AKC Canine Good Citizen
We are an AKC CGC Evaluator. Train and certify your dog through all 10 CGC test items, run the test on-site, and walk out with real paperwork. $1,050 on-site / $1,200 in-home.
Every item below is in the test. We train your dog through every one of them.
Accepting a friendly stranger
Dog allows a friendly stranger to approach and greet the handler in a natural, everyday manner.
Sitting politely for petting
Dog allows a friendly stranger to pet them while out for a walk — no jumping, no anxiety, no aggression.
Appearance and grooming
Dog welcomes being groomed and examined by a stranger as a veterinarian, groomer, or friend of the owner would do.
Out for a walk (loose leash)
Dog walks politely on a loose leash. Handler can choose to walk the dog on either side.
Walking through a crowd
Dog walks through pedestrian traffic with the handler under control — may show casual interest in others but no panic, lunging, or aggression.
Sit, down, and stay on command
Dog responds to handler's commands to sit, lie down, and stay in place at a distance of 20 feet for 30 seconds.
Coming when called
Dog comes when called by the handler from 10 feet away on a long line.
Reaction to another dog
Dog can be polite around other dogs — two handlers and their dogs approach, stop, shake hands, and continue.
Reaction to distraction
Dog is confident at all times when faced with common distractions — a door slam, a dropped chair, a jogger passing by.
Supervised separation
Dog can be left with a trusted person and maintain training and good manners while their handler is out of sight for three minutes.
Foundation for therapy work
Almost every national therapy-dog organization requires CGC as the baseline before their own evaluation. If your dog will ever do hospital, school, or library visits, CGC is the starting line.
Insurance and housing leverage
Many homeowner insurance carriers and rental properties treat CGC-certified dogs differently than untrained dogs. We document the certification on letterhead so you can use it where it matters.
Verifiable obedience baseline
CGC is a national standard. A dog with CGC has demonstrated a real, repeatable obedience baseline under distraction — not just "knows commands at home."
Step toward your dog's next certification
CGC also leads into Community Canine (CGCA), Urban CGC (CGCU), Trick Dog titles, and many service-dog programs that build on the CGC foundation.
Our Head Trainer is an approved AKC CGC Evaluator. We can run the official test at our facility — you do not need to find an outside evaluator or schedule a separate event.
The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen program is a nationally recognized 10-item test that certifies a dog has the basic manners and obedience to be a polite member of the community. It is administered by approved AKC CGC Evaluators — like us. Open to all dogs, all breeds, registered and unregistered.
No. Any dog can earn CGC — mixed-breed, rescue, foreign breed, unregistered purebred. The test is open to all.
Depends on your dog's starting point. Foundationally-trained dogs are usually ready in 4-6 weeks. Dogs starting from scratch need 8-12 weeks. We assess on the consult call.
Re-test is available. We work with you to identify the specific item your dog missed (almost always one of three: supervised separation, walking through a crowd, or sit/down/stay distance), do targeted prep, and re-take. Many dogs need a second try and that is fine.
Yes. Our Head Trainer Felicia is an AKC CGC Evaluator. We can run the official test at our Mullica Hill HQ as part of the program — you do not need to find an outside evaluator.
On-site ($1,050) brings you to our Mullica Hill HQ for sessions. In-home ($1,200) means we come to your house — better for owners who want the work done in the dog's actual living environment or who cannot travel reliably. Same curriculum, same evaluator, same certification.
Therapy dog certification, advanced AKC programs (Community Canine / Urban CGC), Trick Dog titles, off-leash obedience (our Transformational program), or service-dog candidacy if your dog has the temperament. We can walk you through the options on the consult.
Book a consult. The first 30-minute call is free.