The AKC Canine Good Citizen program is one of the most recognized dog training certifications in the country — and at The Service Dog Team Academy, we don’t just prepare your dog for it. Both Valerie Fry and Keisha Tucker are certified AKC CGC Evaluators, meaning your dog is prepped and tested by the same team — no outside evaluator needed.
Whether you’re working toward CGC as a standalone goal or as a milestone in our service dog training program, we’ll get your dog there using the same positive reinforcement methods we use across every program we run.
What Is the Canine Good Citizen Test?
The CGC is a 10-step AKC evaluation that confirms your dog has the manners, focus, and handler responsiveness to behave reliably in everyday situations. It’s used as a benchmark by apartment communities, therapy dog organizations, airlines, and service dog programs worldwide.
The 10 CGC test items are:
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Walking on a loose leash
- Walking through a crowd
- Sit, down, and stay on command
- Coming when called
- Reacting politely to another dog
- Reacting calmly to distractions
- Supervised separation
Your dog doesn’t need to be perfect — but they do need to demonstrate reliable, consistent responses in each area. Our CGC prep is designed to build exactly that.
CGC as a Service Dog Milestone
In our service dog training program, CGC certification is a required milestone before advancing to CGC Urban and task-specific training. Once your dog passes, they earn:
- Plane travel privileges
- Access to additional approved public locations
- Eligibility to begin CGC Urban and task-specific training
Under Texas law, Service Dogs in Training (SDITs) already have full public access rights — but CGC certification is the formal benchmark that confirms your dog is ready for the next phase of the program.
CGC Urban — The Next Level
AKC CGC Urban builds on standard CGC by evaluating your dog’s behavior in real urban environments — busier settings, more foot traffic, more distractions, tighter spaces. It’s the bridge between basic CGC and the kind of public access reliability a service dog needs. We incorporate CGC Urban preparation into our service dog training pathway for dogs advancing toward full task training.
Who Should Pursue CGC Certification?
- Dogs completing our Board & Train program ready to take the next step
- Service dogs in training working toward full public access certification
- Dogs whose owners need proof of training for housing, travel, or workplace access
- Therapy dog candidates — many organizations require CGC as a prerequisite
- Any dog whose owner wants a nationally recognized, verified measure of their training
Why Get Tested Through TSDTA
Most dog owners have to find a separate certified evaluator to administer the CGC test after training somewhere else. At TSDTA, your dog is prepped and evaluated by the same certified team. Valerie and Keisha know your dog, know exactly what they’ve worked on, and administer the test themselves — no gap between preparation and evaluation.
We’re based in Rockwall, TX and serve clients throughout the greater DFW area — including Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Garland, Mesquite, and surrounding communities. Contact us or call (469) 786-7877 to get started.
Canine Good Citizen FAQs
What is the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification?
The AKC Canine Good Citizen program is a nationally recognized certification that tests your dog’s manners and your control as a handler across 10 standardized items. It’s widely used by landlords, airlines, therapy dog organizations, and service dog programs as a benchmark for well-trained dogs.
Do you have to use an AKC club to get CGC certified?
No. Any AKC-certified CGC Evaluator can administer the test. Both Valerie Fry and Keisha Tucker are certified CGC Evaluators, so we test dogs directly through our program without needing a third-party evaluator or AKC club event.
How long does it take to prepare for the CGC test?
It depends on where your dog is starting from. Dogs who’ve completed our Board & Train program are typically close to CGC-ready by the time they come home. Dogs starting from scratch with solid basic obedience may need 4–8 weeks of targeted prep. We’ll give you an honest timeline after assessing your dog.
What age does a dog need to be to take the CGC test?
Dogs must be at least 6 months old to take the AKC CGC test. There’s no upper age limit — older dogs can and do pass CGC regularly.
Does my dog need to be AKC registered to earn CGC?
No. Mixed breeds and dogs without AKC registration are eligible through the AKC Canine Partners program. All dogs are welcome regardless of breed or registration status.
Is CGC required for service dogs?
Not legally — the ADA doesn’t require CGC for service dogs. But in our program, CGC is a required training milestone before advancing to CGC Urban and task-specific work. It’s a verifiable benchmark that confirms your dog has the public manners and handler reliability needed for the next phase.
What’s the difference between CGC and CGC Urban?
Standard CGC tests your dog’s manners in a controlled setting. CGC Urban adds the complexity of real urban environments — sidewalks, crowds, storefronts, traffic noise, and tighter spaces. For service dogs heading toward full public access, CGC Urban is the more relevant benchmark. We prepare dogs for both in our service dog training program.
Can my dog retake the CGC test if they don’t pass?
Yes. There’s no limit on retakes. If your dog doesn’t pass all 10 items, we’ll identify what needs more work and continue training before scheduling a retest. Most dogs pass on their first or second attempt when they’ve been properly prepared.
Does CGC certification help with housing or travel?
Yes, in practical terms. Many landlords and apartment communities accept CGC certification as proof of training when negotiating pet policies. Airlines also increasingly recognize CGC-certified service dogs in training. It’s not a legal guarantee of access, but it’s a widely accepted credential that carries real weight in those conversations.
What should my dog already know before starting CGC prep?
The more foundation your dog has, the faster prep goes. Dogs with solid sit, down, stay, and leash manners are typically ready to move straight into CGC-specific work. Dogs without that foundation will need to build those skills first — our Board & Train or In-Home Training programs are good starting points.
How do I sign up for CGC prep and testing at TSDTA?
Reach out through our contact page or call us at (469) 786-7877. We’ll talk through your dog’s current training level, recommend the right prep path, and schedule your evaluation once your dog is ready.
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