Humans have the opportunity for fulfillment in many areas of their lives – through their work, their families, their hobbies, and their relationships. Many dogs, however, are simply left at home throughout the day, alone and with nothing much to occupy their minds. Dogs without stimulation can very often grab their own opportunities for enjoyment – gardening is a good one. For instance, digging holes in not necessarily the right places or planting a cell phone right beneath the rose bush are ways to prove their gardening expertise. Many dogs fancy themselves as interior designers, too! Yes, it can be frustrating, it can be annoying, it is often very expensive, but deal with it – and don’t blame it on the dog for taking matters into his own paws! It’s up to you to train your dog to be a good citizen.
The Canine Good Citizenship Program was the brainchild of the American Kennel Club (AKC) who have been encouraging responsible dog owners since 1989 to teach their doggy pals all about canine etiquette–a happy dog is a happy dog owner–and this program deals with not only being a good citizen in the home but also when you are your dog are out and about in public enjoying long walks in the park or perhaps down a crowded street. Successful participants are rewarded with an AKC certificate to show that they and their dogs are good citizens. It is important to remember that dogs are not born “good” or “bad” – they are simply made that way through correct treatment or through ignorance.
The CGC Program educates both owners and their dogs. The owners learn how to become responsible dog owners and the dogs themselves learn all about basic good manners. A well mannered dog is not only a joy to live with but it also creates a much safer environment for the people and the dog . A well trained dog can be kept safe from potentially dangerous situations, for example.
The Canine Good Citizenship Program is a 10 step, two program test, and everyone who achieves the minimum requirement at each level will officially become a “good citizen” and receive a certificate to prove it. This program is open to all dogs, including mixed breeds, and just so long as they’ve had all of their immunization vaccines they are good to go. There is no upper age limit, either; a dog is never too old to become a good citizen.
There are many CGC evaluators right across America; in fact, this program has now spread across many parts of the world. Once you believe that you and your dog are ready to face the good citizen test take a look at the AKC website and search for the list of cgc training and evaluators in your area. Registered evaluators may include private trainers, vet techs, veterinarians, AKC judges, some 4-H leaders – there are plenty of them around.
The success of the CGC has been quite remarkable, with many owners choosing to continue their dog training after this initial step and going on to train their dogs in other areas – agility, obedience, or, perhaps, tracking. Call Sandlot K9 Today for the next CGC Training classes in your area.
