AKC Canine Good Citizen Test: Requirements, Training Tips, and How to Prepare
- Stephen Dube
- Oct 13, 2025
- 12 min read
Updated: Jul 10
The AKC Canine Good Citizen test is designed to recognize dogs that demonstrate good manners at home and in the community.
For many dog owners, earning the CGC title is an exciting training goal. But preparing for the test is about more than teaching your dog to sit, stay, and come when called.
Dogs must demonstrate practical skills around unfamiliar people, other dogs, distractions, handling, and brief separation from their owner. They also need to perform all 10 test items without food rewards or training equipment that isn’t permitted during the evaluation.
As a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer, Fear Free Certified professional, and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator providing private dog training in Muskegon and West Michigan, I help owners build the skills needed for the CGC test while focusing on something even more valuable: creating dogs that can navigate everyday life with greater confidence and reliability.
In this guide, we’ll cover what the AKC Canine Good Citizen test is, the 10 skills your dog will be evaluated on, common reasons dogs struggle, how to prepare effectively, and what opportunities are available after earning the CGC title.
What Is the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program?
The Canine Good Citizen program was created by the American Kennel Club to recognize dogs that demonstrate good manners and responsible ownership.
To earn the CGC title, a dog and handler must successfully complete 10 test items that evaluate practical skills such as greeting people politely, walking on a loose leash, responding to basic cues, remaining under control around another dog, handling distractions, and staying with a trusted person while the owner is briefly out of sight.
The CGC test isn’t a competition, and dogs aren’t judged on the precision expected in formal obedience trials.
The goal is to demonstrate that the dog and handler can work together successfully through common situations they may encounter at home and in the community.
Can Any Dog Take the CGC Test?
The Canine Good Citizen program is open to dogs of all breeds and mixes.
Your dog doesn’t need to be registered with the AKC to participate in CGC training or take the test.
Dogs of different ages can work toward Canine Good Citizen skills, although owners of young puppies may also want to consider the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program as an earlier training goal.
One of the things I appreciate about the CGC program is that the skills extend beyond the test itself.
Learning to greet people politely, walk on a loose leash, respond around distractions, tolerate appropriate handling, and settle when separated briefly from an owner can make everyday life easier even if earning a title isn’t your primary goal.
Is the CGC Test an Obedience Test?
Not exactly.
Basic obedience skills are part of the evaluation, but the CGC test looks at more than whether your dog knows commands.
A dog might perform a beautiful sit or down at home but struggle to remain composed around an unfamiliar person, another dog, or a sudden distraction.
Successful preparation involves helping your dog learn to perform useful skills in different environments and situations.
That means practicing beyond the living room.
Depending on the individual dog, training may involve gradually adding distractions, practicing around unfamiliar people, improving loose-leash walking, building comfort with handling, strengthening recall, and helping the dog learn to settle when the owner is briefly out of sight.
The goal isn’t simply to memorize 10 exercises.
It’s to develop practical skills and teamwork that can continue benefiting you and your dog long after the test is over.
What Are the 10 AKC Canine Good Citizen Test Items?
To earn the Canine Good Citizen title, your dog must successfully complete 10 test items with an approved CGC evaluator.
Understanding what each item evaluates can help you prepare more effectively.
1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger
The evaluator approaches you and begins a brief conversation while ignoring your dog.
Your dog should remain under control and shouldn’t show resentment or excessive shyness when the stranger approaches.
This skill reflects situations you might encounter while talking with a neighbor, meeting someone during a walk, or interacting with another person in public.
2. Sitting Politely for Petting
The evaluator pets your dog while your dog is beside you.
Your dog should allow the interaction without showing resentment or excessive shyness.
For dogs that become overly excited when meeting people, preparing for this item may involve practicing calmer greetings and learning that attention from strangers doesn’t require jumping or overwhelming enthusiasm.
3. Appearance and Grooming
The evaluator examines your dog to determine whether they can be safely handled and groomed.
