great temperament and is really good around people. (it’s his little sister, Bella, that is the holy terror!) I always have wanted to volunteer at hospitals and assisted living establishments using a therapy dog. It brings such joy to the ill and elderly and brightens up their days.

I do have some worries on some of the tests that he has to pass, specifically reaction to another dog and his reaction to distraction. If he doesn’t pass this time around, then I will continue until he does. I am confident that he will get his CGC certification. It just may take some time.

At any rate, we hope that he does well. He is a really great dog and would love to see him bring joy into other people’s lives too.

Domino