AKC Advanced Canine Good Citizen Evaluation

Ready to take your dog's good manners into the community? The AKC Community Canine (CGCA) is the advanced level of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program and tests your dog’s behavior in real-world settings. This evaluation focuses on reliable obedience and good manners in public places like parks, sidewalks, and pet-friendly stores.

Dogs must pass all 10 items of the test to receive the CGCA title:

1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner:
   • sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork, or,
   • if the test is done in the community, dog waits while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with another person (e.g., at a park)
2. Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring) — does not pull.
   • left turn
   • right turn
   • stop
   • fast and slow pace
3. Walks on loose leash through a crowd:
   • at a show or in class, this item is tested in a real crowd, not in a ring
   • in the community, dog walks on sidewalk, through a crowd at a community fair, park, on a trail, through a busy hallway, etc.
4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.
   This item may be tested along with #3 if there are dogs in the crowd, etc.
   • at a show or class, dog walks by dogs waiting in the crowd–dogs 2 ft. apart
   • in the community, dog walks by other dogs on a trail, sidewalk, in a hallway, etc.
5. Sit-stay in small group (two other people with dogs, total of 3 people, 3 dogs in group).
6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it.
   “May I pet your dog?” (Item is placed on floor/ground before the person pets the dog)
7. “Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”
   This can be food placed by the evaluator on the floor or ground in a food dish with a wire cover as in Rally.
8. Down or sit stay — distance (owner’s choice).
   Dog is on 20–ft line, owner walks away with back to dog, picks up an item (e.g., backpack, training bag, clipboard, folder etc.) placed on the floor/chair/ground by the evaluator and returns to the dog.
9. Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20–ft. **(off center) and calls dog.
   Dog is on the 20–ft. line from #8 above.
   Dog will sit or stand stay (owner’s choice) while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Owner calls dog through door when ready.
10. Owner may also choose to:
1. send the dog through first and have the dog wait for the owner, or
2. the owner may choose to have the dog go through the doorway at the owner’s side.

You can use this link to visit the AKC website and learn more about the AKC Canine Good Citizen - Community Evaluation.

This Evaluation is open to anyone!  

We strongly recommend completing an AKC Canine Good Citizen course before attempting the Evaluation.

Treats not allowed during testing.