The Canine Good Citizen Test - I Love It

Luna and Foster are so great. I know it. I live it. Everyone should think her dogs are the best dogs in the world, and I love when my neighbors, or people at the park, notice that I honestly do have the best dogs. Sometimes, the CGC test comes up and I often hear, "Oh, my dog can do all of that already!" Sometimes it's obvious that that statement is completely untrue, but regardless, I think people underestimate the unique experience of being tested as a team.


The cooling off team after some training time in the yard

Test conditions include a new environment and all its smells, sights and sounds, new people, new dogs, new distractions and you, probably stressed. The CGC is a test of more than just the tasks you have to complete. It's a test of the strength of your relationship. I love it. I think it's great.

The Canine Good Citizen Test - The Elements

Here are the elements of the Canine Good Citizen Test and a little bit about how I think they are each important.

1. Accepting a friendly stranger: The Evaluator walks up to you and your dog and says Hello to you, but ignores your dog. Your dog must not break her position, approach the Evaluator, or show shyness or resentment.

Important Because: Not everyone thinks your dog is as cute and fun as you do. Not everyone wants to be licked or slobbered on. Sometimes you just need to have a quick conversation and your dog doesn't have to be a part of it.

2. Sitting politely for petting: The Evaluator pets your dog on her head and body. She must stay in place and show no shyness or resentment.

Important Because: To keep your dog, she must have better manners than people. Most people don't ask, or don't care, if your dog is friendly - they are going to pet her. If she doesn't accept the petting, she and you will be the ones in trouble, not the rude person.

3. Appearance and grooming: The Evaluator inspects your dog to determine his cleanliness and grooming. The Evaluator will brush your dog, lift his feet, and touch his ears and paws.

Important Because: You need to care for you dog and your dog needs to be able to accept care from you, veterinarians and even groomers or friends without fear or aggressive responses.

4. Walking on a loose leash: The Evaluator observes you walking a pre-determined, or your choice, of course to determine if your dog is attentive to you and following your movements and changes in direction.

Important Because: You need to be leading your dog instead of following him. You need to be in control, or better yet, have the relationship in which your dog wants to follow you.

5. Walking through a crowd: The Evaluator observes you and your dog moving through pedestrian traffic in public places.

Important Because: Again, you need to be leading your dog, and you need to be in control of him so the public has no reason to be concerned your dog will lunge, jump up on, or trip anyone. If you want to be a Therapy Dog Team, you need to be able to walk through buildings and halls with many people, and possibly a lot of activity, with your dog safely and politely following you.

6. Sit and Down on command and Staying in place: Your dog must sit and lie down on your command and follow your command to stay in one place until your Evaluator instructs you to release him.

Important Because: This shows you've worked together as a team and you value training manners.

7. Coming when called: You walk 10 feet away from your dog and call her to come to you.

Important Because: Your dog should want to respond to your direction and return to you when you call her. There should be safety and happiness in coming to you, not a sense of punishment as to why she is being called. So many people yell at their dogs to come to them and their dogs just don't want to. Would YOU want to come to someone who was yelling at you to get your butt over to him so he could smack you and throw you in the basement?

8. Reaction to another dog: Two teams approach each other, stop, humans shake hands and teams continue on. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other.

Important Because: Dogs behaving politely around each other keeps everyone safe. Secure dogs enjoy the company of other dogs. They know we are not dogs and they can learn so much more and quickly about being a dog in the world from other secure and balanced dogs than they can from us.

9. Reaction to distraction: The Evaluator presents two distracting situations like a skateboard rolling by, a person darting across your path, or a loud noise from something falling. Your dog cannot panic, run away or show aggression.

Important Because: Your dog needs to be confident and secure. If you will be in public together, a calm dog keeps everyone calm. If you are wanting to be a Therapy Dog Team, loud noises and unpredictable events often occur in typical Therapy Dog locations like hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

10. Supervised separation: You and your dogs are separated out of sight of each other for 3 minutes. Your dog cannot bark, whine or pace. He stays with The Evaluator.

Important Because: To me, this is true discipline and confidence. Your dog trusts you will return, and she shows good manners with everyone, even when you are not there.

Foster Dog is still working on not excitedly approaching the friendly stranger and the other dog (he's so social!) and on our being separated for 3 minutes without being concerned where I am. We're up to 2 minutes before he walks to the door that separates us. If we took the test at his sleepy time of 8 or 9pm, that might ensure our success!

The Canine Good Citizen Test - Some Description

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program is a two-part program created by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1989 that rewards responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. For some families, training for the 10-step CGC is their first step in training their dogs to be welcomed, well-respected members in their communities.

The AKC believes that "Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with as 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."

In researching state and national park trails a few years ago, I wanted to know which ones would allow me to walk with Luna on our travels. I learned that some state park trails require proof of passing the CGC in order to able to walk off-leash. Also, many therapy dog organizations require you to pass a test very similar to the CGC before you can become registered as a Therapy Dog Team.



