Canine Good Citizen - The Official Akc Guide: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know

The 10-step curriculum to a well-mannered dog!

This official guide is for dog owners preparing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, as well as anyone who wants a clear, structured path to teaching reliable manners at home and in public. Whether you are working with a puppy or an adult dog, this book walks you through the exact skills evaluated in the CGC program using a practical, step-by-step training curriculum.

• Master the 10 skills evaluated in the AKC Canine Good Citizen test
• Train polite behavior for real-world situations, including greetings, walking on leash, and calm public manners
• Practice each exercise exactly as it is evaluated, so you know what to expect on test day
• Build a foundation for advanced AKC programs, including therapy dog and other CGC-based pathways

The Canine Good Citizen program was created by the American Kennel Club to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.

Written by Mary R. Burch, PhD, with input from the respected dog experts at the American Kennel Club — the very same organization that designed the test — Canine Good Citizen - The Official AKC Guide will help dog owners easily maneuver through the program's 10-step curriculum, with a focus on responsible pet ownership and basic good manners for dogs.

The only comprehensive guide that details scientifically sound behavioral principles and the tested ten-step curriculum for obtaining the Canine Good Citizen Award from the American Kennel Club, this book helps dog owners learn everything they need to know to raise and train well-mannered pets. With the valuable information found in this helpful guide, you can train your dog to be obedient, practice good manners, behave on walks, and pass the prestigious Canine Good Citizen obedience test with flying colors!

The first edition of Canine Good Citizen was awarded Training Book of the Year by the Dog Writers Association of America, and this expanded edition presents even more details and updated information regarding the various activities and exciting AKC programs in which CGC dogs can participate, from agility, tracking, and herding to becoming an AKC Therapy Dog, AKC Trick Dog, and more.

This 192-page guide encourages responsible dog ownership to ensure that well-mannered dogs remain welcome in every community!

"Finally, a definitive guide to the AKC's wonderful CGC Program. Every dog owner will enjoy reading this book from cover to cover, living and benefitting from its message of positive companion-dog training. Five woofs!" — Dr. Ian Dunbar, Founder, Association of Pet Dog Trainers

"We are extremely proud that the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Program has become recognized as a standard of training for every dog, regardless of age or breed. Canine Good Citizen provides you with the foundation you need to be a responsible dog owner, and it will educate you how to teach your dog the skills he needs to be a well-mannered pet." — Dennis B. Sprung, President, American Kennel Club

Mary R. Burch, Ph.D., is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She is also a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Dr. Burch is an award-winning writer; she has published five books and over 100 articles. Her behavioral research has been published by the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Burch is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.