Canine Good Citizen Program
In 1989, The American Kennel Club (AKC) instituted the Canine Good Citizen Program. Dogs do not have to be AKC registered to participate in the Canine Good Citizen Program, though it is the AKC that certifies dogs that complete the program. Upon certification, dogs are able to get a special tag that proclaims them as having passed the program. Owners oftentimes also append the initials CGC after their dog’s name once they have become certified.
To become certified, a dog must pass an evaluation that consists of ten objectives. All objectives must be passed for certification to be awarded.
1. Accepting a friendly stranger.
2. Sitting politely for petting.
3. Allowing basic grooming procedures.
4. Walking on a loose lead/leash.
5. Walking through a crowd.
6. Sitting and lying down on command and staying in place.
7. Coming when called.
8. Reacting appropriately to another dog.
9. Reacting appropriately to distractions.
10. Calmly enduring supervised separation from the owner.
Having your dog certified through this program shows many things, but above all it insures that your dog is a dog that can be taken anywhere.
Apr 04, 2008 | | Obedience
Sometimes at the whim of the owner and sometimes as a requirement to specific duties a dog may have related to law enforcement or guide services they perform, there are advanced commands that a dog may be required to learn. Working dogs are dogs that their handlers depend on to perform needed tasks, true obedience is a must in a working dog.
Advanced Dog Obedience Commands:
STEADY – The dog stays near by, it is allowed to walk freely but not run off on its own.
STOP – The dog immediately stops what it is doing and depending on method, will either lay down, sit or remain standing.
STAND – The dog stands still until released or given another command.
BACK UP – The dog retreats from its position.
GROWL/ADVANCE – The dog is commanded to make aggressive movements or noises to show security or intimidation.
DROP – The dog drops whatever it has in its mouth.
GIVE – The dog releases whatever is in its mouth into the handler’s hand.
LEAVE IT – The dog does not pick up an item it may have if the command had not been given.
TAKE IT/GET IT – The dog picks up a toy or treat on command.
ROLL OVER – The dog lies down and rolls over and then stands back up.
ATTACK – A dog will attack something or someone.
SPEAK – A dog will bark one or more times based on their training.
GO TO BED/GET IN/KENNEL – The dog will retreat to its normal sleeping area or crate and remain there until released.
A dog that has mastered even some of these advanced commands is a dog that can truly be taken anywhere without much fear of a bad reaction to either dangers in the area or crowds of people. An obedient dog is a joy to be around.
Take a look at the basic dog obedience commands.
Mar 10, 2008 | | Obedience
True obedience in dogs is difficult, but not impossible, to achieve. Many breeds of dogs have a higher disposition to be trained than others. While trainability is often tied to a dog’s intelligence, many smart dogs are not easily trainable because of other factors like their sense of independence.
Basic Dog Obedience Commands:
SIT – The dog lowers to a sitting position.
DOWN – When a dog’s front feed and rear legs are both touching the ground or floor.
HEEL – The dog does not advance its head or shoulder pas the handler’s leg. Most often dogs are trained to perform this command consistently on either the left or right side of the handler.
COME/HERE/RECALL – The dog returns to the handler upon hearing either this command or their name.
STAY – The position of the dog may vary with this command as the dog should remain in whatever position it was in when the command was given.
BEG – The dog is taught to perform a certain way before being rewarded with a toy or snack.
Instituting these kinds of commands on a family pet can make the owner to dog relationship that much better. A well behaved dog is a joy to be around and at the same time does not intimidate or disrupt visitors to the house.
Next we’ll look at more advanced dog obedience commands.
Mar 01, 2008 | | Obedience
