AKC Testing
At Canine Compass, we are able to evaluate and test your dog for the Canine Good Citizen, S.T.A.R Puppy Program, Trick Dog, Urban CGC, Home Manners and Community Canine. We also offer private lessons and group classes to prepare for each of these tests.
Canine Good Citizen
Canine Good Citizen (C.G.C) is a series of 10 test items that are designed to demonstrate good manners and responsible ownership. Earning CGC certification helps dogs become well-behaved members of their communities and provides a strong foundation for future training in therapy work, advanced obedience, or other dog sports. Beyond improving your dog’s behavior and social skills, CGC certification can offer practical benefits such as increased acceptance in housing communities, dog-friendly public spaces, and social situations. It’s an excellent way to enhance your dog’s confidence, strengthen your bond, and ensure they are prepared to navigate the real world safely and responsibly.
S.T.A.R Puppy Program
S.T.A.R. Puppy Program (Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility) is an American Kennel Club initiative designed to give puppies and their owners a strong foundation for lifelong success. This program emphasizes positive training methods and focuses on essential developmental areas such as socialization with people and other dogs, mastering basic commands like sit, stay, and come, and building confidence in new environments. Participating in S.T.A.R. Puppy helps puppies grow into well-behaved, confident companions. It also strengthens the bond between owner and puppy, ensuring that training is a positive, enjoyable experience for both.
Community Canine
Community Canine builds on the foundation of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) skills. This program evaluates dogs in real-world, public settings, ensuring they remain calm, polite, and reliable around people, other dogs, and distractions. Community Canine training helps dogs become more confident, well-mannered companions in busy environments while promoting responsible ownership. It’s an important step for dogs preparing for therapy work, advanced obedience, or other specialized roles. The program also strengthens the owner-dog bond, socializes dogs in natural settings, and demonstrates a commitment to safe, courteous behavior in public. By helping dogs behave appropriately in everyday situations, Community Canine makes communities safer, more enjoyable, and more welcoming for everyone.
Urban Canine Good Citizen
Urban CGC is designed to test a dog’s manners and obedience in real-world city environments. Building on the foundation of the standard Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, Urban CGC evaluates how dogs handle distractions such as traffic, crowds, noises, and other urban challenges, ensuring they remain calm, polite, and responsive in busy public settings. It is important because it prepares dogs to navigate city life responsibly, strengthens the bond between owner and dog, and helps businesses and public spaces identify well-mannered, safe dogs. Certification provides tangible proof of advanced training and socialization, making dogs more welcome in dog-friendly businesses and contributing to safer, more harmonious communities.
Virtual Home Manners
Virtual Home Manners (VHM) program teaches and titles dogs in fundamental household behaviors such as polite greetings, leash walking, and sit/stay…all from the comfort of your home. The program offers two levels (Puppy and Adult) with progress evaluated through video submissions to certified Evaluators. VHM provides a strong foundation for socialization and serves as a stepping stone toward in-person AKC titles like Canine Good Citizen (CGC), helping dogs become better companions and easier to manage.
Trick Dog
Trick Dog recognizes dogs that learn and perform fun, entertaining behaviors(tricks), earning official titles along the way. This program provides a fantastic way for any dog, whether purebred or mixed, to engage in mental and physical exercise, build confidence, and strengthen the bond with their owner through structured, enjoyable training at home or in classes. Levels range from basic/novice tricks to advanced routines/elite, offering a clear progression for dogs and handlers of all skill levels.
The program is important because it enhances communication, prevents boredom, sets achievable goals, and celebrates the partnership between humans and dogs. Trick Dog training is accessible, fun, and rewarding for dogs and owners alike, fostering confidence, focus, and a lifelong love of learning together.