Evaluations

The AKC Canine Good Citizen program teaches manners and obedience skills that every dog should have in order to become a polite member of society. The ten-skills covered on the CGC test to be done without food rewards are:

• Accepting a friendly stranger who approaches, but does not touch the dog

• Sitting politely for petting

• Appearance and grooming-allows brushing by others and brief handling (ears, feet)

• Walks on a loose leash in a simulated setting including right turns, left turns, about turns, and stops

• Walking through a crowd near other people and dogs in a simulated setting

• Sit and down on cue and stay in place 20-ft. away

• Coming when called 10-ft. away

• Reaction to another dog as handlers and dog approach each other

• Reaction to distraction during audio/visual interruption

• Supervised separation while the handler is out of sight for 3 min.

Want to learn these skills with your pup? Enroll in our Essential Life Skills course.

Need more details on the title requirements? Visit the American Kennel Club's CGC page.

The AKC Advanced Canine Good Citizen or Community Canine program helps to ensure that you have a well-behaved dog while you are out and about in the community. While the CGC happens in a simulated environment, the Community Canine is conducted in real life situations—like walking on a sidewalk or through a local park. The ten-skills covered on the CGCA test to be done without food rewards are:

• Dog waits under control for 3 min. with the owner while preoccupied

• Walks on a loose leash in a natural setting and does not pull including right turns, left turns, stops, and fast and slow paces

• Walks on loose leash through a crowd in a natural setting

• Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.-dogs 2-ft. apart

• Sit-stay in small group (total of 3 people, 3 dogs in group) for 3 min.

• Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it. Person puts the bag down to pet the dog.

• Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions to “Leave it”

• Down or sit stay for distance of 20-ft. while owner walks away with back to dog, picks up an item (e.g., backpack, clipboard, etc.) placed on the floor/chair/ground and returns to the dog

• Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20–ft. (off center) and calls dog.

• Dog will sit or stand stay while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Dog must not pull the owner and must be under good control.

Want to learn these skills with your pup? Enroll in our Neighboorhood Prep course.

Need more details on the title requirements? Visit the American Kennel Club's CGCA page.

The AKC Canine Good Citizen Urban program prepares your dog with the skills needed to thrive in an active city or town setting. The CGCU is conducted in busy environments, where there are cars, streets to be crossed, noises, and fast-paced distractions. The ten-skills covered on the CGCU test to be done without food rewards are:

• Exit/enter doorway with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings.

• Walk through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk. People come toward the dog from 1-ft. away while tolerating distractions

• Appropriate reaction to city distractions. This includes movement, noises, and walking on a variety of surfaces

• Crossing street: Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross under control with no pulling on leash

• Ignore food on sidewalk such as dropped food or cups

• 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.

• 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 is preoccupied.

• Stairs, steps (at least 3 up and down), or elevator (enter, exits, and rides) under control

• Housetrained for apartment, condo, city living. Owner may verify this item or evaluator may also observe in public buildings

• Transportation. Owner’s choice depending on transportation needs. Example: Dog enters/exits car and remains under control during the ride.

Want to learn these skills with your pup? Enroll in our Real World Ready course.

Need more details on the title requirements? Visit the American Kennel Club's CGCU page.

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program focuses on practical and functional skills that all puppies and owners need to have a great start together. S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility. The 20-skills covered during six weeks of S.T.A.R. puppy classes are:

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

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

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

• Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away

• Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure

• Down on command-Owner may use a food lure

• Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called

• Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away

• Stay on a leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

PUPPY BEHAVIORS:

• Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class

• Free of aggression toward other puppies in class

• Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice

• Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)

• Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

OWNER BEHAVIORS:

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

• Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge

• Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan

• Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy

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

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

Want to learn these skills with your pup? Enroll in our Puppy Fundamentals course.

Need more details on the title requirements? Visit the American Kennel Club's STR page.

The AKC Trick Dog program is a great way to provide your dog with physical and mental exercise while having fun. There are five AKC Trick Titles you and your dog can earn:

• AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN)- Your dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list. If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title.

• AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) – Your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks.

• AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) – Your dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 10 Advanced tricks

• AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) – In this title, handlers perform a short routine with at least 10 tricks with at least 3 tricks using props. 

• AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE) – In the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script. At least 5 props are used.

Want to learn these skills with your pup? Enroll in our Trick Training course.

Need more details on the title requirements? Visit the American Kennel Club's Trick Dog page.

The AKC Fit Dog program was designed to provide a structured, individualized fitness plan that you and your dog can do together. The goal is to improve and maintain the fitness and health of all dogs and their owners. You earn activity points by completing different fitness activities with your pet. There are three levels of AKC fitness titles you and your dog can earn:

• Bronze (FITB) - 5 points

• Silver (FITS - 10 points

•  Gold (FITG) - 20 points

Some examples of categories of activities are:

• AKC Fit Dog Course

• Runs (community runs such as a Turkey Trot, Spring Scurry, etc.)

• Walks and hikes (Independent or Group)

• Unique to You and Your Dog (e.g., swimming, Parkour)

• AKC title that is fitness related (e.g., FAST CAT, agility)

• AKC Parent Club Performance Titles (e.g., pack dog, sledding)

Direction for Dog currently offers the Fit Dog Level 1 course. During an assessment at the final class session, a dog must complete at least 8 of the skills with proper form in order to progress to Level 2. The 10-skills covered during six weeks of Fit Dog Level 1 classes are:

• Nose touch

• Tuck sit

• Front paw targeting

• Shake a paw

• Cookie stretch

• Kick back stand

• Spin left/spin right

• Fold back down

• Cavaletti poles

• Pivot/rear legs

Want to learn these skills with your pup? Enroll in our Fit Dog Level 1 course.

Need more details on the title requirements? Visit the American Kennel Club's Fit Dog page.