AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing
The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification is the gold standard in dog behavior. Our dog trainer Sean Martin is a certified AKC CGC evaluator — we can test your dog and help you prepare.
The 10 CGC Test Items
The AKC Canine Good Citizen test evaluates your dog's behavior in 10 real-world scenarios. Your dog must pass all 10 to earn certification.
Accepting a Friendly Stranger
Dog allows a friendly stranger to approach and speak to the handler
Sitting Politely for Petting
Dog allows a friendly stranger to pet them while sitting
Appearance and Grooming
Dog permits brushing and basic handling by an evaluator
Walking on a Loose Leash
Dog walks attentively on a loose leash with turns and stops
Walking Through a Crowd
Dog moves politely through a group of people without pulling
Sit, Down, and Stay on Command
Dog demonstrates sit, down, and stays in place on command
Coming When Called
Dog comes reliably when called from 10 feet away
Reaction to Another Dog
Dog behaves politely around another dog and handler
Reaction to Distractions
Dog remains confident when faced with common distractions
Supervised Separation
Dog remains calm when handler goes out of sight for 3 minutes
Why Get CGC Certified?
The Canine Good Citizen certification is more than a title — it has real-world benefits for you and your dog.
How It Works
Assessment
We evaluate where your dog currently stands on each of the 10 test items. This tells us what needs work and how much preparation is needed.
Preparation Training (Optional)
If your dog isn't ready to test, we can prepare them through private sessions or Board & Train. Most Board & Train graduates are already CGC-ready.
Official CGC Test
When your dog is ready, Sean administers the official AKC CGC test. The test takes about 20-30 minutes and is conducted in a real-world setting.
Certification
Pass all 10 items and your dog earns the official AKC Canine Good Citizen title. You'll receive certification documentation from the AKC.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The CGC test is open to all dogs — purebred and mixed breed, any age. The only requirement is that your dog can demonstrate the 10 test items reliably.
No. The CGC test does not allow treats, toys, or training aids during the evaluation. Your dog must respond to verbal commands and handler guidance only.
You can retest. There's no penalty for failing, and most dogs that fail just need a bit more practice on one or two items. We'll tell you exactly what to work on.
Contact us to schedule. We can do individual testing or group testing events. If your dog completed our Board & Train program, we often include CGC testing as part of the graduation process.
Earn Your Dog's CGC Certification
Whether your dog is ready to test or needs preparation, our certified AKC evaluator can help. Book an assessment to find out where your dog stands.
Book Your Free Assessment