K9 Titles & Programs
American Kennel Club (AKC) Programs
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is an excellent resource for dog lovers and dog trainers. The AKC educates the public about responsible dog ownership, encourages dogs as family companions, advances canine health and well-being, and advocates for dog owner rights.
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Dog training is a considerable part of responsible dog ownership and AKC has developed educational training programs for dog owners.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® Program
The Better Companion proudly offers the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® Program, designed to support puppies and their owners during early training and socialization. Open to both purebred and mixed-breed puppies up to 1 year old, S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility.
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This program is integrated into our Puppy 1, Puppy 2, and Foundations classes. Over six weeks, owners and puppies work on essential early training skills - many of which are foundational for the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program. Twenty key items are taught and evaluated throughout the course.
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Upon successful completion, you can submit your results to the AKC to receive the official S.T.A.R. Puppy medal and benefits, including a certificate, AKC Puppy Handbook, and monthly training tips.
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Enrollment in the S.T.A.R. program is available for just $20 and can be added at sign-up or anytime before week 4 of Puppy 1 or Foundations (or before week 1 of Puppy 2 if Puppy 1 was previously completed). Just select “STAR Puppy” on our pricing page when registering.
20 STEPS To Success:
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy® Program Test
OWNER BEHAVIORS:
1. Maintains puppy's health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)
2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge
3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan
4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator
5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy
6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.
PUPPY BEHAVIORS:
7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class
8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class
9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner's choice
10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy
PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS:
12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away
16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure
17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure
18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called
19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away
20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)
AKC's Canine Good Citizen®
(CGC) Program
The AKC Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program is a nationally recognized certification that rewards dogs who demonstrate good manners at home and in public. It promotes responsible pet ownership and basic obedience skills, laying the foundation for further training in obedience, agility, and performance sports.
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Dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test receive a certificate and may add the CGC title to their name. Owners can begin with the AKC S.T.A.R.® Puppy program, which introduces socialization, training, and responsibility in a gentler format, ideal for young dogs.
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CGC training helps strengthen the bond between dogs and their handlers while preparing dogs to behave politely around people, other animals, and in daily life. It’s an excellent way to show your commitment to being a responsible dog owner and is often considered the first step in a lifelong training journey.
The CGC Prep class prepares your dog to become a Canine Good Citizen®. The class runs for 6 weeks and covers the 20 behavior requirements tested. The CGC Test is not included and is an additional cost.
CGC® Test & Evaluation
The CGC Test evaluates your dog’s behavior in 10 everyday situations, focusing on obedience, calmness, and social confidence. It’s open to both purebred and mixed-breed dogs and is a great way to demonstrate responsible dog ownership.
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At The Better Companion, we regularly offer CGC Testing at various locations throughout the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage, often following one of our CGC® Prep Classes.
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To find upcoming test dates, please visit our online calendar or call the office for more information.
AKC's Canine Good Citizen Advanced®
(CGCA)
AKC Community Canine® is the advanced level of AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program.
As with CGC, AKC Community Canine has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Community Canine title. This is a title that appears on the dog's title record at AKC.
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The AKC Community Canine (CGCA) test may be done in a class, at shows, in pet stores or in the community. When the test is administered in community settings such as at a business or special event, evaluators must have the necessary approval of the business owners, etc. All skills on the test are tested on leash.
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While Canine Good Citizen tests are simulations of real world skills, (e.g., dog/handler walks through a "crowd" of evaluators in a ring), 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, in a therapy dog setting, or at a training club.
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Requirements:
To earn the AKC Community Canine title, dogs must meet the following two requirements:
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Must already have a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) award or title on record at AKC.
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Must have an AKC number of one of 3 types (AKC registration number, 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 the AKC creates titles. Titles are attached to the dog's AKC number. For more information on getting an AKC number: http://images.akc.org/cgc/number.pdf
AKC Trick Dog
AKC Trick Dog is one of AKC’s most popular training programs because trick training is fun for both dogs and their trainers.
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You can teach your dog tricks yourself, or you can go to a training class.
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Tricks are behaviors that are designed to entertain others. AKC Trick Dog ranges from very simple novice tricks such as teaching your dog to get in a box on cue, to complex tricks that are several behaviors chained together in one exciting sequence.
AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN)
Your dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list. (see link to “Application” below for lists of skills). If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title.
AKC Trick Dog Intermediate (TKI)
AKC Trick Dog is one of AKC’s most popular training programs because trick training is fun for both dogs and their trainers.
You can teach your dog tricks yourself, or you can go to a training class.
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Tricks are behaviors that are designed to entertain others. AKC Trick Dog ranges from very simple novice tricks such as teaching your dog to get in a box on cue, to complex tricks that are several behaviors chained together in one exciting sequence.
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Your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks.
AKC Fit Dog
The American Kennel Club is committed to improving and maintaining the fitness and health of all dogs and their owners.
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AKC FIT DOG titles were designed to provide a structured, individualized fitness plan that you and your dog can do together.
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There are 3 levels of AKC fitness titles:
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Bronze (FITB)
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Silver (FITS)
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Gold (FITG)
Each title requires a specific number of activity points to be completed, which varies based on title level.
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