CGC...Just A Dream?

[MyPemCharlie]

Well I last November I was planning to have Charlie pass his CGC by January. As most of you know, it is April.

We are still months away from passing the test. We've got most of it covered, but Charlie still goes into "official jumping greeter" mode when approached by a person. And a person with another dog??? Forget it! Anyway we're still working on Sit Stay while we're on our walks when see someone approaching. People still think it's cute when Charlie jumps on them even when I tell them they can only pet him if he sits and stays sitting. Anyway, a week from Tuesday, I'm going to go audit a CGC test (without Charlie) to see some good role models and maybe get renewed hope for my boy.

How many of you completed the CGC program with your Corgi and at what age did your dog pass the test?

[Michael Romanos]

CGC in New Zealand is for dogs over 12 months of age. I would wait until a Corgi is at least aged 18 months. It is really based on dog friendship - and when a dog is able to be a little more composed then the programme will run smoothly for you and him/her with less training sessions required and saving the owner money.

[glencorgi]

The AKC Canine Good Citizen program is not based on dog friendship, which I'm sure Chris already knows.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

That's interesting that they put a minimum age on the CGC in NZ. My last dog breezed through basic and advanced obedience and had his CGC at 9 months old. He was a very attentive, focused and reserved dog, and an extremely hard worker. Charlie is not nearly as quick at learning obedience skills, and gets easily distracted. He makes up for it though, by being so sweet and funny, and an all-around great companion dog. If he weren't so overtly friendly with strangers and other dogs, I think we could test and pass the CGC today. I've got to get him to stop trying to rush up and jump on people, or strain against his leash to meet another dog. That's what I think may take several more months.

[Chip's Mom]

Chip got his when he was 11 months old and he is a jumper. Must jump up on anyone that he sees because he knows in his heart of hearts that they love him even when they don't so anyway, I didn't think Chip would pass his cgc so I prayed. When it came time for that part of the test, this lady that he had taken a dislike to was the person who came around to each dog and low and behold Chip sat a perfect sit and behaved himself so he passed. Woo Hoo! Of course, I had to take a pic of Chip with the lady that did the testing and he immediately jumped up and gave her a big sloppy kiss but it was too late, he had already been awarded his certificate.

[MyPemCharlie]

Haha! That's a great story Bonnie! I can just envision Chip jumping up to kiss the woman, "Hey, Thanks lady!!"

I wonder if Charlie might behave better in a controlled environment with calm test people and calm dogs, versus the people and dogs we meet out on our walks or at the park. The testers can't come running up gushing "Oh how cute! Can I pet your dog???"...getting Charlie all excited. I thought about just going ahead and testing him to see, but decided to go and sit in on a test to see how stringent they are.

[Chip's Mom]

I would jump in and get my feet wet, if he passes, he passes and if he doesn't there is always another time. Remember to pray first though. I would say he will do fine. Chip is the same way and that is the mischieveous side of him and everyone thinking he is adorable

[MyPemCharlie]

I'll probably feel more confident after watching this upcoming session. It's been over ten years since I took my last dog through CGC. We'll probably try the next time they offer a test.

The lady on the phone I spoke with to ask if I could just come watch the tests had a definite bias against Corgis. Maybe when we do test, I'll have Charlie jump up and give her a big sloppy kiss.

[Michael Romanos]

The New Zealand version of CGC is based on the British model who devised the programme before it was taken up in other countries like the USA. Not that this means much, but to become a good citizen here in NZ, a dog must demonstrate a non threatening disposition towards people and other dogs and must be able to display being controllable by his/her handler off and on leash. That's the major thrust of CGC here.
Here in NZ as in Britain, CGC follows on from puppy training for dogs under 12 months though any dog can join from any age past their year one birthday. When the local council installs a 30-60 percent discount on annual dog registration fees for those dogs which gain a CGC certificate, I'll be puting Taylor through CGC. This will mean only a couple of training sessions because he is well clued up behaviour-wise.