Grand Champion AJ has also earned Obedience titles and the CGC award.
Yesterday we talked about setting training goals. Barbara Garceau of Chaplin, CT, is the proud owner of “AJ” who is known in the dog show world as GCH S.Xposur N Dynastys Chasin Neon Rainbows CD, RE. And that’s not all. AJ has also earned the Canine Good Citizen award.
The GCH in front of AJ’s name means Grand Champion. At the end of his name, CD is Companion Dog, which is a novice Obedience title, and RE means Rally Excellent.
What I find so exciting about a dog like AJ earning the CGC award is that he is a top winning show dog. His owner could have decided that conformation shows were the priority and AJ needed no further training. But Barbara didn’t decide that.
When she talked to us about AJ’s success, she described setting goals for him to be an all-around dog. Barbara was working with AJ in conformation, so her husband Dave trained him in Obedience and got the CD title (good move, Barbara!).
But then, Barbara set another goal. She decided she wanted to be able to show off what Dave taught AJ and she took him through CGC training and testing (and Rally).
Barbara not only advises puppy owners to set a goal of earning the Canine Good Citizen award, she sets a good example by achieving the goal herself.
AKC's Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Director, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
I agree Mary, as a professional dog trainer, I encourage all my clients to set the Canine Good Citizen test as a goal for their dog. It’s an excellent benchmark of good manners that is attainable by most dogs with some commitment and training. And, the results are beneficial not only for the dog but also the family as they now have a dog that can go more places with the family and participate in family outings.