Cgc

[Panama]

Seeing there is no actual age requirement other then the dogs must be old enough to have received necessary immunizations such as rabies vaccines (In FL they give Rabies shots as early as 16 wks) I was just wondering if others thought 4-5 months was too young? If not, do you think they should be re-evaluated at an older age?. (CGN, the dog must be at least 6 months of age)

Obviously, if a younger pup shows good leash skills and basic commands such as sit, stay, come... the owner is showing responsible pet ownership by training the pup. However... after the puppy stage, and mid-swing of the adolescent stage onward toward adulthood, when they really start feeling their oats, are they going to react the same way to certain situations as they did 6+ months ago?

Just wondering what others thought.

[RKCM]

The CGC is a good thing to get on your dog, especially with our breed. It requires very little training and really guarantees nothing on any dog or puppy. It means on that day they were a good citizen.

[nterry]

What is the CGC testing for? What does the test ask the dog to do? It is not a test in the UK that I am familiar with. Thank You

[Panama]

http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm

[Panama]

I understand the CGC guarantees nothing, and I encourage everyone, no matter what breed, but especially our breed, to get their CGC. I would never discourage anyone from getting their CGC (Canine Good Citizen) or CGN (CGN- in Canada, Canine Good Neighbor).

Just about any puppy that went through and graduated Puppy Kindergarden can pass the CGC evaluation. Again, if someone works with a puppy, whether it be through Puppy Kindergarden or on their own, and get the very basic down, a 5-6 month on pup can easily pass with no problem and certainly an accomplishment to be proud of.

I was just wondering if others thought about say a 5 or 6 month old pup passing the eval, if they thought the dog should be evaluated again at an older age (like after puberty or at least at 12 months maybe)?

Note: at least meaning minimum age (just to clarify)

[Panama]

To be tested for a BH, the dog must be at least 12 months of age.

[Panama]

I don't believe I've referred to the CGC (or CGN) as a title of any kind. An evaluation or test, yes, but never used the term "title". Just saying.

Not everyone is involved in continuous/progressive Performace events. A CGC is great for even a family pet (purebred or mixed breed).

I just think a 12-18 month old passing a CGC eval is a more solid evaluation. With maturity, you get hormone, which can affect how a dog reacts to a situation.

Say you're at a conformation show that is offering the CGC. Your 6 month old puppy that passed the CGC eval 6-12 months ago, is now at a mature age and feels his oats. 9x out of 10x (more then likely 10x out of 10) there is going to be at least 1 female on the property being shown (in conformation that is) that is in heat. Is that dog going to handle an approaching male the same way he did when he was 6 mo old? ('The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler'). More then likely not. Is what I'm saying!

[RKCM]

The AKC has a new program for puppies: http://www.akc.org/starpuppy/test_items_pledge.cfm
That is seem a preq. to the CGC. It is also more of a commitment to responsibility and shows you have done some training. We have those classes at our club and there is a test after the class. Most people enjoy it and you are rewarded with a certificate too.


Speaking about the CGC:The evaluation to me only shows the puppy or dog had good manners that day and that the owner will commit to responsible dog ownership by signing the agreement. The intent being they will continue training in some venue as a responsible owner. I think of it as more of a fun activity and to encourage people to continue to train, I think the AKC even says something like that. It is also a way for the clubs and AKC to involve everyone and is good press for the public. It makes a little money for the clubs and almost everyone can pass it and win with little training honestly and just basic manners. Didn't mean to imply you thought it was a title.

I agree that it is not a temperament test where you can predict that the dog will have those same manners as a adult. I think it is likely to have them if the owner continues to train and work with the dog. I think that's the goal of the test and the above. It was a way for the AKC to support dog owners that are responsible and train their dogs from those owners that do not. There are some therapy groups and landlords that require it to accept your dog. It is a way to get the puppy in a home showing that the owner is responsible and they are not some dangerous animal that should not be allowed. For those reasons, it serves it's purpose. The AKC is now seeing the STAR Program as a preq. to the CGC, but don't think they changed the age limit.

I've always tested my dogs with the CGC when they were older and I agree with you but I think it is not really intended to be forever. Even our therapy dog group, require more than just the CGC, and you have to pass intermediate obedience which is more like the AKC CD to participate in visiting for therapy. The BH has simular exercises but it is evaluating more than just this and considered a temperament evaluation. The CGC isn't.

I would encourage everyone to do the CGC and be proud of the certificate at whatever age, with the hope they will continue training with a possible title or activity that the dog enjoys. But I agree with you that it's not a temperment test that can predict further manners or the owners commitment to the dog. Good point and I agree it can not predict a puppy's future but any dog can develop bad manners. Being a responsible dog owner and what you do after the test may be more of a indicator of what will happen. It's aweful good press though, especially for dobermans that are seen by some as a dangerous breed and something we all could do.

[RKCM]

The evaluation to me only shows the puppy or dog had good manners that day and that the owner will commit to responsible dog ownership by signing the agreement. The intent being they will continue training in some venue as a responsible owner. I think of it as more of a fun activity and to encourage people to continue to train, I think the AKC even says something like that. It is also a way for the clubs and AKC to involve everyone and is good press for the public. It makes a little money for the clubs and almost everyone can pass it and win with little training honestly and just basic manners. Didn't mean to imply you thought it was a title.

I agree that it is not a temperament test where you can predict that the dog will have those same manners as a adult. I think it is likely to have them if the owner continues to train and work with the dog. I think that's the goal of the test and the above. I don't know of any group that considers it a way to say the dog with keep manners if it passes the test.

I've always tested my dogs with the CGC when they were older and I agree with you but I think it is not really intended to be forever. Even our therapy dog group, require more than just the CGC, and you have to pass intermediate obedience which is more like the AKC CD to participate in visiting for therapy. The BH has simular exercises but it is evaluating more than just this and considered a temperament evaluation. The CGC isn't.

I would encourage everyone to do the CGC and be proud of the certificate at whatever age, with the hope they will continue training with a possible title or activity that the dog enjoys. But I agree with you that it's not a temperment test that can predict further manners or the owners commitment to the dog. Good point and I agree it does not.