The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program, established in 1989, is an American Kennel Club program to promote responsible dog parentship and to encourage the training of well-mannered dogs. A dog and handler team must take a short behavioral evaluation of less than half an hour; dogs who pass the evaluation earn the Canine Good Citizen certificate, which many people represent after the dog's name, abbreviating it as CGC; for example, "Fido, CGC".

We offer a 7 week Canine Good Citizen Class (60 minute classes - on leash)


Click here for when the next Canine Good Citizen class is being offered!


The evaluation consists of ten objectives. All items must be completed satisfactorily or the team fails. Test items include:

• Accepting a friendly stranger.
  
  
• Sitting politely for petting.
  
  
• Allowing basic grooming procedures.
  
  
• Walking on a loose lead.
  
  
• Walking through a crowd.
  
  
• Sitting and lying down on command and staying in place.
  
  
• Coming when called.
  
  
• Reacting appropriately to another dog.
  
  
• Reacting appropriately to distractions.
  
  
• Calmly enduring supervised separation from the owner.
  
  

Evaluators sometimes combine elements during the actual test.

If all ten objectives are met, the handler can apply for a certificate and special dog tag from the AKC stating that the dog has earned the CGC.

Dogs do not have to be registered with the AKC to earn a CGC, nor do they have to be purebred or, in fact, registered with any canine organization. The goal is to promote good citizenship for all dogs.

Since its inception, the CGC program has become the model for similar programs around the world, is the backbone of other exams, such as those given for therapy dogs, and is a good starting point for more advanced dog training.

*We offer a free trial introductory class to see if our Canine Good Citizen class is the right class for you.

A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and to people with learning difficulties. In addition, therapy dogs can also help physically stimulate people in nursing homes or assisted living facilities by playing ball, being brushed or petted, and going for walks.

Benefits
Research indicates that interaction with therapy dogs can temporarily affect the release of various neurotransmitters in the brain; levels of oxytocin (linked with bonding) and dopamine (involved in the reward-motivation system) are increased, while cortisol levels (an immunosuppressant associated with stress) are decreased.

At Colleges and Universities
In 2014, Concordia University, Wisconsin became the first university in the United States to adopt a full-time therapy dog to its campus in Mequon, WI. The golden retriever, Zoey, is a Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog, trained to interact with people at churches, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, events, and in disaster response situations.

Bronze Package
(3 sessions) Save 5%

Silver Package
(5 sessions) Save 10%

Gold Package
(7 sessions) Save 15%

Expert Package
(10 sessions) Save 20%

Doggie Dozen Package
(12 sessions) Save 25%

We combine private in home sessions and group classes to reach Canine Good Citizenship level for your dog in a shorter period of time. With our Hybrid Package, we always start with just one in home private session or a free trial introductory class at one of our locations to make sure it's a good fit for you. At the end of your first private training session or complimentary trial class, if you enjoy it and want to continue, you can purchase either individual private sessions or a "Divine Hybrid Package".

Bronze Package
3 private sessions and 7 week series of classes) Save 5% on your private training sessions

Silver Package
5 private sessions and 7 week series of classes) Save 10% on your private training sessions

Gold Package
7 private sessions and 7 week series of classes) Save 15% on your private training sessions

Expert Package
10 private sessions and 7 week series of classes) Save 20% on your private training sessions

Doggie Dozen Package
12 private sessions and 7 week series of classes) Save 25% on your private training sessions

Our Divine Therapy Dog Unlimited package combines Private in home sessions and Unlimited access to all of our available classes, Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience and *Canine Good Citizen classes
*our canine good citizen classes are subject to availability in your area.

In addition, our Therapy Dog Unlimited package comes with 1 administering of the Canine Good Citizen test by a Certified AKC CGC Evaluator. Once your dog passes our Canine Good Citizen test, your dog will receive a Therapy Dog 'In Training' Vest and Karma Dog Certificate at no additional charge. *Contact for pricing.

Bronze Package
3 private sessions and Unlimited Group classes

Silver Package
5 private sessions and Unlimited Group classes

Gold Package
7 private sessions and Unlimited Group classes

Expert Package
10 private sessions and Unlimited Group classes

Doggie Dozen Package
12 private sessions and Unlimited Group classes

If your dog does not pass the Canine Good Citizen test the first time around, he/she will have the opportunity to be tested again. Each additional administering of the Canine Good Citizen test requires the purchase of a minimum of one additional private session in order to properly prepare your dog to successfully pass the test.