AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPY

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class.  When you complete a basic training class (taught by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator) with your puppy (up to 1 year old) your puppy is eligible to be enrolled in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. You’ll attend a puppy or basic training class at least 6 weeks. Your instructor will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test at the end of the course. Upon passing the test, you’ll get an application to send to AKC® for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. All dogs are welcome to participate in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® Program including purebreds and mixed breeds.

Your puppy will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal and you and your puppy will be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. In addition, so that you can continue learning, you’ll receive our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package that includes:

• A beautiful, frameable certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC
• AKC Puppy Handbook, a valuable resource
• Ongoing Monthly Email Newsletter: Your AKC T his includes training tips and up-to-date information every dog owner needs to know. We want you and your puppy to continue learning beyond puppy classes. 

Collar, Leashes and Equipment

All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars (including martingales) or body harnesses. Body harnesses should not restrict the movement of the dog. Special training equipment such as pinch collars and head collars are not permitted. The leash should be made of either leather or fabric. Retractable leashes may not be used in the test.  This requirement is according to the American Kennel Club.

The AKC Canine Good Citizen™ (CGC) program is designed to help you and your dog be the best team you can be. It just takes some positive training and a strong bond. The AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is a 10-part evaluation that assesses a dog’s obedience, manners, and social skills in everyday situations. It’s a non-competitive test for all dogs of any age that focuses on responsible pet ownership and helps prepare dogs for public outings, therapy work, and other activities. Passing the CGC test will guide you toward responsible dog ownership and help prepare your dog for further training like AKC Trick Dog or AKC Therapy Dog. But perhaps most importantly, it will teach your dog useful life skills that will benefit you both no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

There is no minimum age for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, and the program is open to dogs of all ages. However, puppies under one year of age may be better suited for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program, which focuses on foundational training. CGC instruction training programs can provide CGC training to owners and dogs who need to learn a few more skills before taking or retaking the test.

AKC COMMUNITY CANINE℠ is the advanced level of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program. Dogs who pass the AKC Community Canine test earn the official AKC Community Canine title that is designated by the letters “CGCA” (Advanced CGC) on the dog’s title record.

Whereas Canine Good Citizen tests are most often tested in a ring and situations are simulated (e.g., 3 helpers serve as a “crowd”), the AKC Community Canine test is done in real situations including at shows, classes, and in the community.

AKC URBAN CGC requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in a setting that includes traffic, crowds, noises, smells and other distractions that are present in a city or town.  All skills are tested on leash. AKC Urban CGC should be administered in a place where there are cars, streets to be crossed, noises, and distractions. This test is administered in the real world.  The dog must already have a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC.  

PLEASE NOTE from AKC: Passing the Urban CGC test or Canine Good Citizen test does not make a dog a service dog or emotional support dog. A key distinction of service or emotional support dogs is that the owner/handler has a disability. It is unethical to misrepresent a pet dog as a service or emotional support animal.