Has anyone had their dog CGC certified?

Question

I am thinking about getting one of my pugs certified so that he can do therapy work at our local children's hospital.
Has anyone done this? Can you give me any advice? He's only 6 months right now. I've spoken to two different trainers who say he can start training any time, but I feel he is still too young. Should I wait a while? I did his early basic training myself - sit, down, off, stay, roll over, shake, speak, 'get in your crate', leave it, etc etc. He is mostly very well behaved, but still has that hyperactive puppy-ness.
Suggestions?

Answer 1

In order for your dog to do therapy work at your local children's hospital, your dog would need to become a registered therapy dog, a CGC would not be enough to visit hospitals. He can not take the TDI test until he is at least a year old.
Training classes are very good for him because they will allow him to be around different dogs and people. A TDI dog must be well behaved and socialized.
Your dog will need to like all people old and young, it also can not be afraid of objects such as wheelchairs, walkers or canes. The dog should be confident, calm and not easily excitable or uncontrollable. The dog should know basic commands and should ALWAYS be willing to listen to you and in your control under all circumstances. The dog would have to be able to leave food when you tell him.
You can take the CGC at the same time you take the TDI because the test is comprised of the CGC and there are a few additional exercises that you would have to complete in order to pass the TDI. There are some training groups that offer training for the TDI test and you do not have to take the test til you feel you and your dog are ready, even if you do not pass the first time you can take it again. Here is a link for both TDI and Delta Society:
http://www.tdi-dog.org/tditesting.html
http://www.deltasociety.org/home.htm

Having a TDI dog is very rewarding, I currently have three TDI registered dogs and the people we visit look forward to us coming each week.

Answer 2

My 9 month old lab mix, Jenna got her CGC a couple of months ago. Downside to getting the certification that young, is there is still a lot of developmental things going on (most dogs have a fear period around 8 to 10 months of age and not to mention the "teenage" years). It's not bad to get it that young, but I would recommend having her tested again after 18 months.

Therapy work is wonderful. There are a variety of agencies to certify therapy dogs. The program I am familiar with is Pet Partners through the Delta Society. The dogs have to be 1 year old before they can start that particular class where I do my training at. The CGC title is required to join that class.

It is easier to train a young dog and help him through his developmental stages than it is to train him starting at an older age. I would probaly find out if the place you're going through has a higher level CGC class. My first official class with Jenna was "Distraction Proofing" (I had done a lot of training on my own at home) and that involved doing behaviors while playing musical chairs with cookies and toys all over the floor as well as longer down stays at a distance and things like that.

Answer 3

My dogs have their CGC certs. This isn't directly related to visiting hospitals but it is a part of the process.

The sooner you start training your dog, the better. CGC is basic obedience and manners. It doesn't have anything to do with Therapy work. That is determined by the association you work with to go to the various hospitals.

Training your dog to be a good citizen which is what Canine Good Citizen stands for can't start too soon. Teaching your dog to sit, walk nicely on a leash, heal, stay, not to jump and to listen to you should start now.

I'd get started now just like the trainer says. Tricks are cute but that's not what this is about. Get started and you'll see. It will also help with some of that hyperactive energy you are talking about. Giving a dog a job is always a good idea.

Answer 4

As an obedience instructor and certificied AKC CGC evaluator, I would agree that training can start any time. It sounds like you have a done a lot of the basics, my first question is has this training been done in your home or at a class. I ask because if the dog has been only home trained, there could be a challenge for him to listen when he's outside of his home turf. Enroll a local class, and definitely work with him now. The more training at an early age, the better.

Answer 5

My best friend went through this with her Golden and it's a very stringent process.

She waited until he was a year old and the "Puppy" part of him was *mostly* under control.

We worked with him a lot when he was younger, but this I can say with confidence - Work with a professional trainer that specializes in Therapy Work. Until he was involved with a specialized trainer, he was nowhere near ready for passing the certification test. Once he started with the specialized training program, he passed within 6 months and now, 5 years later visits nursing homes and children's hospitals at least 5 times per week.

The smiles he brings to both young and old are priceless : )

Answer 6

I haven't yet, but I plan to. I have no real reason for doing it for my dog (like therapy dog, insurance benefits, etc.), but it's just something to do for me. My dog trainer is a CGC evaluator, so I've gone through the test items for practice, but haven't done it for real yet.

It's pretty much just basic manners and socialization. You can take classes that focus on training for the test. Here are the test items:
http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm

And no, 6 months isn't too young to start training. I prefer to start training as soon as possible (after the appropriate vaccinations are given) when I get a puppy.
.

Answer 7

All of my dogs get a CGC and they all get it by the time they are 15 months. They enjoy it and it is easy and fun.
There are many places that have a class especially for the CGC.
Most communities, through the local kennel club, run a Responsible Dog Ownership Day, at which most hold a CGC test.

Answer 8

If your trainers say he can start anytime, then start anytime.

I had a husky that was certified. She had a tendency to be crazy at inopportune moments (typical husky). So instead of taking her to a hospital where she may act crazy at a bad time, we made visits to the juvenile detention center. She loved to "go see the kids" she could run around and act crazy with them and I didn't have to worry about someone with an injury being hurt. And the kids had a blast playing with her and telling me about their dogs.

I would suggest getting him certified as soon as possible, even if you don't do any work with him right away. Or consider something other than a hospital for his therapy visits. Some schools have a reading program where kids who have trouble with reading comprehension read out loud to dogs. It helps them feel comfortable reading and really improves their skills.

Good luck and have fun!!

Answer 9

I've taken several dogs through the CGC or equivalent tests (CGN (CKC)and CCGC (HABAC)). He's plenty old enough to start training, most of the requirements are pretty basic. It's just good behavior that ANY dog should be learning.

Answer 10

My dog is CGC certified. It had nothing to do with doing tricks. It is all about how your do reacts to situations. Look up the test online. It will tell you what your dog will need to do.
good luck.