AKC - CGC, Evaluation Test at the HABC July Show

[HABC]

Information for the
American Kennel Club ~ Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
and a list of previous American Bulldogs who have achieved this award at our events in the UK

An American Kennel Club
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Evaluation Test at the
HABC Summer Weekend Show
~ Sat 29th & Sun 30th July 2006 ~

The HABC are proud to be hosting for the 3rd year running a
CGC Evaluation Trial as part of our
Summer Weekend Show
of Working Events & an ABNA Conformation Show.

The HABC was formed to promote legitimate
sanctioned conformation shows, and working events
for the breed where the
points and titles gained would be credible and
recognised throughout the world,
we strongly believed and still do believe,
that the issues relevant to the breed, ie
good temperament, health issues, ethical breeding,
and responsible dog ownership, ect
needed to be openly discussed and promoted,
positively re our breed, for the future of our breed.

The CGC is a certification program that is designed
to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.
The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that
stresses responsible pet ownership for owners
and basic good manners for dogs.
All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may
receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training
as the first step in training their dogs.

This will be the third year that we have
brought an evaluator over from the USA,
to evaluate dogs from our breed.
Greg Souza is a sanctioned evaluator for the
CGC by the American Kennel Club.
He is the current President of the ABNA &
has been a Senior Judge for them for many years.
He is a breeder / owner of American Bulldogs,
which helps for a relaxed atmosphere at the trial,
and when evaluating dogs, as he knows our breed…

At our first trial in 2004 a total of 13 dogs
passed the test requirements,
this rose to 19 dogs at our second trial in 2005….
This makes a total of 32 American Bulldogs
who have been awarded their
AKC – CGC certificates here in the UK.
This is a great step forward in the right direction for the breed,
in demonstrating that American Bulldogs
should & can have a good temperament and
their owners should & can be responsible dog owners.
The HABC lists all these American Bulldogs
that have tested at our events on this website …

If you would like to earn this award
and after reading through the test requirements below
you have further queries,
then please contact us….
details at the bottom of this announcement


AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program
Training/Testing: CGC Test Items

Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to take care of their dog's health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringe on the rights of others.
After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their dogs are ready to take the CGC Test.

Items on the Canine Good Citizen Test include:

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation.
The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.

Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.

Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.

Test 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.

Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.

Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog

Test 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.

Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.

Test 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's alright").

Equipment
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC test. We recognize that special training collars may be very useful tools for beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler should bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.

Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test. The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and treats are not permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc. to get the dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may provide valuable reinforcement or encouragement during the training process but these items should not be used during the test.

Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The only exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test Item 10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed from the test.


If after reading through the requirements you feel that
You and your American Bulldog may be capable
of passing the requirements for this award…..
Then please apply to enter at the administration desk at the July show.
A fee is charged to enter per dog & handler,
the cost is to be confirmed soon.
If you pass the test requirements & are awarded the CGC
then the above fee includes the cost of the certificate
which is forwarded by the American Kennel Club
on receipt of the completed evaluators forms.

If you have any queries, about this scheme, the tests, ect
then please contact us (details below)
and we would be more than happy to discuss them.

[glow=green,2,300]The HABC would like to wish all participants the Best of Luck
THANKS from Us ALL at the HABC [/glow]

Contact: Colin Brown.
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone] or mobile:
www.americanbulldogs.org.uk



A list of
American Bulldogs & their Owners
who have achieved theCGC AWARD
at our previous events ....

List of Dogs and Owners which passed this award:
~ in 2004 ~
Evaluator: Greg Souza

CHESTNUTS LITTLE CHEROKEE OF S.A.B.
Owned By: Chestnuts Little Indians
Handled by: Gesa Fenge

BLUEBLOODS AXEL OF S.A.B.
Owned by: Bluebloods American Bulldogs
Handled By: Colin Brown

SARGENT SLAUGHTER OF BOYD'S
Owned by: Rufford American Bulldogs
Handled By: Andrew Butler

POWERPLAYS BAD ASS BETTY OF S.A.B.
Owned by: Bluebloods American Bulldogs
Handled By: Tracy McAughey

CHESTNUTS LITTLE DREAMCATCHER AT CHURCHILLS
Owned by: Churchills American Bulldogs
Handled By: Glyn Andrew

CHESTNUTS LITTLE MAORI OF DAILEY
Owned By: Chestnuts Little Indians
Handled by: Gesa Fenge

RIBERS CHERRY ROUGE
Owned by: Craig Limb
Handled By: Craig Limb

BLUEBLOODS JOLEEN OF S.A.B.
Owned by: Bluebloods American Bulldogs
Handled By: Colin Brown

CHESTNUTS LITTLE COREE AT CHURCHILLS
Owned by: Churchills American Bulldogs
Handled By: Glyn Andrew

RAMBLING ROSIE
Owned by: Dominic Quigley
Handled By: Dominic Quigley

WHITEBULLS NIRVANA of RUFFORD
Owned by: Rufford American Bulldogs
Handled By: Andrew Butler

AKIKO of DREADNOUGHTS
Owned by: J. P Ashley
Handled By: J. P Ashley

CHESTNUTS LITTLE DAYA AT CHURCHILLS
Owned by: Churchills American Bulldogs
Handled By: Glyn Andrew

List of Dogs and Owners which passed this award:
~ in 2005 ~
Evaluator: Greg Souza


UK BRAVEHEARTS RUBY
(RUBY)
Handler: Stephen Scott

CHURCHILLS DAISY MAY
(LOTTIE)
Handler: Chris Tree

CHURCHILLS LITTLE OZZY
(Little Ozzy)
Handler: Simon Coxon

BLUEBLOODS DODGE
(DODGE)
Handler: Angela Tree

CHURCHILLS ROCKIN LAYLA
(LAYLA)
Handler: Sammy Andrew

CHURCHILLS ARIEL
(ICE)
Handler: Daniel Coxon

ALCATRAZ VOM DREADNOUGHT
(MR)
Handler: Dave Davis

DREADNOUGHTS CURE FOR ALL ILLS of SAB
(DOC)
Handler: Tony Byrne

SUNSTAR DUTCHBELTED of SAB
(DUTCH)
Handler: Tony Byrne

CHURCHILLS LILLYWHITE
(LILLY)
Handler: Nigel Reed

CHURCHILLS CURVY KATIE
(RUBY)
Handler: Nigel Reed

IKON VOM DREADNOUGHT
(IKON)
Handler: Jodie

AVANTI VOM DREADNOUGHT
(TILK)
Handler: Tony O’Reilly

DAVIS’S BRUISER BO of DREADNOUGHTS
(BO)
Handler: Dave Davis

BLUEBLOODS GRACIE
(GRACIE)
Handler: Johnny Birney

GSK’s ONE EYED JACK
(JACK)
Handler: Stephen Bacon

BIONIC's YUKON OF RUFFORDS
(YUKON)
Handler: Andrew Butler

UK BRAVEHEARTS WOODY
(WOODY)
Handler: Liz Scott

BLUEBLOODS CHICA
(CHICA)
Handler: Gareth Roberts


[glow=red,2,300] ~ CONGRATULATIONS ~
& thanks for supporting the breed [/glow]