Any dog can take the CGC test, regardless of breed, age, or registration status. Purebreds and mixed breeds are equally welcome.
The 10 Test Items
The CGC evaluates dogs on ten skills, all simulating everyday situations:
1. Accepting a friendly stranger. The evaluator approaches and speaks to you, ignoring your dog. Your dog must remain calm--no jumping, shying away, or excessive excitement.
2. Sitting politely for petting. The evaluator pets your dog on the head and body. Your dog must accept the contact without showing fear or resentment.
3. Appearance and grooming. The evaluator examines your dog's ears and front feet, and runs a brush or comb through the coat. This demonstrates that your dog tolerates handling and that you maintain their care.
4. Walking on a loose leash. You walk a course with turns and stops. The leash should remain slack--no pulling, no dragging.
5. Walking through a crowd. You navigate around several people, at least one with a dog. Your dog must remain controlled and show no more than casual interest in the distractions.
6. Sit, down, and stay on command. Your dog must demonstrate all three, holding the stay while you walk 20 feet away.
7. Coming when called. From 10 feet away, you call your dog. They must come reliably.
8. Reaction to another dog. Two handlers approach with their dogs, stop, shake hands, and continue. Your dog should show no more than casual interest in the other dog.
9. Reaction to distractions. The evaluator presents two distractions--typically something visual (like a dropped chair) and something auditory (like a loud noise). Your dog may show curiosity but should not panic, bark excessively, or try to flee.
10. Supervised separation. You hand your dog's leash to the evaluator and walk out of sight for three minutes. Your dog doesn't need to hold a position, but must not bark continuously, whine excessively, or show extreme distress.
What Disqualifies a Dog
Any sign of aggression--growling, snapping, lunging--results in immediate failure. So does eliminating during the test (accidents happen, but they're still a fail). Excessive fear, anxiety, or uncontrolled barking will also disqualify.
The standard is reasonable but real. The test is looking for a dog who can handle normal life without creating problems.
Why It Matters
The CGC isn't just a ribbon for your wall. It has practical value:
Housing. Some landlords and apartment complexes accept CGC certification as evidence that a dog is well-behaved.
Insurance. Some homeowner's insurance policies look more favorably on CGC-certified dogs, particularly for breeds that face restrictions.
Therapy dog prerequisite. Most therapy dog organizations require CGC certification (or equivalent) before a dog can begin therapy training.
Personal milestone. For many owners, the CGC represents a meaningful goal--proof that the work they've put into training has paid off.
Beyond the Basic CGC
The AKC offers advanced titles for dogs who want to keep progressing:
CGC Urban. Tests skills in a real-world urban environment--walking past restaurants, navigating through doors, riding in vehicles.
CGC Advanced (CGCA). Adds complexity: longer stays, more challenging distractions, off-leash heeling.
AKC Trick Dog. A separate track with five levels (Novice through Elite) for dogs who excel at tricks rather than formal obedience.
Preparing for the Test
Most dogs who pass CGC have completed basic obedience training covering sit, down, stay, come, and loose-leash walking. The test doesn't require perfection--your dog can make minor mistakes--but it does require reliability under mild distraction.
The biggest challenges for most dogs:
- Supervised separation. Dogs who have never been left with a stranger may struggle.
- Reaction to distractions. Startling at loud noises or sudden movements is common.
- Walking through a crowd. Dogs who pull toward other dogs or people need extra practice.
If your dog can do these things at home but falls apart in new environments, you need more practice generalizing skills to unfamiliar settings.
The Owner's Pledge
CGC isn't just about the dog. Before the test, owners sign a Responsible Dog Owners Pledge committing to proper care, training, licensing, and management. The program recognizes that good dogs come from responsible owners.