Last Saturday, I went to a local park to take a walk. The center of the park has a large lake that is surrounded by a sidewalk. The many geese and ducks who live at the lake are people and dog savvy. They know when it’s time to get into the water to avoid a pesky dog or unruly child.
Sunny days bring families who have picnics, children who feed the ducks, and many people who walk around the lake with their dogs. It’s the perfect real-world setting for observing Canine Good Citizen behaviors.
I took my place on a bench and watched about 30 dogs and their owners in the course of an hour. The most common CGC skills (or lack of) that I saw were:
* walks on a leash (many untrained dogs pulled)
* meet a distraction dog (some dogs lunged on the leash)
* meet a friendly stranger (plenty of people ask, “May I pet your dog?”)
* walks through a crowd (passing by small groups of people on the sidewalk)
I never once on that day saw anyone telling their dog to sit, down, come or stay. Although these skills are a part of every well-educated canine’s repertoire, they don’t seem to be used on walks by the average pet dog owner.
What would you identify as important community skills for dogs?
AKC's Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Director, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
I think one of the prime skills is for the owner to recognize that, even though his/her dog plays nicely with a variety of other dogs, not every dog s/he meets on a walk feels the same. A few days ago I met a nice young woman with her dog, which she cheerfully introduced as “excessively friendly” as it pulled toward my (large, young and excitable) dog and me. I declined to allow them to come really close, not because it looked like there was trouble brewing in an aggressive way, but because I am working hard to teach my dog that meeting another isn’t a signal for a wild game. I’m too old to have to worry about being knocked to the pavement by two dogs in play mode, who in the final analysis may or may not decide they want to be friends. I much prefer a pleasant greeting as we calmly pass on the street.
Well, at least you saw dogs on leash. In my town in California, many owners let their dog off leash even though signs are posted everything that dogs must be on leash. This poses a real risk to leashed dogs when a group of dogs rushes to a leashed dog.
Attention attention attention If an owner can get, and keep, their
dogs attention when it is distracted, none of the Bad stuff, pulling to get to another dog, barking at strangers, jumping on strangers, etc would happen.
to not be overly assertive in their ‘meet n’ greet’ approach; with a large breed I prefered to put my dog in a ‘sit’ for introductions to ‘frieindly strangers’; my smaller breed now I don’t allow them to jump up on people/other animals, but don’t require that they ‘sit’ every time – it’s an ‘option’ that is rewarded when offered, but isn’t always mandatory. Just be civil, polite and ‘do unto others’ always works!
Everyone should work the CGC skills in every day life. I started a once a month Pawsitive Pack Walks, it was free and limited to 6 dogs. After viewing some bad behavior from both dogs and humans, I thought I would turn this into an 8 week class. Public Social Pet Training. It’s open to any dog who is UTD with shots and knows how to sit, watch me and target. We pick a different location every 2 weeks and work on the CGC skills out in public places and so much more! Along with the CGC skills we work on staying calm around other dogs, babies, wheelchairs, and more. I have been doing this for over a year and I can tell you this has made a big difference in the dogs and humans life! Just today in class my student told me that their neighbors asked if that was the same barking, jumping jack dog? It works and it’s fun! “Cheers”
A dog is a work in progress — IF you can get the owner to join in– great concept — especially in a demographic area where ‘everybody’ walks their dogs — in our area we are limited to the ‘downtown/historical’ area, and a couple of residential areas for this kind of ‘work’ – but i applaud your approach – kool idea!
I’m in the Southwest Florida area, it’s most dog friendly here, many places to go. It also helps that Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops (if you have these stores, check into it) and other local owned stores welcome dogs of every size and breed, along with parks and outdoor malls. The area is seasonal, I have morning weekday classes along with Saturday mornings. Thank you so much Kathryn! “Cheers”
LEAVE IT is a good one for me – my dog is a bit too keen on casual dining.
Also, I live in an apartment, so lots of indoor barking is not cool. I trained her to stop barking at the hoover and hair dryer, which is good for me, and also my neighbours.
BUDGE UP allows me to get in bed at night, but that’s mostly for me!
(she doesn’t give a paw or any of that stuff)
Michele, that is a wonderful idea. I have been thinking of offering something similar. Being in Northern Wi, it too, would have to be seasonal, But we could certainly include it in the CGC class, have one or two in town. My place is out of town.
Chris, I say do it! Including the CGC program in my Public Social Pet classes and advanced manners classes is the best thing I did! Some take the test at the last class, some say, “We will take more training sessions so we can get better”
The Public Social Pet has taken off these last two years, we always end up with an audience watching us! 
Like we say in the Theatre, “Leave them wanting more” 
“Cheers”
Michele ~
It is so amazing that you mention that people don’t train while on a walk. I love to show off my dog’s skills and will often train during distractions at various times and places. I have her sit/stay as people/dogs pass us or before she can be patted. When walking through the neighborhood, I have her sit as cars pass. I have her down/stay, then I walk 10-12 feet (even during distractions) and give the come command at which time she will run and sit at my feet. I always carry a clicker with me to reinforce training (it is attached to her leash with a split ring). I don’t always carry treats but I pour on lots of praise. As a result of regular training in irregular places, my dog does well during distractions. And yes, my 6 pound chihuahua/terrier mix passed her CGC exam with ease.