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S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
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A.K.C.'s Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Programs
Contact us for more testing dates!!!
standingopaws@comcast.net or (559) 817 - 9283
The American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program began in 1989 and is designed to reward dogs who have good manners both in and out of the home. The CGC is a requirement for some homeowner's and renter insurance policies. It's also a prerequisite for most therapy dogs groups. The CGC is not a title but a certification that is awarded upon successfully passing a test of 10 items. Your dog must pass all 10 items in order to pass the test. We charge a $15 fee for the test to cover the cost of supplies and the venue of the test. If you do not pass one item on the test you can retake it after the test is over. However if you do not pass it at that time or miss more than 1 item during the original test we recommend waiting 2 weeks to retake it so you'll have time to work on the areas in need of improvement.
The testing items are as follows:
1. Accepting a friendly stranger.
2. Sitting politely for petting.
3. Appearance and grooming.
4. Out for a walk (walking on a loose leash)
5. Walking through a crowd.
6. Sit & Down on command and Staying in place
7. Coming when Called
8. Reaction to another dog
9. Reaction to distractions
10. Supervised Separation
You will need to have your dog on a flat buckle or slip collar made of fabric, leather, or chain and a 4-6 foot leash. While it may be necessary to train a dog with a correction collar (pinch, choker, head halters, etc.) they are not permitted during testing. By the time testing takes place, a dog who was trained with a correction collar should be transitioned over to a flat collar. You will also need to supply your dog's brush or comb at the time of testing.
We will supply a 20 foot lead for the test.
While treats, toys, and squeaky toys may be helpful in the training of a dog, they are not permitted to be used during testing.
There are no age or breed requirements to take the test. Any dog at any age can take the test. However, it is recommended that if a dog takes the test under a year of age that they retest after 1 year of age. It is also recommended that a dog be retested every 2 years.
The S.T.A.R. Puppy program is a new incentive program to reward dog owners who have taken their dog to a basic training class. There are no breed requirements to participate. All puppies up to 1 year of age are eligible to participate in the S.T.A.R. Puppy program. Food lures may be used during the S.T.A.R. Puppy program. There are 20 items in the program that have to be met in order become a STAR Puppy. Some of these will be tested during the 6 weeks of class the rest will be during a testing session at the end of your class.
Owner Behaviors:
1. maintains puppy health (exams, vaccines, appears healthy)
2. receives Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge
3. describes adequate daily play and exercise plan
4. attend at least 6 weeks of class by an A.K.C. CGC approved evaluator
5. brings bags to class for cleaning up after puppy
6. obtained some form of ID for puppy's collar
Puppy Behaviors:
7. free of aggression towards people during 6 weeks of class
8. free of aggression towards other puppies during class
9. tolerates collar or body harness of owner's choice
10. owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
11. allows owner to take away a toy or treat
Pre-Canine Good Citizen test Behaviors:
12. Allows petting by a person other than the owner
13. Grooming- allows owner handling and brief exam of feet and ears
14. Walks on a leash - follows owner in a straight line of 15 steps
15. Walking on a leash past people 5 feet away
16. Sits on command
17. Downs on command
18. Comes on command from 5 feet away
19.Reaction to Distractions 15 feet away
20. Stay on leash with another person for owner to walk 10 steps and return
The S.T.A.R. Puppy program is a lead into the Canine Good Citizen program but it is not a requirement.
For more detailed information on the Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy program visit The American Kennel Club website.
