AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy: What It Is and When to Enroll in Henderson

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is the American Kennel Club's entry-level puppy program. S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility — the four outcomes the program builds toward. The AKC created it as a practical lead-in to the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program, and as of January 2025, dogs with an AKC registration number, a PAL number, or an AKC Canine Partners number can earn an official AKC title listed on the dog's record.

The program pairs the owner and puppy in a class environment for at least six weeks. At the end, an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator administers a 20-step test covering both owner behaviors and puppy skills. Pass, and you submit an application to the AKC for the certificate or official title. Purebreds and mixed breeds are both welcome.

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is open to dogs up to one year old. There is no published minimum age, but puppies need to be old enough to safely attend class and begin socialization. At The K-9 Handler® LLC, readiness is assessed during the initial in-home evaluation.

If your dog is already past one year before completing the program, the next step is the full Canine Good Citizen evaluation, which is open to any age.

The S.T.A.R. Puppy test has three categories: owner behaviors, puppy behaviors, and pre-CGC skills. Here is what each section requires.

None of these items require competition-level precision. Note: the AKC test allows food lures for the sit and down items (steps 16–17); this is a test accommodation and does not reflect Ira's training method, which uses verbal guidance, coaxing, and praise — no food rewards. The test rewards consistent, cooperative behavior — not an automaton. The full test items and Responsible Owner Pledge are published by the AKC at the resource link below.

The AKC designed S.T.A.R. Puppy as a lead-in to the Canine Good Citizen program. The nine pre-CGC skills in the S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluation — petting, handling, leash work, sit, down, recall, and reaction to distractions — carry into the CGC's ten-item evaluation. The main difference: the CGC removes food lures and raises the distraction level.

After CGC, the progression continues with the AKC Community Canine (CGCA), which tests the same skills in realistic public settings, and the AKC Urban CGC (CGCU), which adds city-specific scenarios. At The K-9 Handler® LLC, AKC title certifications are included in the training packages at no additional charge from the trainer. The S.T.A.R. Puppy official title application submitted to the AKC — if you choose that over the certificate — requires an AKC, PAL, or Canine Partners number. CGC testing happens during the Saturday group gatherings in Henderson, with Ira evaluating.

Ira Smith has been training dogs since 1974, starting as a USAF sentry dog handler. He is an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy approved instructor, an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, and an AKC Community Canine and Urban CGC evaluator. All four AKC progressive title programs are available through The K-9 Handler® LLC.

S.T.A.R. Puppy work begins in the early weeks of any K-9 Handler® package. The Basics package (6 sessions, $899) and the Puppy–Adult Fundamentals package (10 sessions plus 15 Saturday group gatherings, $1,799) both include S.T.A.R. Puppy and CGC preparation. All prices are subject to change; review current pricing on the K-9 Handler® packages page. The $199 initial evaluation is included in every package; training starts during that first visit.

When your puppy is ready for group work, the Saturday gatherings move the program to Bark Park in Henderson. The group runs October through April — May through September are paused because the desert heat in Henderson makes outdoor park sessions unsafe for dogs. Sessions run Saturdays, 9 to 10 am, at Bark Park, area 3, Heritage Park, 350 S. Racetrack Rd., Henderson NV 89015 (entrance off Burkholder Blvd.). Group work covers S.T.A.R. Puppy and CGC skills with other dogs, people, and real-world park distractions. To sign up for the next group session, visit the Saturday group registration page.

If your puppy is reactive or not yet ready for a group, Ira builds toward it one-on-one at a manageable distance. Readiness is decided at the evaluation.

"Socialization of any kind only benefits dogs if they find it enjoyable." — The K-9 Handler® LLC

October is when the Saturday group gatherings resume in Henderson, running through April. Enrolling now gives a dog finishing private lessons the option to join group work while the full season is still ahead. Individual readiness for the group — including socialization history and current skills — is assessed by Ira at the initial evaluation.

If your dog is close to one year old, the S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluation remains an option before moving to the CGC, depending on where the dog is in training. When to start is based on the dog's readiness, not the calendar alone.

Progress depends on your dog's temperament, background, and needs, as well as consistent practice. Specific outcomes are not guaranteed. Puppies with signs of severe fear or aggression may need a veterinarian or qualified animal behaviorist before joining a class.

The Saturday group gatherings at Bark Park in Henderson start back up in October, and the fall class season is the right window for a puppy to begin working toward S.T.A.R. Puppy alongside other dogs. Start with the in-home evaluation and first training lesson — 2 to 3 hours at home, $199, included in every package. To get on Ira's schedule, call 702-882-3694 or request an evaluation online.