Dog Training

1. Another helpful action is having your dog participate in training with a professional in Canine Classes.
One of the most helpful ones is the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Program. This Program also supports
taking care of your dog's needs with safety, proper exercise, your dog's health and quality of life. It is so
important that an owner be able to take responsibility for the behavior and making sure that their dog
does not impose on anyone else's rights.
The Canine Good Citizen Training will involve many key points.
1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger. When a friendly stranger approaches the handler, the dog should not
show signs of resentment or shyness and should not break their position to go up to the friendly
stranger.
2. Sitting Politely for Petting. A friendly stranger would be able to touch your dog while with you. The
head and body are able to be touched.
3. Appearance and Grooming. Your dog should be able to be groomed by someone or touched by a vet
or friend. Dogs should be well groomed and clean with the appearance of health, proper weight, and is
alert. The tester should be able to gently comb or brush your dog, touch your dog's ears and pick up
each front foot.
4. Out for a Walk (walking on a loose lead). The dog can walk on either side of the handler and is
attentive to the owner. The dog should demonstrate following its owner’s movements and changes of
direction. This includes a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and
another at the end. The dog can sit at a halt, but is not required.
5. Walking through a crowd. It is important that your dog be under control while in public and in
pedestrian traffic. The dog passes closely to several people, showing some interest in strangers, but
should continue to walk with the owner, without showing too much excitement, shyness or resentment.
There would be no jumping on people in a crowd and would walk with no strain on a leash.
6. Sit and Down on Command and Staying in Place. This shows proper training of the dog. The dog must
do a sit and down command and then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in a stay. A 20
foot leash is used. A gentle touch can be used if necessary on commands, but the owner cannot force
the dog into position. In a stay position, the owner walks forward the length of the line, and returns to
the dog at their natural pace. The dog must remain in place in which it was left. The tester instructs the
owner to release the dog.
7. Coming When Called. This demonstrates that the dog will come when it is called. This is done from 10
feet away. When the handler faces the dog, they call the dog.

2. 8. Reaction of Another Dog. Dogs need to be polite around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs
approach each other from about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on
for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest. Neither dog should go to the
other dog or its handler.
9. Reaction to Distraction. This test shows that the dog is confident at all times when faced with
common distractions. It could be a noise or object. The dog may show a natural interest and curiosity
but should not show panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness or bark.
10. Supervised Separation. This test shows that a dog can be left with a trusted person and will maintain
good manners. The owner hands over their dog to another person who takes the dog on leash and goes
out of sight for 3 minutes. The dog should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show
anything stronger than mild nervousness.
While having this training, the dog will wear a well-fitting buckle or slip collar made of leather, fabric, or
chain. Training collars like pinch collars, head halters and electric collars are not permitted in the test.
(Body harnesses may be used as long as it does not restrict the dog's movement.)
Of course, the owners use praise and encouragement throughout the training and testing. Treats and
food is used many times for training, but not during testing.
Responsible dog ownership and training is key to a happy dog and happy owner.