Two non-competitive certification programs test canine behavior during simulated everyday activities, such as a walking around the block or meeting a new person. While similar in structure, the two tests are quite different. The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test evaluates learned behavior, while the Temperament Test (TT) evaluates untrained responses to various stimuli. Both programs help fight the ongoing battle against anti-dog legislation, so dog owners are encouraged to support them. Besides, they’re fun, and passing either one means earning a certificate and the satisfaction of coming so far with Spot. Both tests are available to all dogs, whether purebred or not.
Qualifying for the CGC
“A Canine Good Citizen is a dog that makes its owner happy without making someone else unhappy,” according to the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program booklet. That means Canine Good Citizens have learned to behave at home, are good neighbors, and have good manners in public. Dogs that pass the ten-part test earn a certificate proclaiming them a Canine Good Citizen, and their owners proudly add the letters CGC to their dog’s name.
The CGC test evaluates practical training (not formal obedience), so dogs are tested on how they behave during everyday situations such as being touched by a friendly stranger, walking on a crowded street, and meeting another dog while out for a stroll. They are also evaluated on their reaction to distractions, coming when called, and their attitude when their handler is out of sight (separation anxiety). In addition, they must obey simple commands such as “'Sit” and “Down,’’ but not with the precision of competitive Obedience dogs. All tests are performed on lead.
While preparing for the CGC test, owners learn how to train and control their dogs and the dogs become better companions. Many dog clubs and private obedience schools offer short courses in CGC training, and some of them give the test as their graduation exercise. In addition, the American Kennel Club offers free material to help people train their dogs for the test. Write or call: The American Kennel Club, Attention: CGC, 5580 Centerview Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606. Their phone number is (919) 233-9780. Ask for Canine Good Citizen training information and how to find a test near you.
Qualifying for the TT
“A sound mind in a sound body,” is the motto of the American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS). Dogs that pass the ATTS’s ten-part test earn a certificate, and their owners proudly display the letters TT (Temperament Tested) behind the dog’s name.
In its flyer, ATTS describes the test as follows:
“The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness, as well as the dog’s instinct for protectiveness toward its handler and or self-preservation in the face of a threat . . .
“The test simulates a casual walk through the park or neighborhood where everyday-life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly, and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog’s ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.”
Your dog needs no special training or preparation to take the ATTS test. Well-socialized family dogs usually earn their letters (TT) with ease.
For additional information and to find out where Spot can be tested, write or call: American Temperament Test Society, Inc., P.O. Box 397, Fenton, Missouri 63026. PH: (314) 225-5346. Request a flyer describing the test and a test schedule.
