AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy

is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an excellent first in-person training class for puppies. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy provides a good lead-in to earning the Canine Good Citizen title.

STAR stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner and in six weeks of STAR puppy classes, puppies and dogs learn the following behaviors and skills:

OWNER BEHAVIORS:

1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)

2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge

3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan

4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator

5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy

6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.

PUPPY BEHAVIORS:

7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class

8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class

9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice

10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)

11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS:

12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner

13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)

14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)

15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away

16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure

17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure

18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called

19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away

20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

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AKC Canine Good Citizen Test Items

The AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program provides a perfect framework for training your dog to become a polite member of society. 

The 10 test items on the CGC test are practical, functional behaviors that every dog should have to be welcomed in the community.

The CGC title is a prerequisite for many therapy dog certifications, as well as a great introduction to more advanced dog sports and activities.

To earn the Canine Good Citizen Title, dogs must:

1. Accepting a friendly stranger
   Evaluator approaches and pretends to shake hands with handler (hands 6- 12” apart). Evaluator does not touch dog.

2. Sitting politely for petting
   Evaluator pets dog; dog must show no shyness or resentment.

3. Appearance and grooming
   Evaluator inspects dog, combs or brushes lightly, examines ears and each front foot.

4. Out for a walk
   Handler takes dog for a short walk including right turn, left turn, about turn and stop.

5. Walking through a crowd
   Dog and handler walk close to several people; dog may show causal interest but not jump up.

6. Sit and down on cue/Staying in place
   Handler shows that dog can do both sit and down, then chooses a position, leaves dog and goes to the end of a 20 ft. line, and returns immediately.

7. Coming when called
   With dog still on 20 ft. line from Test 6, handler walks out 10 ft. and calls the dog.

8. Reaction to another dog
   Two handlers and dogs approach, pretend to shake hands (hands 6-12” apart), exchange pleasantries, then move on.

9. Reaction to distractions
   Distractions are presented; dog may not panic or show aggression.

10. Supervised separation
Handler goes out of sight for 3-min. Dog is held on a 6-ft. leash by an evaluator.

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AKC Community Canine is the advanced level of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program. Dogs who pass the AKC Community Canine test earn the official AKC Community Canine title that is designated by the letters “CGCA” (Advanced CGC) on the dog’s title record.

AKC Community Canine Test Items

To earn the CGCA title, the dog must:

1. be registered or listed with AKC (AKC number, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number) and,

2. already have a Canine Good Citizen award/title on record.

Dogs must pass all 10 items of the test to receive the CGCA title.

1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner:

   • sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork, or,

   • if the test is done in the community, dog waits while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with another person (e.g., at a park)

2. Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring) — does not pull.

   • left turn

   • right turn

   • stop

   • fast and slow pace

3. Walks on loose leash through a crowd:

   • at a show or in class, this item is tested in a real crowd, not in a ring

   • in the community, dog walks on sidewalk, through a crowd at a community fair, park, on a trail, through a busy hallway, etc.

4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.
   This item may be tested along with #3 if there are dogs in the crowd, etc.

   • at a show or class, dog walks by dogs waiting in the crowd–dogs 2 ft. apart

   • in the community, dog walks by other dogs on a trail, sidewalk, in a hallway, etc.

5. Sit-stay in small group (two other people with dogs, total of 3 people, 3 dogs in group).

6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it.
   “May I pet your dog?” (Item is placed on floor/ground before the person pets the dog)

7. “Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”
   This can be food placed by the evaluator on the floor or ground in a food dish with a wire cover as in Rally.

8. Down or sit stay — distance (owner’s choice).
   Dog is on 20–ft line, owner walks away with back to dog, picks up an item (e.g., backpack, training bag, clipboard, folder etc.) placed on the floor/chair/ground by the evaluator and returns to the dog.

9. Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20–ft. **(off center) and calls dog.
   Dog is on the 20–ft. line from #8 above.

10. Dog will sit or stand stay (owner’s choice) while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Owner calls dog through door when ready.
    Owner may also choose to:

    1. send the dog through first and have the dog wait for the owner, or

    2. the owner may choose to have the dog go through the doorway at the owner’s side.

    Whichever method is used, the dog must not pull the owner and must be under good control. Think of the handler having the leash in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
    Doorway or gate can be real or simulated with ring gates, two chairs, or a natural passageway (e.g., entrance to trail) in the community.

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AKC Urban CGC requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in an urban setting. As with Canine Good Citizen, AKC Urban CGC has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Urban CGC title. This is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.

AKC Urban CGC Test Items

1. Exit/enter doorway with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings. Exit building to start test, additional Public buildings items are below.

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

   • People come toward the dog from 1-ft. away

   • Tolerate 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. (Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped).

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. Owner’s choice depending on transportation needs.

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

    • Subway. Small dog in bag for ride. (large dogs are not always permitted; know and abide by the Transit Policies in your area).

    • Dog friendly (enters/exits or allows to be put in/taken out) under control.

To pass the CGCU test, dogs must pass all 10 items of the test.

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AKC Therapy Dog

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Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.

From working with a child who is learning to read to visiting a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people.

Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability. An example of a service dog is a dog who guides an owner who is blind, or a dog who assists someone who has a physical disability. Service dogs stay with their person and have special access privileges in public places such as on planes, restaurants, etc. Therapy dogs, the dogs who will be earning the AKC Therapy Dog™ title, do not have the same special access as service dogs.

It is unethical to attempt to pass off a therapy dog as a service dog for purposes such as flying on a plane or being admitted to a restaurant.