Canine Good Citizenship certification

[ceile]

Has anyone here gone through this training? I want to get my dog involved in volunteering at nursing homes and schools, but each place I've called say that she needs to be certified first. I've found several people in the area who do this, but I was wondering how long it would take? Is it worth it?

[demily]

1. My pup is a Canine Good Citizen!

The test itself only takes an hour at the most. The tester puts the dog through 10 tests, grading each pass or fail. (http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm) The dog must pass all 10 to receive certification (a pretty tough standard if you ask me!). If your dog is very well behaved already he/she may be able to pass without any prior training, but we went through a 6-week course beforehand that concentrated on the requirements of the test. I found it to be a great experience over all. My dog was about 8 months old when we started, and in the first class she jumped and squirmed around and didn't pay a bit of attention to me. I thought, there is no way we're passing this test. But by the day of the test, I could put her in a sit-stay and walk across the room, and she would sit there obediently for a solid three minutes! She passed the test with flying colors and we were declared "most improved" by the instructor. The whole thing was very rewarding and strengthened the bond between us. I did this just for general obedience and training reasons, but I would definitely recommend it for any dog that is going to be a therapy dog. Good luck! :D

[ceile]

4. Thanks!

[femmocrat]

2. Yes! It is totally worth it.

All of my dogs have earned it (except the latest puppy). It is not difficult, but you should probably enroll in an obedience course to master all the requirements. A basic obedience class is usually 8 weeks plus daily practice at home. Some will offer the CGC test at the end of the class.

You have to achieve the CGC in order to take the test for Registered Therapy Dog. One of my corgis is a therapy dog. :)

Good luck, hope you enjoy the experience with your dog! :hi:

[ceile]

3. She's 9, so obedience is not an issue.

I just think she's bored. Her companion died a few years back and we've moved so she doesn't get to see her buddies everyday. She LOVES people and is so gentle, especially with children. I think volunteering would definitely improve her quality of life. She's in perfect health and I'd like for her next 4-5 years to be great!
Thanks for the input! I'll read the requirements and start getting her ready myself.

[Roon]

5. I enjoyed the pups when i worked at the nursing home eom

[kimi]

6. If you do take your pup through it

I can tell you from experience that patients in hospitals/nursing homes/therapy centers LOVE seeing those dogs and cats!! I was an inpatient at a physical rehab hospital for several months in the late 90's, and it was a rare bright day when one of the therapy dogs - a Newfoundland and a Flat-coated Retriever - showed up. Made my week, really. I remember those days vividly still. Can't begin to tell you how much it meant, really.

[ceile]

8. That's exactly what I want to do with her!

I want to give people that positive experience and "make someone's week". My girl is such a sweet, sweet dog and I know she'll get as much out of it as the humans.

[undeterred]

7. I took an 8 week class to prepare for the certification test.

There are 10 skills on the test, and they have to pass all of them. My dog only passed 8 out of 10 the first time; a year later he passed all 10. Its a good thing to do with your dog even if you're not going to have him be a therapy dog.

The people I know who have successful therapy dogs say they couldn't do it till the dogs were a few years old, and had calmed down.