GOT YOUR BACK K9 LIFE
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
AKC CGC
American Kennel Club
Obedience Titles
AKC Family Dog
The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen obedience and sport titles now fall under the umbrella of certifications referred to as the The AKC Family Dog Program. These titles are open to all dogs regardless if your canine is AKC registered or not.* These titles are marks of achievement recognizing consistent, responsible training and care given by the owners, and something of which to be proud! Whether you desire to participate just for fun, or to earn the certifications needed to join our Service Dog Training program, these titles are certainly worth obtaining. We have several AKC Certified Instructors/Evaluators available. Recipients of these titles receive a ribbon from our evaluators and the opportunity to receive a certificate from the AKC upon completion. Other items to commemorate these titles can be purchased on the AKC Shop. Classes and evaluations are scheduled regularly. Please contact us to learn more.
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*With the exceptions of the S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen titles, dogs that do not have an AKC number can still earn all these titles, but to have them acknowledged by The AKC, an AKC Purebred Alternative Listing number or an AKC Canine Partners number must be obtained. Please visit the links to learn more.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
The foundational program in the AKC Family Dog Program is the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.
​"S.T.A.R." is an acronym for "Socialization - Training - Activity - Responsibility". Puppies who participate in our Puppy Conditioning classes will learn all the necessary skills to earn this title. Interested owners may opt to have the American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluation administered for an evaluation fee.
AKC Canine Good Citizen
The AKC Canine Good Citizen title (or AKC CGC, or simply the CGC) is a program that was created by the AKC to foster better canine partner relationships. By encouraging owners to go beyond just the basics, and instill confidence and good manners in their canines, the results yield a trusting partnership and a pet that is a good neighbor in both the home and it the community. Upon completion of the Basic Obedience course, all canine partners should be able to earn this title. The evaluation is included in the enrollment fee, so it is available at no additional cost to you; however, there is a fee payable to the AKC to register the title. The AKC CGC is a prerequisite for earning the AKC Community Canine title and the Urban CGC, as well as for being accepted into our Service Dog Training program or Personal Protection training. The skills evaluated in this program provide a solid foundation for additional activities such as Advanced Obedience, agility, Detection, and Protection. Evaluation dates are listed in the Calendar of Events. Please RSVP to let us know you will be participating.
AKC CGC Ready
Most of the Available Dogs that we offer will come with a certification titled CGC Ready; this means the canine has been taught the basic obedience skills necessary to pass the Canine Good Citizen evaluation. Because the title recognizes the work of the canine partnership, the owner or handler must complete the evaluation to earn the title together. The cost of the evaluation is included in the adoption fee, however, there is a fee payable to the AKC to register the title.
AKC Community Canine
For those who wish to obtain an advanced title, the AKC Community Canine, also known as the Community CGC or the CGCA, is available. The Basic Obedience skills that were mastered in a structured class setting are now executed in a busier community setting. The AKC CGC is a prerequisite to earn this title. Canine partners that plan to enroll in the Service Dog Training program will be required to earn a Community Canine title. There is an evaluation fee for this service, as well as a fee payable to the AKC to register the title.*
*Dogs that do not have an AKC number can still earn all these titles, but to have them acknowledged by The AKC, an AKC Purebred Alternative Listing number or an AKC Canine Partners number must be obtained. Please visit the links to learn more.
AKC Urban CGC
Canine partners that are always on the go will benefit from participating in the training required to earn the AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen title, also know as the Urban CGC or CGCU. Similar to the Community Canine, the skills learned in Basic Obedience will be executed for a longer duration and with more distractions in an even busier environment. The evaluation includes a Public Access test that serves as a guide to determine whether or not a canine is ready to have public access if Service Dog Training is going to be pursued. Obtaining this title does NOT make your canine a service dog, therapy dog, or emotional support dog in any way, shape, or form. It is both unethical and illegal to misrepresent a pet as a specifically trained service dog for a person with a disability! The purpose of this advanced training program is to expose potential working dogs to everyday environments to present many opportunities to experience a vast variety of scenarios while having them under complete control, exhibiting the proper well-mannered obedient behavior that is required of a working canine. A CGC is a pre-requisite to earn this title. Canine partners that plan to enroll in the Service Dog Training Program will be required to earn an Urban CGC title. There is an evaluation fee for this service, as well as a fee payable to the AKC to register the title.* Evaluation dates are listed in the Calendar of Events. Please RSVP to let us know you will be participating.
*Dogs that do not have an AKC number can still earn all these titles, but to have them acknowledged by The AKC, an AKC Purebred Alternative Listing number or an AKC Canine Partners number must be obtained. Please visit the links to learn more.
Trick Dog
The challenge of teaching your canine different tricks is a great way to exercise both your bodies and minds! The AKC offers 5 different Trick Dog titles, from novice to elite performer. There are videos online detailing how to teach each trick, as well as a list of tricks to attempt. No canine is too big or too small to have fun and learn new tricks. There is an evaluation fee for each level, as well as a fee payable to the AKC to register each title.*
*Dogs that do not have an AKC number can still earn all these titles, but to have them acknowledged by The AKC, an AKC Purebred Alternative Listing number or an AKC Canine Partners number must be obtained. Please visit the links to learn more.
Fit Dog
The Fit Dog program acknowledges those who are committed to walking with their canine partners on a regular basis. This very basic form of exercise is a safe (for most) activity that yields many health benefits, and as dog owners, it is a very integral part of our daily lives! This is a program you can complete on your own, or join together with other owners and handlers to make it a fun and healthy ongoing group activity.