Ten skills, no gimmicks. Learn what the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program actually tests, and why it's worth working toward even if you never compete.
What the CGC actually is
The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is the American Kennel Club's baseline good-manners certification. It covers ten skills showing how a dog behaves at home, around strangers, and around other dogs. It isn't a competition and it isn't obedience-trial-level precision; it's a practical bar for 'is this dog safe and pleasant to have in public,' which is exactly why it doubles as a foundation for therapy-dog and some service-dog programs. If your dog is under one year old, the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is an AKC-designed optional lead-in to CGC.
Ira Smith is an AKC-approved CGC evaluator and S.T.A.R. Puppy instructor, so testing happens as part of the Saturday group gatherings in Henderson rather than as a separate appointment.
The ten skills, in plain terms
Accepting a friendly stranger without breaking position. Sitting politely for petting. Basic grooming and handling, letting a vet or groomer look them over. Walking on a loose lead. Walking through a crowd. Sit and down on command, plus staying in place. Coming when called. Behaving politely around another dog. Reacting calmly to a distraction (a dropped item, a jogger). Supervised separation from the owner for three minutes without panicking.
None of it is exotic. It's the same fundamental obedience taught in every K-9 Handler® package (heel, sit, stay and come), tested under real-world distraction instead of a quiet living room.
Have a dog who could use this?
Start with a 2–3 hour evaluation and first training visit at your home, $199, included in every package.
Beyond the basic CGC
AKC Community Canine (CGCA) raises the bar to more realistic public settings such as a parking lot or a crowded sidewalk. AKC Urban CGC (CGCU) adds city-specific tests: crossing at a curb, walking through a doorway, ignoring food on the sidewalk. Both build directly on the base CGC and are tested the same way, through the group program.
Why bother if you're not going into therapy or service work
Because the ten CGC skills are the same ten things that make a dog easy to live with: a dog that doesn't jump on guests, walks without dragging you down the block, and comes back when called. The title is a nice side effect of training you'd want to do anyway.
Related training
About the author
Ira Smith
Owner & Certified Professional Dog Trainer
USAF veteran dog handler, training dogs since 1974, 52+ years. AKC evaluator and S.T.A.R. Puppy instructor, Alliance of Therapy Dogs national tester, IAADP provider member.
