Canine Good Neighbour

Why should you include obtaining a CGN in your training plan?

CGN is an acronym for the Canine Good Neighbour program administered by the Canadian Kennel Club. 

While it is a CKC supported program, your dog does not have to be purebred in order to participate. All mixes and breeds are welcome – and encouraged! – to join in the fun.

The CGN is a 12-step assessment created to promote responsible dog ownership. Upon completion, the assumption is that by passing, your dog has proven to be trained to a level in which they use good manners in public, around other people and other dogs.

CGN: 12 STEPS

The evaluation is expected to be performed in busy, public places, not quiet spaces so that your dog can prove its skills outside of a home-like environment. Rewards like toys and food are not permitted during the test, which can be a challenging thing to train for some, but it does help prove that your dogs can respond in situations where you may not have access to rewards outside of praising them.

CGN Evaluators are required to have extensive experience in training and handling various types of dogs, outside of their own personal ones. They are also expected to pass an evaluation of their own and provide professional references to backup their claims. Having standards and expecting evaluators to follow all rules for implementing a proper CGN test is important as it ensures the evaluations remain consistent no matter where you attend one. Letting things slide or not adhering to the exercises as outlined, diminishes the standards the assessment sets out to accomplish and therefore, the program risks losing credibility with the public.

Each step receives a rating of either “Pass” or “Not Ready”. Dogs who earn a passing grade on all 12 exercises will have completed the evaluation successfully and will receive a certificate from CKC stating that their dog has proven to be a good neighbour and can add the suffix “CGN”
to the end of their name.

A “Not Ready” rating might be received for several reasons: a step is not completed accurately, the dog reacts shyly or fearfully, lunges and barks excessively. These are just a few examples. This score does not indicate that the dog is bad or cannot become a good neighbour. It’s simply an indication that they are not ready at THIS MOMENT and would benefit from some additional training or exposure. One not ready score will result in a non-passing evaluation, but teams are strongly encouraged to continue training and try again at a later time. 

Prep sessions offered by training clubs are a great way to get out and pre-test your skills. However, if that’s not an option due to your schedule or class availability, have no fear and head out to your local pet or hardware store that allows dogs inside the building. You can practice most of the exercises on your own in a busy environment, just remember to take an extra-long leash with you for any distance exercises, as you want to maintain contact with your dog at all times to be safe. Getting your dog out in these types of environments isn’t just good practice for the CGN or other obedience sports, it’s also great for general socialization training. 

CGNs should be performed by the owner of the dog and not a handler, as per the rulebook. Any owners with health conditions or impairments are welcome to participate as well. Exercises can receive minor adjustments at the judge’s discretion to aid owners, as long as the dog performs the exercise.

Is your dog ready to give it try? 

• Dogs must be at least 12 months or older.
• Provide proof of up-to-date vaccines and any locally required dog licenses.
• Understand and perform basic obedience commands.
• Remain calm in various social situations.

CGN evaluations do not expire and are valid for the life of the dog who achieves it. However, that doesn’t mean your training should stop there. You should always be adding new challenges to your training for your dog’s sake as well as your own. Keeping them engaged with activities that provide mental and physical stimulation is beneficial to their overall well-being. So teach them a new trick, an advanced obedience skill, or a brand-new sport.

Training is supposed to be fun, for the dog and human, no matter what you’re preparing for. So set aside some time, take a deep breath and enjoy the journey with your furry pal.