The 10 tasks you and your dog must pass are:
1. Accepting a friendly stranger
2. Sitting politely for petting
3. Appearance and grooming
4. Walking with a loose lead/leash
5. Walking through a crowd
6. Sit and Down on command and Staying in place
7. Coming when called
8. Reaction to another dog
9. Reaction to distraction
10. Supervised separation

I will go into more detail about each of these test element requirements in the next post. Think about how many of these you can do with your dog already!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUNA!

Today is a super special day.
Today is Luna's 10th birthday!

I have a lot of love in my life; true, deep, forever love that is great. Luna is one of the truest, deepest and greatest. Everything is better because she is in my every day.

Luna brings an energy to the Earth that brightens every detail. Simple things become memorable events because she is there. She is the element that makes each moment in life shine with joy, and each heartbreak bearable and even serene.

Luna has been with me through illness and death, milestone and setback. She is in all matters of the present and she is an essential part of any future plan. There is nothing in which I do not include Luna. She hears it all and she makes it all better.

I never want to be separated from Luna. Everything is better when we're together. I pray that she knows, that she feels, the limitless love that she creates within me. I slather her with every bit that I have every day, and she replenishes my soul continuously.
She is Luna and she is Everything Good.

The Canine Good Citizen Test

The Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC) keeps coming up in my conversations lately. I've been asked about the test, how to train and prepare for the test, why it's important, if it's important, and what it means if someone says her dog is a CGC. Some people have never heard of the CGC, but those who are aware of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and their Vicktory Dogs, have been reminded of the CGC accomplishment. Georgia, the inspirational face of the many dogs rescued from Bad Newz Kennels, was adopted earlier this year. One of the legal requirements for the Vicktory dogs is that each one of them must pass the CGC test before being considered for adoption.

To me, the CGC isn't just a a test that shows your dog is under your control. I see the preparation for it, and the experience of performing the tasks under test conditions, as opportunities to bond with your dog. This week, I'll describe the CGC test, the elements of the test, and my opinions about why each element is valuable.

Luna earned her CGC in 2008

FEEDING YOUR DOG - Judgment

There is a saying that "If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise." I like it, but I'm also saddened by it. I'm saddened because I do think it's harmful to make your dog overweight. We've created a relationship in which our dogs depend on us for everything. When we give too much food and treats, and too little physical exercise, the harmful effects of too much body weight on our dogs' frames and organs are our fault. I'm also saddened by the mean judgment of it all. Humans are always meanly judging other humans in an effort to make themselves feel better about their own faults.

I am sometimes judged as having a "vicious dog" because Foster looks like one of the several dogs described as "Pit Bull." My dogs are each a wonderful weight and they have excellent coats and cardiovascular fitness, but I am not judged as a great dog owner because of that. If my dogs were overweight, I'm sure I'd hear about it.

The judgment I care about the most is a judgment I'll never receive - the judgment of my dogs. My dogs don't judge me daily. They appreciate everything I give to and do for them. It's sentimental, I know, but it is one of the clearest facts in my life. So, I judge myself, and I feel how and with what I nourish my dogs is paramount. Without their health, there is nothing, and much of their health comes from how I feed them. They depend on me. I hope I'm the best person for the job!

FEEDING YOUR DOG - Supplements

While I feed my dogs the highest quality food I can afford, I also add vitamins and powders and whatever else might be fun and healthful into their diet.

My dogs have needed antihistamines and antiemetics and probiotics and minerals and joint support and liver support and digestives and anti-inflammatories and vitamins. I've made powder supplements from bonemeal, yeast and lecithin as well as vitamin, mineral and herb "cocktails." At one point, my dogs' pill boxes were of the huge variety!



Presently, Luna and Foster are taking just a few supplements and three powders.

Vitamin E - for its antioxidant properties
Acidophilus - a probiotic that is good for digestion and is also an anti-inflammatory
Fish Oil - for brain and heart support

Allercheck

Contains Larch Arabinogalactan, Quercitin, and Tumeric Root Powder which are antihistamines that are not dyed hot pink.

Joint Check - just for Luna

Contains Glucosamine HCL & Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate and Vitamin C, Ginko Biloba and other herbs for joint health.

Health Check

Contains N-Acetyl L Cystine, Citrus Bioflavanoids and Siberian Ginseng for supporting healthy organ function.

I also add vegetables to their dry or home-cooked food. Luna and Foster like green beans and sweet potatoes best, but they also like pumpkin, steamed spinach and steamed carrots. I measure out about 100 calories of vegetables for each dog, and include them in their two meals. The fiber of the vegetables seems to keep their digestion regular which helps with predicting their elimination needs. Veggies are just good for my dogs all over!

I don't know that you could consider treats supplements, but there are supplements that seem like treats. They're often prescriptions, such as for joint support. Satchel used to take one that smelled like vanilla frosting! The treats I give Luna and Foster are just pure treat, but I think that can be part of a healthful diet too. Just a little something special. Foster actually chews his treats. I think Luna just swallows them whole. To each her own!