From the American Kennel Club:
Canine Good Citizen - Responsible Owners, Well-Mannered Dogs. The AKC's Canine Good Citizen program is recognized as the gold standard for dog behavior. In CGC, dogs who pass the 10 step CGC test can earn a certificate and/or the official AKC CGC title. Dogs with the CGC title have the suffix, "CGC" after their names.

WHAT IS IT?

Welcome to the AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program. Started in 1989, the CGC Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen 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 may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life. We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you'll continue training in obedience, agility, tracking, or performance events.

AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program is one of the most rapidly growing programs in the American Kennel Club. There are many exciting applications of this wonderful, entry level that go beyond the testing and certifying of dogs.

Many other countries (including England, Australia, Japan, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, and Finland) have developed CGC programs based on the AKC's CGC Program. A CGC Neighborhood Model has been established, police and animal control agencies use CGC for dealing with dog problems in communities, some therapy dog groups use the 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.

A number of specialty (one breed only) clubs give the CGC at their annual national dog show. Dog clubs have discovered that the CGC is an event that allows everyone to go home a winner. Veterinarians have recognized the benefits of well-trained dogs and there are some CGC programs in place in veterinary hospitals. State legislatures began recognizing the CGC program as a means of advocating responsible dog ownership and 34 states now have Canine Good Citizen resolutions.

In a little over one decade, the Canine Good Citizen Program has begun to have an extremely positive impact in many of our communities. This is a program that can help us assure that the dogs we love will always be welcomed and well-respected members of our communities.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

All dogs, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome to participate in the AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program. Dogs must be old enough to have received necessary immunizations such as rabies vaccines. Owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge attesting to having the dog under the routine care of a veterinarian who will work with the owner to determine an appropriate plan and schedule for vaccines and other health care procedures.

There is no age limit for the CGC test. A dog is never too old to be a good citizen. Puppies who have completed all immunizations and boosters may be tested, however, because we know that behavior and temperament can change over time, when puppies pass the CGC test, owners should have them re-tested as adults.

There are a few exceptions relating to participation in a CGC test. If the CGC test is given at an AKC show, the age requirements for the show apply to CGC also. Further, when the CGC test is administered at an AKC show, the test may be restricted to only dogs entered in the show or to purebred dogs.

Some dogs who are entered in CGC tests will have completed CGC classes or basic obedience classes. Owners who have trained their dogs themselves may also have their dogs tested. Clubs and training programs in almost every city can provide CGC training to owners and dogs who need to learn a few more skills before taking the test.

ACK has also added 2 more CGC levels you can find more information about them by clicking the buttons below:

AKC Temperament Test

From the American Kennel Club:
Temperament has been defined as an animal’s personality, makeup, disposition, or nature.

WHY TAKE THE ATT?

The AKC Temperament Test can provide you with interesting information about your dog’s temperament. For purebred dogs, there is a national parent club for every AKC recognized breed. Each breed’s national parent club has a written breed standard that includes information on the breed’s temperament.

Taking the ATT allows you, the dog’s owner, to determine how close your purebred dog’s temperament is to the breed standard. For mixed breed dogs, taking the ATT may provide the dog owner with insight about the temperament of an individual dog.

The ATT provides information about a dog’s reactions to a variety of stimuli. Stimuli are basically any object or event that can be detected by an animal’s senses. Examples of stimuli are sounds, smells, touches, and objects that the animal sees.

ATT testing can identify behaviors related to temperament that can be addressed through training.

If a dog passes the ATT on two occasions, under two different evaluators, the owner may apply for the AKC Temperament Test (ATT) suffix title.  The ATT Title Application along with the passing Evaluator Score Sheets from two different tests and the required title application fee must be submitted to AKC.  Upon verification, the ATT title will be applied to the dog’s record and will appear on the dog’s AKC title record.  The title certificate will be mailed to the dog’s primary owner of record.  For more information please click the button below "ATT".

American Temperament Test Society, Inc.

The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS) is a national not-for-profit organization (registered in the state of Missouri) for the promotion of uniform temperament evaluation of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs.

ATTS was established to:

• Provide for a uniform national program of temperament testing of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs.
• Conduct seminars to disseminate information to dog owners, dog breeders and evaluators (testers) concerning dog psychology, motivation, reaction and other aspects of temperament testing.
• Recognize and award certificates to dogs that pass the requirements of the temperament evaluation.
• Work for the betterment of all breeds of dogs.
• Select, train, prepare and register temperament evaluators.

To find more information about this test please click the button below TT.