Throughout the year, we offer the following AKC Certifications:
AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN (CGC)
The Canine Good Citizen program is a great way to put the obedience skills that you have taught your dog to the test. Just about any dog and handler team can participate and earn various certifications. The Canine Good Citizen test is designed to test and reward basic good manners, obedience skills, and responsible dog ownership. The test is split into 10 steps or stations. A different skill such as sitting politely while a friendly stranger approaches, or walking on a loose lead through a crowd of strangers, is tested at each station.
AKC COMMUNITY CANINE (CGC-A)
Community Canine is the advanced version of the CGC. Passing the CGC is a pre-requisite. The CGCA test also has 10 stations, designed to test the dog's manners in a situation such as a dog show, dog class, park, etc. Different skills are tested such as having the dog sit and stay within a group, or having the dog ignore food on the ground.
AKC URBAN CANINE GOOD CITIZEN (CGC-U)
The Urban version of the Canine Good Citizen test is performed in the community. Passing the CGC is a pre-requisite. The CGCU also has 10 test items. For example, a dog must take stairs, steps, or an elevator. Or, sit calmly while a person holding a bag, etc. approaches to pet the dog.
Farm Dog (FDC)
The FDC program provides an opportunity for all dogs to apply their basic training in a novel environment, demonstrating their natural capability and trainability to work in partnership with their human companions. The Farm Dog Certified test is open to all dogs. The Farm Dog Certified test provides for a series of twelve exercises that represent situations a farm dog would encounter in a typical farm environment. The basic test requirements are designed to emphasize a dog’s ability of self-control, confidence and trust necessary to succeed in any canine/human partnership. These traits and foundational training are vital to a working farm dog.
TRICK DOG (TKN, TKI, TKA, TKP, TKE)
Do you and your dog love to be the life of the party by showing off his arsenal of tricks? Then he might be perfectly primed to earn AKC Trick Dog titles!
From the 1920’s and 1940’s when trick dogs such as Rin Tin Tin and Lassie won peoples’ hearts, to 2017 when a trick dog made it to the finals on America’s Got Talent, trick dog training has always been – and still is — one of the most exciting areas in dog training.
There are five AKC Trick Titles you and your dog can earn:
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AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN)- Your dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list. If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title.
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AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) – Your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks.
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AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) – Your dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 10 tricks from the Advanced list.
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AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) – In this title, handlers perform a short routine with at least 10 tricks with at least 3 tricks using props.
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AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE) – In the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script. At least 5 props are used.
Throughout the year, we offer the following NON-AKC Certifications:
THERAPY DOG
Therapy Dog testing will be available to test for Alliance of Therapy Dogs and Love on a Leash.
Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD)
The process begins with a test done by one of our Tester/Observers in your area. This test includes a handling portion which tests your dog’s basic good manners and your handling skills. If you and your dog pass, you move to the next step of interacting with residents or strangers on three supervised visits.Qualifications for ATD begin with a friendly dog, any breed or mix, and an owner/handler who has a desire to share it with those who are no longer able to own a pet, or are in a health facility separated or away from their pets. Dogs must be at least one year of age to be tested and observed. Please note: If you are testing for Alliance of Therapy Dogs, you will need to bring proof of your passed ATD background check. For further information on the ATD background check please visit the ATD website at www.therapydogs.com
Love on a Leash
Love on a Leash® is committed to bringing comfort, happiness, and healing to more people nationwide by increasing public awareness of pet-provided therapy. Our volunteer organization provides an accessible certification process that allows qualified therapy teams to provide effective pet-provided therapy services in their community. Our Vision is to be recognized as a well-respected and welcoming pet-provided therapy organization. Our desire is to be instrumental in creating a world where pet-provided therapy is widely understood and accepted as a helpful and healing therapy, and is accessible to all who can benefit. More infoon our website.
TEMPERAMENT TESTING
ATTS Temperament Testing or AKC Temperament Testing is offered every other year, if sufficient interest is expressed to schedule testing dates locally. If you are interested in getting your dog Temperament Tested, please contact tmdtc1@gmail.com to sign up for the next testing session.