Bonus Community & Urban Canine

Bonus: REVIEW CGCA & CGCU +

AKC COMMUNITY CANINES

AKC Community CanineSM is the third and most advanced level of the Canine Good Citizen Program. (The STAR PUPPY Training program precedes the CGC.) In AKC Community Canine, dogs can earn the CGCA (Advanced CGC) title. The goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog’s skills in a natural setting. For example, rather than the dog being tested in a ring, in AKC Community Canine, the “walks through a crowd” test item will involve the dog walking through a real crowd at a dog show, on a busy sidewalk, at a training club or in a local park.

AKC Community CanineSM Dogs who pass the AKC Community CanineSM test are eligible to earn the AKC’s “CGCA” title. 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.

AKC COMMUNITY CANINE TEST ITEMS

1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork, or, while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with someone (e.g., at a park).

2. Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring)-does not pull. left and right turn stop fast and slow pace

3. Walks on a loose leash through a crowd. This item is tested in a real crowd, not in a ring.

4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.

5. Sit-stay in small group (3 other people with dogs). Owners and dogs are in an informal group while owners have a conversation.

6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (e.g., purse, computer case, backpack) to approach and pet it. “May I pet your dog?” (Item is put on floor/ground before person pets dog)

7. “Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”

8. Down or sit stay (owner’s choice) at a distance.

9. Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20-ft. (off center) and calls dog. Dog comes past a distractor to return to handler.

10. Dog enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway (on leash, with owner) in a controlled manner.

AKC URBAN CGC TEST ITEMS

Exit/enter doorway with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings. Exit building to start test, additional Public buildings items are below.
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).
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
Crossing street: Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling (on leash, with owner). Crosses street under control.
Ignore food on sidewalk. (Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped).
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 has a meal or snack.
Stairs, steps, or elevator under control.
- Steps (at least 3 - up and down)
- Elevator (Enters under control, exits, rides under control)
Housetrained for apartment, condo, city living. Owner may verify this item. Evaluator may also observe in public buildings, or have observed in training classes.
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.