AKC Family Dog Programs
Prove to the world your dog is a reliable family and community member!
AKC Family Dog Programs
AKC Family Dog is a comprehensive good manners program for all dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed. While participating in enjoyable activities that are fun for both dogs and people, dogs become well-socialized and develop a lifelong bond with their owners. The result is a dog that any owner can be proud to take into the community.
Heather Furby, owner of Casa Luna Canines, is an evaluator for the core group of Family Dog Programs for Canine Good Citizen (CGC).
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy - our Puppy Power Enrichment Course qualifies for the required training
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) - No class requirement, but our Doggie Decorum Class will help you prepare, if needed or desired.
AKC Community Canine (Advanced)
AKC Urban CGC (Advanced)
The CGC evaluation is generally scheduled for every other month. Community Canine and Urban CGC Evaluations are given at various times of the year and usually in conjunction with our therapy dog programs, but can be taken independently.
Cost to test is $40 unless you’ve trained with us.
If you and your dog have trained at Casa Luna Canines, there is no charge for the tests and evaluations. Contact us for your registration code.
The Family Dog Programs
offered at Casa Luna Canines
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is a program designed to get dog owners and their puppies heading in the right direction - nose first, tail wagging. It provides a good lead-in to earning the Canine Good Citizen title and is appropriate for puppies up to 1 year old, but the majority are 6 months or younger.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy must include a 6 week training course. Our Puppy Power Enrichment Course qualifies for this series. It consists of 5 weeks of learning and we schedule a 6th week for the evaluation. You can preview the 20 evaluation items at the AKC site (click here).
Canine Good Citizen™ (CGC)
Canine Good Citizen™ (CGC) is the most popular of the Family Dog programs. It evaluates dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed, noncompetitive atmosphere. Dogs that pass the CGC test are considered reliable family and community members and can receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
There are no age minimums or limits for participating in the Canine Good Citizen program, because yes, you can always teach an old dog new tricks! We also know that training a young puppy can be a challenge, so if you have a puppy under 6 months old, you may want to check out our Puppy Power Enrichment class and test for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy.
The CGC award can be the foundation for participating in many dog sports or advanced training classes, or as the entry point for a service or therapy dog or other needs that require public access. Some homeowner and renter insurance companies recommend and recognize the CGC evaluations and even offer a discount if your dog has the certificate. You can preview the 10 skills for CGC on the AKC website by clicking here.
AKC Community Canine (CGCA)
AKC Community Canine (CGCA) is all about having a well-behaved dog while you’re out and about in the community. It begins the advanced testing of the AKC Family Dog Programs because dogs must have a Canine Good Citizen test on record at AKC.
Where CGC happens in a simulated environment, the 10-step AKC Community Canine test is conducted in real life situations—like walking on a busy sidewalk or through a local park–giving you and your dog the confidence to enjoy everyday to the fullest, no matter what comes your way.
Whereas Canine Good Citizen tests are most often tested in a simulated environment at a training facility or in a ring, the 10-step AKC Community Canine test is conducted in real life situations, which may include walking through a crowd on a busy sidewalk or in a local park, helping you and your dog gain the confidence to enjoy everyday life no matter what comes your way. Our Doggie Decorum Class and many of our “Out and About” Series will help you train for this goal.
For more information and to preview the test items, you can visit the AKC Page by clicking here.
AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU)
AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU) requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in an active city or town setting where there are cars, streets to be crossed and real-life noises and distractions. There are 10-steps to the test in order to receive the official title.
The Urban CGC test can be used by dog- friendly business (e.g., lodging, retail, transportation, public facilities) to recognize and accept dogs with good manners. There are no age limits to take the test, but similar to CGCA, the dog must have a CGC test on file with AKC.
What are the skills that will be evaluated?
Most of the Family Dog Programs have a 10-skill test to demonstrate that your and your dog can handle multiple environments and situations. The AKC S.T.A.R Puppy and the CGC tests are given in a simulated environment whereas the more advanced Community and Urban are given in busier real-life settings. The CGC test consists of the follow skills:
Accepting a friendly stranger - the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation.
Sitting politely for petting - the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler.
Appearance and grooming - the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer, or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner’s care, concern, and sense of responsibility.
Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead) - demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog when the dog is walking on a leash.
Walking through a crowd - the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control when on leash in public
Sit and down on cue and stay in place - the dog will respond to the handler’s cues to sit and down and will remain in place and position (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers).
Coming when called - the dog will come when called by the handler, on leash, from 10 feet away.
Reaction to another dog - demonstrate that the dog can behave politely around other dogs.
Reaction to distraction - the dog is confident when faced with common distracting situations.
Supervised separation - your dog can be left with a trusted person and will maintain training and good manners for up to 3 minutes.
When are the evaluations offered?
If you and your dog have trained at Casa Luna Canines, there is no charge for the tests and evaluations. Contact us for your registration code.
2024 Dates:
Friday, February 16 at 12p
Saturday, March 16 at 12pm
Thursday, May 16, 6:30pm
Friday, June 14 at 12pm
Saturday August 17, 9am
Saturday, October 12 at 12pm
Saturday, December 7, at 12pm
