The Canine Good Citizen programme is designed to teach

you and your dog valuable practical exercises. While not

as "formal" as the classic obedience classes, the CGC

programme still requires precise obedience, but within a

more realistic context. These courses are ideal for those

looking to train their dog to be a reliable steady

companion in domestic scenarios.

All the CGC levels incorporate typical domestic obedience situations - from meeting a stranger (Bronze) to an out of sight stay (Gold). There are three incremental levels - Bronze, Silver and Gold. We suggest that the dog and handler complete the Elementary Beginner obedience course prior to enrolling in the Bronze CGC. Hundreds of dogs have achieved the various levels of CGC at McKaynine over the years and we consider this one of our proudest achievements - domestic manners is where it’s at! Bronze CGC This level aims to produce a dog that will walk and behave in a controlled manner on the lead, will stay in one position on command, will allow its owner to clean, groom and inspect it. The dog must also be able to be positioned by its handler for inspection i.e. stand, sit or lie down on either side or on its back, all on lead. The dog must come to hand when called.  The final test is non-competitive but the examiner must be satisfied that dogs are worthy of passing. In order that it be meaningful the testing is carried out rigorously. A rosette will be awarded when the required standard has been achieved. Silver CGC This level aims to build upon the skills learned in the Bronze Award whilst increasing the level of difficulty. The Silver Award is a natural progression of practical dog training skills and introduces new concepts such as the Controlled Greeting, Road Walk and Vehicle Control exercises which are important in everyday life situations.  The test is non-competitive but the examiner should be satisfied that dogs are worthy of passing. A rosette will be awarded when the required standard has been achieved. At the start of each training course, in addition to the description, handlers should be given a copy of the Canine Code and Responsibility & Care sheet. The test is performed at the end of the course. Gold CGC This is the highest level of good citizenship and builds upon the skills learned in the Silver Award. The Gold Award is a natural progression of practical dog training skills and introduces new concepts such as Relaxed Isolation, Stop the Dog and Send the Dog to Bed exercises, which are important in everyday life situations. Most of the test is performed at a public venue - as shown above - thus testing the dog and handler's abilities within a very challenging environment. The test is non-competitive but the examiner should be satisfied that dogs are worthy of passing. A rosette will be awarded when the required standard has been achieved. At the start of each training course, in addition to the description, handlers should be given a copy of the Canine Code and Responsibility & Care sheet. The test is performed at the end of the course. Contact us at info@mckaynine.co.za for details of courses.