AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator

Best Paw Forward is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator. We provide training for the CGC (optional) as well as the testing itself. We are currently taking names for the next CGC test. Date TBA, please email to be included.

Group CGC exams are scheduled according to student/participant demand. I am taking names of those interested and will schedule the dates when there are enough students. I am also able to provide individual testing on a limited basis.

Cost for group prep class and test $60, group test only $35.00 pre-registration is required

Cost for individual test without prep class, $60

Mixed breeds are very welcome to take the test and earn a CGC.

Congratulations to our newest CGC dogs who earned their award 11/20/11

Pam & Hannah, Debbie & Riley, Colton with Gunner and Bullet, Rebecca and Jack.

About 40,000 dogs receive their CGC annually

But compared to 73 million dogs in the USA, you are now among the truly elite!

The AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) is a certification program that is designed

to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. As stated

above, this award puts you in a very select category. This program is available to

both mix and pure bred dogs, any dog is eligible to earn a CGC.

The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible

pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the

10-step CGC test will receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club suitable

for framing. (see list of steps below). The CGC is a requirement before entering many

therapy dog programs such as the National Delta Society.

From AKC website regarding legislation:

42 States have passed Canine Good Citizen resolutions, Florida being one of them. (House Resolution 2521) Unlike laws, resolutions have no enforcement power, but they can be used as a great vehicle for educating legislators. The resolutions signify an endorsement of the AKC CGC program at the state level. The support provided by the state legislatures that have endorsed the program clearly demonstrates that CGC is becoming increasingly accepted as the nationwide gold standard in basic training. Practicing responsible dog ownership is the best way to combat restrictive dog legislation and ensure that reasonable ordinances are proposed in every community. Additionally, police and animal control agencies use CGC for dealing with dog problems in communities; therapy dog groups use CGC as a partial screening tool; and some 4-H groups around the country have been using the CGC as a beginning dog training program for children.

I became a certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator in 2002 and have tested countless dogs since that time. In November 2004, the AKC raised the standards for evaluators and a testing process was implemented. Best Paw Forward holds a CGC test several times a year. An optional 2 week class is usually held to help the students learn the CGC skills, brush up on their manners, and learn what the test procedure is. .My students have a 98% pass rate when taking the CGC. This is due to the strong training skills they have coming out of obedience class as well as the clear understanding of the test procedures and rules given during our prep classes.

Call or email for more information

Individual testing is available

(call for more information)

Phone: (850) 572-0653

E-mail: Instructor

No training collars, food or corrections are allowed. Encouragement is allowed and recommended.

10 steps required to pass the CGC:

1. Sit & Down 6. Reaction to distractions

2. Stay 7. Reaction to neutral stranger (shaking hands, no petting of dog)

3. Come when called 8. Sit politely for petting

4. Loose leash walking 9. Reaction to other dogs

5. Walking through a crowd 10. Out of sight (owner leaves dog w/evaluator for 3 min)