This includes lightly examining the ears and front feet and brushing the dog.
Preparing for this item can involve gradually helping your dog become comfortable with appropriate handling rather than simply restraining them and hoping for cooperation on test day.
4. Out for a Walk
You and your dog complete a short walking pattern that includes turns and a stop.
Your dog doesn’t need to maintain a formal heel position, but they should walk attentively with you and remain under control.
This is an important distinction. The CGC test evaluates practical leash manners, not the precision expected in competitive obedience.
5. Walking Through a Crowd
You and your dog walk near several people.
Your dog may show interest in the people but should continue walking with you without becoming overly excited, jumping on people, or showing excessive shyness or resentment.
This item evaluates your dog’s ability to remain manageable around everyday social distractions.
6. Sit, Down, and Staying in Place
The evaluator checks whether your dog can perform a sit and down on cue.
You’ll then choose either the sit or down position for the stay exercise and walk away from your dog using a 20-foot line provided by the evaluator.
This item evaluates basic training skills and your dog’s ability to remain in place while you move away.
7. Coming When Called
With your dog still on the 20-foot line, you’ll walk 10 feet away and call your dog to you.
A reliable recall is useful far beyond the CGC test. It’s one of the most practical skills owners can build with their dogs.
8. Reaction to Another Dog
You and another handler approach each other with your dogs, stop, shake hands, exchange a brief greeting, and continue walking.
The dogs may show casual interest in each other but shouldn’t approach the other dog or handler.
This item evaluates whether your dog can remain under control in the presence of another dog.
9. Reaction to Distractions
The evaluator presents two distractions.
Your dog may show natural interest or surprise, but they shouldn’t panic, attempt to run away, become aggressive, or bark excessively.
The goal isn’t to expect your dog to behave like a furry statue. Dogs are allowed to notice what happens around them while demonstrating that they can recover and remain manageable.
10. Supervised Separation
You’ll leave your dog with a trusted person while you remain out of sight for three minutes.
Your dog doesn’t need to remain perfectly still, but they shouldn’t continuously bark, whine, pace unnecessarily, or show more than mild nervousness or agitation.
For dogs that are strongly attached to their owners, this can be one of the more challenging portions of the test and may require gradual preparation.
Does Your Dog Have to Pass All 10 CGC Test Items?
Yes. Your dog must successfully complete all 10 items to pass the Canine Good Citizen test.
If your dog doesn’t pass, that doesn’t mean they’re a bad dog or that your training has failed.
The test can provide useful information about which skills need more practice.
Some dogs need additional work around distractions. Others may struggle with polite greetings, loose-leash walking, handling, another dog, or supervised separation.
Identifying those challenges gives you a clearer training goal and an opportunity to prepare before testing again.
How to Prepare Your Dog for the Canine Good Citizen Test
Preparing for the CGC test should involve more than repeatedly practicing the 10 test items in the same location.
Dogs learn best when skills are gradually practiced in different environments and around appropriate distractions. A dog that performs perfectly at home may struggle when asked to do the same behavior around unfamiliar people, dogs, noises, or other challenges.
Here are some ways to prepare more effectively.
Build Strong Foundation Skills
Before adding difficult distractions, make sure your dog understands the basic skills needed for the test.
Depending on your dog, this may include:
Sitting and lying down on cue
Remaining in place while you move away
Coming when called
Walking on a loose leash
Checking in with you around distractions
Greeting people without jumping
Remaining under control around other dogs
Becoming comfortable with appropriate handling
Start in environments where your dog can succeed before gradually increasing the difficulty.
Practice in Different Environments
Dogs don’t automatically understand that a behavior learned in your living room also applies in a park, pet-friendly business, training facility, or other unfamiliar environment.
Once your dog understands a skill, practice in different locations.
Begin with relatively easy environments and gradually introduce more challenging situations as your dog becomes successful.
The goal isn’t to take your dog to the busiest location you can find and hope they figure it out.
