The STAR puppy class is an AKC program but the dog does NOT have to be AKC registered. The class is open to pups up to 1 year old.

The class includes socialization, training, activity, and responsibility. This class covers everything puppy related from potty training, exercise, grooming, how to properly socialize your puppy as well as starting basic obedience such as sit, down, heel, and recall in distractions and will work through the three D'S of distractions, distance, and duration. Each class begins and ends with puppy play time to help work on their socialization and how to properly interact with other dogs.

The class meets once a week for 50 min for 6 weeks and on the 6th week, there is a test and graduation.

The total fee for that 6-week class is $150 with a $30 nonrefundable deposit to hold the spot in class and the remaining balance of $120 due at the first class.

While we prefer that pups wait until they are fully vaccinated we also understand how important it is that they get that earlier socialization. We recommend speaking to your vet and following their recommendations on when your pup should begin group classes. Contact us if you have any questions or would like to get scheduled for a class.

What is Canine Good Citizen (CGC)?

At the AKC, we believe that all dogs can be good dogs, and all owners can be great owners, all it takes is a little bit of training, lots of love, and of course, plenty of praise along the way.

That’s why we created the Canine Good Citizen™ (CGC) program: an expert-made training program designed to help you and your dog be the best you can be–together.

Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners.

Who Can Participate in CGC?

CGC is open to all dogs–purebred and mixed breed. There are no age minimums or limits for participating in the Canine Good Citizen program, because yes, you can always teach an old dog new tricks!

With that being said, we also know that training a puppy can be very different than training an adult dog. Check out our specialized training program for puppies, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, which teaches the basics to get your puppy off to a good start and is an excellent first in-person training class.

The total fee for this 6-week class is $150 with a $30 nonrefundable deposit to hold the spot in class and the remaining balance of $120 due at the first class.

What is Community Canine?

AKC Community Canine is the third and most advanced level of the Canine Good Citizen Program. In AKC Community Canine, dogs can earn the CGCA (Advanced CGC) title. The goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog’s skills in a natural setting. For example, rather than the dog being tested in a ring, in AKC Community Canine, the “walks through a crowd” test item will involve the dog walking through a real crowd at a dog show, on a busy sidewalk, at a training club or in a local park.

What You Need To Begin?

To earn the AKC Community Canine (CGCA) title, your dog must have:

1) a Canine Good Citizen test on record at AKC. CGC is a prerequisite for the AKC Community Canine (CGCA) title.

2) an AKC number, or PAL number, or AKC Canine Partners number. We attach titles to a dog’s number at AKC. All dogs, including mixed breeds, can earn titles.

The total fee for this 6-week class is $150 with a $30 nonrefundable deposit to hold the spot in class and the remaining balance of $120 due at the first class.

What is the AKC Urban CGC?

AKC Urban CGC is a title in the Canine Good Citizen family of awards and titles that also include AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen and AKC Community Canine.

AKC Urban CGC requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in a setting that includes traffic, crowds, noises, smells and other distractions that are present in a city or town. As with Canine Good Citizen, AKC Urban CGC is a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Urban CGC title. This is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.

AKC Urban CGC is a public access test that demonstrates dogs are well-behaved and well-trained when in public settings. The Urban CGC test can be used by dog- friendly business (e.g., lodging, retail, transportation, public facilities) to recognize and accept dogs with good manners.

The Setting

All skills are tested on leash. AKC Urban CGC should be administered in a place where there are cars, streets to be crossed, noises, and distractions. This test is administered in the real world; it should not be simulated in a ring at a dog show.

When test items (such as riding on an elevator) are administered in public buildings, the buildings must be dog friendly or evaluators must have permission in advance from the business owners, managers, etc.

Requirements

To earn the AKC Urban CGC (CGCU) title, dogs must meet the following two requirements:

1. Must already have a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC. If the CGC and CGCU are tested on the same day, both forms should be sent in the same envelope to AKC so that the CGC can be applied to the dog’s record first.

2. Must have an AKC number of one of 3 types (AKC registration number, Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) number, or AKC Canine Partners number). All dogs, including mixed breeds, can get an AKC number. The reason for the AKC number requirement is that this is how we create titles at AKC; we attach the titles to the dog’s number. Read more information on getting an AKC number.

The total fee for this 6-week class is $150 with a $30 nonrefundable deposit to hold the spot in class and the remaining balance of $120 due at the first class.