AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

Graduation includes passing the following CGC test after training your dog using only positive motivational methods. It includes:

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger.

Test 2: Sitting politely for petting.

Test 3: Dogs reaction to a stranger’s examination or grooming.

Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose leash).

Test 5: Walking through a crowd.

Test 6: Sit and down on command and staying in place.

Test 7: Coming when called from 10 feet away.

Test 8: Reaction to another dog, handlers shake hands

Test 9: Reaction to distraction such as chair dropping, jogger etc

Test 10: Supervised separation, stranger holds your dog while you go out of site for three minutes

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy​

The AKC S.T.A.R. puppy program it is not a requirement to graduate, but we still provide the information and class demonstrations to help students understand the program and how you can implement it into your future business. 

S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility. To qualify, puppies need to fulfill the following:

— Free of aggression toward people.

— Free of aggression toward other puppies in class

— Tolerates collar or body harness of owner's choice

— Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)

— Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

— Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner

— Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)

— Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)

— Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away

— Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure

— Down on command-Owner may use a food lure

— Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called

— Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away

— Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

Tricks

Pet tricks are very popular with the general public, so we teach our students how to properly train a dog to perform pet tricks.  Any trick that a dog can perform we teach.

AKC Rally Obedience​

Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by a rally judge. It is not a requirement in order to graduate, but we do have instructions on rally obedience. We teach our students the fundamentals and how to prepare for AKC rally obedience and well as how to prepare their future clients' dogs.

The three levels of competition in AKC Rally are:

Novice is the first level for those just getting started in competition.

1. All exercises are performed with the dog on leash.

2. There is a requirement of 10-15 stations to complete with no more than five stationary exercises.

3. The exercises performed vary from turning 360 degrees to changing paces during the course.

4. Exhibitors at this level may clap their hands and pat their legs through the course.

Advanced is the second level, which includes more difficult exercises throughout the course.

1. All exercises are performed off-leash.

2. There is a requirement of 12-17 stations with no more than seven stationary exercises.

3. Exercises include a jump as well as calling your dog to the front of you instead of to a heel position.

Excellent is third and highest level of AKC Rally is the most challenging.

1. Exercises are performed off-leash except for the honor exercise.

2. There is a requirement of 15-20 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises.

3. Handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally. Physical encouragement is not allowed at this level.

4. The Excellent-level exercises include backing up three steps, while the dog stays in the heel position and a moving stand, while the handler walks around the dog.

The Doghouse Test

In order to achieve a certificate of graduation public clients of TRS boarding and grooming affiliate The Doghouse must pass the Doghouse test. TRS students must pass this test as well, typically within the first six weeks of school. It is performed completely off leash and normally tested inside. The exercises include:

— Off-leash heeling

— Sit and down on verbal command at the handlers side

— Stop, sit and stay as commanded from heeling

— Stop, down and stay while the handler continues to walk approximately 30 feet followed by calling the dog to come to the handler.