Canine Good Citizen Bronze

Tasks are to be taken and passed in any order. Dogs may be tested singly or in groups,

Test 1  Accepting a stranger:

Ignoring the dog the Evaluator greets the handler and shakes hands, and then touches the dog on the head, neck and body before circling the handler and the dog. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

Test 2  Present for examination on a lead

The handler presents the dog to the Evaluator who will then examine the dog, including a gentle examination of its mouth, teeth, throat, eyes, ears and feet. No agro or flinching.

Test 3  Care and responsibility

The dog will be inspected to see if it is healthy, clean and can be groomed without a struggle by the handler. The handler will be asked five (5) questions from Canine Good Citizen Puppy.

Test 4  Play with or without toy

The dog must show that it can be calmed easily after 10 seconds of play and excitement. The handler may praise the dog; play with a toy and/or its favourite trick. Dog must be calm soon.

Test 5  Walk on lead without distraction

The handler must show that he is in control. The dog’s attention must be on the handler during a course with a left turn, right turn, about turn and a stop in between. Talking by the handler is encouraged.

Test 6  Walk on lead, passing through a door or gate

The dog should walk confidently through the door or gate.

Test 7  Reaction to another dog

The test is to demonstrate the proper behaviour in the presence of other dogs. Two handlers starting ten (10) metres apart with dogs walk towards each other, meet, stop, shake hands, exchange a few words and continue. Neither dog should go to the other handler or dog.

Test 8  Walk on lead, passing people and dogs

The test is to show that the dog should have no difficulty walking through pedestrian traffic. The dog and handler must walk past at least 4 persons and 1 should have a dog.

Test 9  Reaction to a distraction

The task is to demonstrate the dog is confident at all times when facing a distraction e.g. a person on crutches, a walker or wheel chair or pram.  A jogger running past or a shopping cart etc.  The dog must not panic or try to run away or become aggressive etc.

Test 10               Release from lead, recall and attach lead

The handler will release the dog from the lead, walk seven (7) paces and then turn and recall the dog. The dog can be left in any position or be held by the Evaluator or an assistant.

Test 11               Stay in one place

The test is to demonstrate that the dog had some training and will respond to the handler’s cue. He will cue the dog to either ‘Sit’ or ‘lie down.’ The ‘stay’ command is then given and the handler shall walk forward for seven (7) metres. The total length of the stay will be a period of thirty (30) seconds. The dog must maintain its position until the handler returns, and the Evaluator ends the task.

Test 12               Supervised isolation

The dog must show that he can be left alone whilst maintaining its training and good manners. The dog will be attached to a lead of approximately two (2) metres. The dog does not have to stay in position but must not continually bark, whine, howl or show behaviour of agitation or nervousness. The handler may stay in sight or go briefly out of sight. The total length of time will be one (1) minute.

Test 13  Food manners

This is to demonstrate that the dog has good manners when aware of people’s food. The dog is taken, on a loose lead, in close proximity to some food. The dog should not unduly respond to this temptation (i.e. beg or steal) Liver bread or biltong should not be used.

Certificates and awards

Once all the tests have been completed and marked “Passed” and signed off the dog will be issued with a rosette and a numbered KUSA Canine Good Certificate.