The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is a certification program developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) that evaluates a dog's basic good manners and obedience skills.

The test consists of 10 essential skills, including accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, and coming when called. 

Before taking the test, owners must sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, emphasizing responsible pet ownership. 

Canine Good Citizen Requirements

To pass the Canine Good Citizen test, your dog must demonstrate proficiency in 10 different “skills,” including:

• Accepting a friendly stranger: The dog must allow a stranger to approach and greet the handler without showing signs of fear or aggression.
• Sitting politely for petting: The dog must also sit calmly and allow the stranger to pet them gently. Jumping, being fearful, or acting overly excited disqualifies dogs from passing this portion.
• Appearance and grooming: The dog must allow the handler to groom and examine them without resisting. This includes the dogs’ feet, which tend to be sensitive areas.
• Loose leash walking: The dog should walk beside the handler without pulling on the leash. This basic skill is called “loose leash walking.”
• Walking through a crowd: The dog must also walk calmly through a crowded area without becoming fearful, overly excited, or barking.
• Sitting, down, and staying on cue: The dog must be able to sit, lay down, and stay in place on command, even if there are distractions. The position the dog stays in doesn’t matter, but the dog must do all three commands.
• Coming when called: After staying for some time, the dog must then come to the handler when called. The dog should demonstrate this ability no matter what they are doing.
• Reaction to another dog: Your dog should be able to greet another dog politely and calmly without showing aggression or fear.
• Reaction to distractions: The tester will then attempt to distract your dog, often by dropping a chair or opening an umbrella. The dog should remain calm during these distractions. While the dog can react, they should not be fearful or aggressive.
• Supervised separation: The dog should be able to sit and stay calmly in place for a short time without getting anxious or destructive. This separation is supervised by the handler.

There are no age restrictions for a dog to participate in the Canine Good Citizen program. The American Kennel Club emphasizes that older dogs can benefit from the test. To take the official test, your dog must be at least a year old to be certified. This is because puppies are often very open to strangers and may not become fearful until later. Plus, younger puppies often do not learn the basic obedience commands outlined above.

That said, puppies can participate in the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. This program focuses on socializing puppies and teaching them basic commands.

🐾 ORT Prep Workshop: Get Trial-Ready with Confidence!

Thinking about competing in NACSW Nose Work trials? Before your dog can enter, they must pass the Odor Recognition Test (ORT) — and we’re here to help you prepare!

🎯 What You’ll Learn

• How the ORT is structured and what to expect

• Strategies to build odor value and search confidence

• Practice runs with 12-box setups using Birch, Anise, and Clove

• Tips for reading your dog’s alert behavior

• Q&A with experienced trainer and Certifying Official

🐕 Who Should Attend

• Teams preparing for their first ORT

• Nose Work students ready to take the next step

💬 Why It Matters

Passing the ORT is your dog’s ticket to NACSW competition. This workshop gives you the tools, practice, and confidence to succeed — in a supportive, educational environment.