Good training involves increasing difficulty gradually enough that your dog can continue learning.
Gradually Add Distractions
Several CGC test items evaluate your dog’s ability to remain manageable around distractions.
You can prepare by gradually practicing around:
Unfamiliar people
People walking nearby
Other dogs at an appropriate distance
Everyday noises
Moving objects
New environments
Changes in surfaces or surroundings
Start with distractions your dog can handle successfully.
As your dog improves, gradually increase the difficulty while continuing to reinforce the behaviors you want.
Practice Calm Greetings
Many dogs struggle with the first portions of the CGC test because they become overly excited, nervous, or uncomfortable when approached by unfamiliar people.
Practice with different people when possible.
Your dog can learn that meeting someone doesn’t require jumping, pulling toward them, hiding behind you, or becoming overwhelmed.
For dogs that are hesitant around strangers, training should focus on building comfort gradually rather than forcing interactions.
Prepare for Handling and Grooming
Don’t wait until test day to discover that your dog dislikes having their paws or ears handled.
Practice brief, positive handling exercises at home.
Depending on your dog’s comfort level, you might begin with simple touches before gradually working toward handling the ears, examining the feet, and being brushed by another person.
Pay attention to your dog’s body language throughout the process.
The goal is to build comfort and cooperation, not simply hold your dog still until the exercise is over.
Practice Around Other Dogs Without Requiring Interaction
The CGC test doesn’t require your dog to greet or play with another dog.
For the reaction-to-another-dog test item, your dog needs to remain under control while you briefly interact with another handler.
Practice working around calm, appropriate dogs at a distance where your dog can remain successful.
Gradually decrease distance as your dog develops the skills needed to stay engaged with you.
If your dog regularly barks, lunges, freezes, or becomes overwhelmed around other dogs, you may need to address those challenges separately before focusing on passing the CGC test.
Prepare for Supervised Separation Gradually
For some dogs, remaining with another person while their owner leaves can be one of the most difficult parts of the test.
Build this skill gradually.
You might begin by having a trusted person hold your dog’s leash while you take a few steps away before returning.
As your dog becomes more comfortable, gradually increase the distance and time you remain out of sight.
Avoid waiting until test day to find out how your dog responds to being separated from you for three minutes.
Practice Without Food Rewards Before Test Day
Positive reinforcement can play an important role in preparing for the CGC test, and food rewards can be useful while teaching and strengthening skills.
However, food and treats aren’t permitted during the actual test.
As your dog becomes more reliable, gradually practice longer sequences of behavior before providing a reward.
You can also use praise, play, opportunities to sniff, and other rewards during training when appropriate.
The goal isn’t to suddenly stop rewarding your dog.
It’s to prepare your dog to successfully perform the required skills during the evaluation without expecting a treat after every individual behavior.
What to Expect on CGC Test Day
Test day can feel stressful for owners, especially when they’ve spent weeks or months preparing.
Knowing what to expect and avoiding last-minute changes can help you and your dog have a better experience.
Give Your Dog an Appropriate Amount of Activity
Your dog should have an opportunity to relieve themselves and get some appropriate physical and mental activity before the evaluation.
However, trying to completely exhaust your dog before the test isn’t necessary and may not produce the results you expect.
The goal is to arrive with a dog that is comfortable and ready to work, not physically exhausted.
Arrive With Enough Time to Settle In
If possible, arrive early enough to give your dog time to adjust to the environment.
Rushing from the car directly into the evaluation can be difficult for dogs that need time to observe and become comfortable in new surroundings.
At the same time, avoid arriving so early that your dog spends a long period becoming increasingly excited, frustrated, or overwhelmed.
Know your individual dog and plan accordingly.
Bring Appropriate Equipment
Before test day, confirm what equipment is permitted and make sure your dog is comfortable using it.
The CGC test is intended to evaluate your dog’s behavior and training rather than the ability of specialized equipment to control them.
