Canine Good Citizen class and certification
Manners strong enough to pass a test: ten everyday situations, practised with games, and the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certification given on completion.
The class
Reinforce basic manners with games. The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certification test is given on completion of the class.
The class is for dogs that already know the basics — sit, down, stay, wait, leave-it, walk-on-lead and come-when-called — and owners who want those behaviours to hold up in a crowd, at the vet, or on a busy street rather than only in the training hall.
What a Canine Good Citizen can do
- Accept friendly handling by a stranger, including someone touching ears and feet.
- Sit politely while being petted, and stay calm when the owner steps away.
- Walk on a loose lead through a crowd without lunging or barking at other dogs.
- Sit and lie down on command, and stay in place while the handler moves away.
- Come when called, even with distractions nearby.
The test is set and administered by the American Kennel Club, which describes the current test items on akc.org.
Who it suits
Dogs of any breed or mix, provided they are comfortable being handled by strangers and are not aggressive towards people or other dogs. A Canine Good Citizen certificate is also the usual first qualification asked for by landlords, therapy dog programmes and some insurers.
Dogs that are not yet ready for a group class are better served by private instruction and behaviour counselling, which is scheduled at your convenience.
When it runs
Canine Good Citizen training runs in the Sunday 3:00 pm slot at 622 Alameda in Norman, sharing the hour with assistance dog training. Classes are booked in six-week blocks — see the class schedule.
At a glance
| Class | Canine Good Citizen |
|---|---|
| Where | 622 Alameda, Norman, OK 73070 |
| When | Sundays at 3:00 pm |
| Length | Six-week block, test on completion |
| Certification | American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen |
| Prerequisite | Basic manners — sit, down, stay, come, loose-lead walking |
| To book | 405-224-7715 or the enrolment form |
Test your dog
Call 405-224-7715 or email info@listenuppup.com — the centre is at 622 Alameda, Norman, OK 73070. If your dog already has the basics, we can tell you on the telephone whether it is ready for the Canine Good Citizen class or would benefit from a refresher first.