Two cents in re CGC.

For many, many dog owners, passing the CGC test represents a big step, if not the only step, in their dog management efforts.

The CGC is often failed, or so I have observed.

Granted, more enthusiastic, purposeful, higher focused dog owners expect more from their dogs, and work hard, very hard, to achieve and accomplish much higher level results than those expected by the CGC.

I'm not carrying any water for the CGC but generally I think a dog that passes the CGC is evidence that the owner is at least trying to manage the social behavior of his/her dog, as opposed to those irresponsible owners who have zero interest in training their dog to any level at all.

But in the context of the post and the advanced work discussed, the CGC is clearly not a very high bar to clear.

Rally is not "all on leash". The Buzzdog (Airedale x GSD mutt) and I do rally - it's fun, requires some OB and agility skills, and entertains his devious little mind. But it's not done on leash.

Some folk here are being a little sniffy about the CGC, which I find useful as a basic measure of socialization and how your dog behaves with strangers and around other dogs. The OB requirement is minimal but I don't think that's really the intention. I do the CGC with my dogs for certification I can point to if their temperament were ever called into question (e.g. being attacked by someone else's uncontrolled dog and then blamed for the consequences. It happens). I agree it's hardly a test of even fundamental obedience, but as already pointed out anything that gets people off the couch and starting to train should be applauded.

I am surprised that the CGC is acceptable for ringsports, though - I didn't know that.

For some, the CGC is not a big deal- their dogs could pass it in their sleep. For others, though, it really truly is an accomplishment that is worked hard for.

When I take in a foster, I work on the behaviors required for the CGC... it's kind of my Bible when starting off with a new foster. Having those basic skills helps these dogs find forever homes much faster and will be more likely to be successful.

It does kind of bother me when some pooh-pooh the CGC. For Caterina, it was an accomplishment that I am very proud of, and I always will be proud of her for earning it - she did the work, I just showed her the way.

I guess, I am saying that if someone takes the time to earn a CGC with their dog, they deserve more credit than what I am seeing here in this thread- not everyone in the world has a top notch sport dog that has multiple titles - or the time and money it takes to develop one.

Give credit where credit is due.

My two cents.

 Quote: Kelly

For some, the CGC is not a big deal- their dogs could pass it in their sleep. For others, though, it really truly is an accomplishment that is worked hard for.

When I take in a foster, I work on the behaviors required for the CGC... it's kind of my Bible when starting off with a new foster. Having those basic skills helps these dogs find forever homes much faster and will be more likely to be successful.

It does kind of bother me when some pooh-pooh the CGC. For Caterina, it was an accomplishment that I am very proud of, and I always will be proud of her for earning it - she did the work, I just showed her the way.

I guess, I am saying that if someone takes the time to earn a CGC with their dog, they deserve more credit than what I am seeing here in this thread- not everyone in the world has a top notch sport dog that has multiple titles - or the time and money it takes to develop one.

Give credit where credit is due.

My two cents.

I absolutely agree, and I hope nothing I said previously in this thread implied otherwise. I am actively involved in putting on the CGC test four times a year at my club. We actually do a practice run-through a week before the official test, so that's eight times a year that local owners have a chance to go through the ten items of the CGC test.

I am so impressed at the enthusiasm I see in those owners who bring their dogs to the practices and/or the actual tests. It is taken very seriously by almost everyone I have encountered. People are thrilled when they pass! And I have seen a few people in tears when they didn't pass. We try to give everyone the encouragement they need to keep working with their dogs and try again!

A few of the elements of the test are actually quite challenging and stressful. Especially, #10, where the dog is left on leash with a stranger and the owner steps out of sight for three minutes. That is a very long three minutes! I've seen a lot of dogs pass everything but that portion.

The two elements where the dog has to allow petting and handling by a stranger can also be difficult for some dogs. Not because of aggression (I have rarely seen anything close to that) but usually because of over-excitement and an inability to sit still, or occasionally, we see a fearful dog that shrinks away.

But whether they pass or not, we try to send the owners away with ideas on how to overcome issues they may be having with their dogs, as well as ideas of other activities they may be interested in participating in, like obedience, rally, agility, etc.

I am a big believer in encouraging responsible dog ownership and in helping people find enjoyable activities they can do with their dogs, and the CGC goes a long way to promote that.