AKC "Good Manners" CGC certification teaches dogs good social skills

AKC "Good Manners" CGC certification teaches dogs good social skills

SAN DIEGO Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Does your dog have good manners or bad habits? The AKC (American Kennel Club) has a certification called the CGC or Canine Good Citizen program might tell you which one you have on your hands, and how to improve.

The certification is a two-part program designed to reward dogs with good behavior and also stresses responsible pet ownership for owners. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Owners who recognize the importance of socializing their dogs know that training is an essential part of life. Dogs with a solid obedience education are a joy to live with, respond well to household routines and have good manners in the presence of people or other dogs. All of these skills serve to enhance the bond shared with their owner.

Lara Schindler, Trainer with Happy Dog Happy Owner, has received her CGC Evaluator certification, and is conducting training and tests for anyone with a dog that is ready to get started. Open to all dogs and their owners, regardless of the dog's age or pedigree, it is not necessary to be a member of the AKC to get dogs tested. More like an obedience program, dogs and owners will go through a series of simple tests to demonstrate that the dog knows and is able to obey basic obedience commands. In addition, dogs are required to show no aggression towards people or other animals. Finally, the dog must show composure in a crowded and noisy situation, and in everyday social situations.

For the younger group, a special puppy program called S.T.A.R. Puppy is available. As a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Schindler can conduct the S.T.A.R. test and decide whether your dog has passed or needs more work.

Underscoring the importance of these skills, the AKC reports that there are a growing number of animal shelters training dogs on CGC skills to help with adoption. They may advertise that the dog is trained with a sign on the kennel door saying, "If you adopt me, we can earn our CGC certificate..."

For more information on the CGC Certification visit the AKC website at http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/program.cfm. For local classes and test dates, please go to www.happydoghappyowner.com.

Lara Schindler is an ABC Certified Dog Trainer, honors graduate of Animal Behavior College, CGC Certified Evaluator and Pet First Aid certified through the American Red Cross. As owner and founder of Happy Dog Happy Owner, she runs a San Diego-based dog training group dedicated to developing successful relationships with pets through productive and positive reinforcement training techniques in obedience, fitness and water sports.

To learn more about Happy Dog Happy Owner's mission, training philosophies and services, Call Lara Schindler at 619-889-8606 or visit www.happydoghappyowner.com.

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