The following is an outline of the AKC's Canine Good Citizen from Mary R. Burch, PhD written on behalf of dog trainers in Pasco County Florida for county level implementation.
The "CGC" program started in 1989.
Since that time, 500,000 dogs have passed the CGC Test and earned the Canine
Good Citizen award. The CGC Test is becoming widely recognized as the minimum
standard of behavior for dogs in our communities.
With only 6 to 8 weeks of training (attending
a class 1 hour per week and the owner/dog practicing 15-minutes per day), most
dogs are ready to pass the CGC Test. The
program also requires dog owners to sign the Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge.
A number of the leading insurance companies
require the CGC award for homeowner's insurance, some dog parks require CGC as
a prerequisite for admission, and an increasing number of condos and apartments
are requiring resident dogs to earn the CGC award. In Sequim, Washington, licensing fees are
discounted for dogs with the CGC award.
The Florida legislature passed the first
Canine Good Citizen Resolution in 1991. The resolution endorses the Canine Good
Citizen concept and since 1991, 34 states and the United States Senate have
passed CGC resolutions.
The AKC does not financially benefit from the
CGC classes; the fees for instruction are paid to local dog trainers. Owners
who have the skills may also train their dogs for the CGC test themselves.
Below are a few ideas Dr. Burch has on implementing a CGC program at the county level:
- Brochures handed out to owners of dogs who
have animal control violations
- Sign in vet offices
- CGC class held at the shelter
- CGC training for some of the shelter dogs;
advertise as CGC dogs
For more information please visit the
Canine Good Citizen site.