Cgc Training and Certification
What is CGC?
The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is a certification developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) to recognize dogs who demonstrate excellent manners and obedience in real-world environments. The program promotes responsible dog ownership and encourages well-behaved canine companions in public and at home.
While the CGC is not a medical alert or service dog certification — and does not permit a dog to be represented as a service animal — it serves as a critical foundational step for those planning to pursue advanced training, including potential service or working roles. Earning a CGC title signifies that both dog and owner have achieved a high standard of behavior, communication, and control in a variety of everyday scenarios.
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About Pando Dog Training
What to Expect
10-Week CGC Training Program — $2,500
An all-inclusive course designed to prepare you and your dog to successfully pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test, while strengthening obedience, confidence, and communication.
Total Investment: $2,500 per dog/handler team
(Includes training, materials, testing, and all AKC administrative fees — no hidden costs.)
Package Includes
Training Fees (due at sign-up) $2,150•
Group classes (10 sessions) $1500•
Private coaching (2 sessions) $500•
Training materials (Homework, Leashes, PDFs, logs) $175•
Mock test and final CGC test administration$200
AKC Filing Fees (due Week 6)$125• CGC certificate processing Included• Optional AKC title registration Included Administrative handling by Pando Dog Training
Total$2,500
Why Choose Pando Dog Training?
- Expert Instruction: Led by an AKC CGC Evaluator (#103671) with extensive training and behavioral experience.
- Personalized Coaching: Small group sizes and private sessions ensure individualized attention.
- Community Commitment: Supporting responsible dog ownership and well-mannered dogs throughout Spring Valley and beyond.
- Full-Service Convenience: We manage all AKC paperwork and logistics — you focus on training and bonding with your dog.
Why Choose cgc Training
Benefits
Achieving Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification provides significant advantages for both dogs and their owners. It demonstrates that a dog has mastered core obedience skills and can conduct themselves calmly, confidently, and politely in a variety of real-world situations. Benefits of having a CGC-qualified dog include:
- Enhanced Public Access and Acceptance:
CGC-certified dogs are more readily welcomed in public settings, housing communities, and travel environments due to their proven reliability and polite behavior.
- Improved Safety and Control:
Dogs who pass the CGC evaluation respond consistently to key commands such as sit, stay, come, and leave it, which greatly enhances safety during everyday outings or unexpected situations.
- Stronger Communication and Bonding:
The CGC process strengthens the relationship between owner and dog by establishing clear communication, mutual trust, and respect.
- Foundation for Advanced Training:
CGC certification often serves as a prerequisite for therapy dog programs and is an ideal stepping stone toward more advanced work such as service dog training, competitive obedience, and specialized certifications.
- Proof of Responsible Ownership:
Holding a CGC title reflects positively on owners, showcasing their commitment to training, control, and responsible dog stewardship.
- Better Community Integration:
CGC dogs are dependable and well-mannered around other animals, people, and distractions — making them excellent canine citizens within neighborhoods, parks, events, and public spaces.
Key Training Components
The CGC test assesses dogs on various criteria, including:
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Out for a walk (loose leash walking)
- Walking through a crowd
- Sit and down on command and staying in place.
- Coming when called
- Reaction to another dog
- Reaction to distractions
- Supervised separation
HOW IT WORKS
All training dogs are actively handled by their owners and are guided through the proper techniques needed to establish consistent behavior and effective teamwork. Sessions are conducted in small-group formats and structured around real-world environments to ensure practical, applicable results.
Each dog-and-handler team begins with three introductory sessions covering core terminology, foundational conditioning principles, and a clear understanding of expectations for both the dog and the owner.
Every scheduled class delivers not only a comprehensive educational experience — explaining the “why” behind each training method — but also provides a realistic framework for navigating day-to-day life with your dog, strengthening the working relationship between human and canine.
Results
Overall, the Canine Good Citizen program serves as an effective tool for encouraging responsible dog ownership and cultivating well-mannered, reliable canine companions. It is especially beneficial for owners seeking to enhance their dog’s behavior and etiquette across a variety of everyday situations.