As an evaluator, I recommend practicing beforehand with the same type of permitted equipment you plan to use during the test rather than introducing something unfamiliar on test day.
Remember That Treats and Toys Aren’t Used During the Test
Food and toys can be valuable tools while preparing your dog for the CGC evaluation.
However, you can’t use food or toys to guide or reward your dog during the actual test.
This is why preparation should gradually include practicing the required skills without rewarding every individual behavior with food.
You can still encourage and praise your dog during the evaluation within the CGC test guidelines.
Listen to the Evaluator’s Instructions
The evaluator will explain each test item and tell you what you need to do.
If you don’t understand the instructions, ask for clarification before beginning the exercise.
You aren’t expected to guess what the evaluator wants.
Focus on Your Dog Instead of Chasing Perfection
The CGC test evaluates whether you and your dog can successfully complete the 10 required test items.
Your dog doesn’t need to perform with the precision expected in a competitive obedience trial.
Dogs can notice distractions, show interest in their surroundings, and behave like dogs while still successfully completing the evaluation.
Stay focused on working with the dog in front of you rather than comparing your performance with another dog and handler.
What Happens If Your Dog Doesn’t Pass?
If your dog doesn’t successfully complete all 10 test items, use the experience as information.
Maybe your dog needs more practice around unfamiliar people. Perhaps loose-leash walking becomes difficult around distractions. Another dog may struggle with supervised separation or handling.
Not passing the test doesn’t erase the progress you and your dog have made.
It gives you a clearer understanding of which skills need additional work before trying again.
What Comes After the Canine Good Citizen Test?
Earning the Canine Good Citizen title can be an important training milestone, but it doesn’t need to be the end of your dog’s training.
The skills developed while preparing for the CGC test can provide a foundation for more advanced training goals.
Depending on your interests and your dog’s abilities, you may choose to continue working toward:
More reliable behavior around distractions
Improved public manners
AKC Community Canine (CGCA)
AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU)
Therapy dog preparation
Dog sports or other activities
Everyday training goals that make life together easier
You don’t need to pursue another title for CGC training to be worthwhile.
Many owners simply want a dog that can walk politely on a leash, greet people without jumping, respond to basic cues, remain manageable around distractions, and participate in more activities with the family.
Those are valuable goals on their own.
Is CGC Training Right for Your Dog?
CGC training can be a good fit for owners who want to build stronger everyday skills and work toward a clear training goal.
You might consider Canine Good Citizen training if you want your dog to:
Improve leash manners
Respond more reliably to basic cues
Remain calmer around people and other dogs
Develop better manners in public
Become more comfortable with appropriate handling
Build skills around everyday distractions
Prepare for more advanced training goals
Not every dog will be ready to begin preparing for the CGC test immediately.
Dogs that become extremely fearful, reactive, or overwhelmed around people, other dogs, handling, or unfamiliar environments may benefit from addressing those challenges before making the test the primary training goal.
The best training plan depends on the individual dog and the skills they need most.
Canine Good Citizen Training in Muskegon and West Michigan
Preparing for the CGC test is about more than memorizing 10 exercises.
It’s an opportunity to build practical skills, improve communication with your dog, and work toward greater reliability in everyday situations.
As a CPDT-KA certified and Fear Free Certified dog trainer and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, I provide private, in-home Advanced Training and CGC preparation throughout Muskegon and surrounding West Michigan communities.
Training is tailored to your dog’s current abilities and your goals.
Depending on where you’re starting, we may work on leash manners, stays, recall, polite greetings, handling, behavior around distractions, or other skills needed to prepare for the CGC evaluation.
Because training takes place in real-life environments, you and your dog can practice the skills you need for the test while also building behavior that is useful beyond the evaluation itself.
If you’re interested in CGC training but aren’t sure whether your dog is ready, schedule a free Calm Dog Game Plan Call. We’ll discuss your dog’s current skills, your training goals, and the best next step for moving forward.
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