For dogs who are as sweet as can be, but a little shy around new people, this third task involving appearance and grooming for the Canine Good Citizen Test may be the most difficult. Other dogs may be so excited to meet people that the friendly stranger can’t get the dog to hold still long enough to attempt touching ears and paws.

Practicing for this portion of the test requires daily grooming, rewarding small steps toward progress, and a lot of patience.

Task #3: Appearance and grooming

The AKC description of this third test reads:

“This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner’s care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.”

The friendly stranger is not necessarily the CGC evaluator. If the CGC evaluator has a relationship with your dog, then they’ll recruit a friendly stranger who does not know your dog and watch that person interact with your dog.

According to the CGC Evaluator Guide, the evaluator looks for six main behaviors:

It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.
The Evaluator may give the handler specific instructions for handling the dog in a manner that ensures safety. For example, when the feet are to be handled, the Evaluator may request that the handler lift each leg. The Evaluator may request that the handler steady the dog’s head for checking the ears.
Another technique the Evaluator may use is to hold the dog’s head away with one hand and use the other hand to lift the foot.
While the handler may be asked to steady the dog’s head, lift a leg, etc., any dog requiring restraining so it can be examined should not pass the test. The key question for this test is, “Could a veterinarian or groomer easily examine the dog?”
Some dogs will wiggle or squirm when they are excited. Some squirming is acceptable, however, this should not be so excessive that the dog cannot be brushed.
The dog should not struggle (pull away with intensity) to avoid the brushing.

Watch the video below for a few quick demonstrations of how friendly strangers will handle your dog during the appearance and grooming portion of the CGC Test.

Disclaimer

Before you start reading the training tips, please remember I am not a professional dog trainer. I am a dog parent just like you who wants my dog living up to CGC expectations for being a well-mannered pup in public. I’ve pulled these tips from a variety of sources, including online videos, webinars, books, and dog obedience classes I’ve attended. I’ve used all of the tips I suggest, but not all of these ideas may be right for you or your dog.

If you’re serious about wanting your dog to be a good neighbor, you should absolutely 100% be working with a professional dog trainer. Read more about why working with a professional dog trainer is one of the best decisions you’ll make for you and your dog. Once you’ve found a professional dog trainer who understands you and your goals, then online resources can serve as helpful reminders and inspiration.

Practicing for Task #3

Think about how your dog behaves during vet visits.

Do the vet techs need ninja skills to hold your dog still for the vet to listen to chest sounds? If your dog squirms around or shies away from the vet techs excessively, then you probably have some practicing in your future for your dog to pass the third test for CGC.

Start as early as possible with handling

As soon as you bring your new puppy or dog home, begin a routine for handling him for appearance and grooming. Please note, if you’ve adopted a dog that you know may have issues with being handled, consult a professional dog trainer. Let a trusted dog trainer evaluate your dog and make suggestions specific to the needs of your new family member.

If your dog is more of a clean slate, then get him accustomed to handling. Notice if there are areas your dog does not like being handled or touched.

Begin trying different methods of handling your dog. Some suggestions:

Pick up one of his paws gently. Give him lots of soothing calm praise. See how he reacts to you handling his paw. You do not have to pick up all four in one practice session.
If your dog really does not like having his paw picked up, then feed him a few treats while you touch one paw. Feed more treats and touch his other paw. Slowly work up to lifting one paw at a time.
Teach your dog the simple trick shake/paw/greet for both paws. By making the touching of his front paws a fun trick, he learns something new and gets food rewards.
Make sure you’re also gently touching your dog’s ears too. Depending on your dog, cleaning their ears may be a frequent task for you.
If your dog is super sensitive about his ears, try giving him an ear massage. Make every touch a positive one.
Use a brush to gently mimic brushing him. If your dog doesn’t seem to mind brushing, start brushing those areas where he doesn’t mind being touched.
Daily brushing and handling is your goal, Work up to it. Heap on the praise and treats.
Try different kinds of brushes to see if he has a preference. While you may have to use a certain kind of brush to effectively brush him, you do not have to use that same brush on the CGC Test. If your dog likes a particular brush across his shoulders or back, use that one on the test because the friendly stranger will more than likely brush that part of your dog’s coat.
If your dog will be visiting a groomer to be clipped, buy a cheap electric toothbrush. The noise is pretty close to the sound of clippers. Turn the electric toothbrush on while your dog is in the same room. Depending on how skittish you think your dog may be, increase or decrease the distance between the electric toothbrush and your dog. Acknowledge the presence of the toothbrush by naming it and reward your dog’s calm reaction to the new noise with treats. In teeny tiny baby steps, gradually move the electric toothbrush closer to your dog.

Practice handling your dog at vet visits

Bring lots of high-value treats. Be generous with giving your dog treats as you enter the waiting room and exam room. Give treats to any staff who want to say hello to your dog. Don’t be surprised on a first visit, if several vet techs want to say hello to your friendly dog.

If your dog seems a little nervous, try some light training. Practice commands your dog knows well. If you have taught your dog shake/paw/greet, then let the vet and staff know. They’ll appreciate being able to handle your dog under the guise of a fun trick. Keep the treats flowing.

Ask your vet if you can stop by with your dog randomly. If the scale is somewhere easily accessible, you can always weigh your dog. By stopping by to pick up medication or just say hello, you’re giving your dog a chance to have more positive interactions at the vet’s office than negative ones.

Thoughts about finding a trusted vet, especially if you have no recommendations from friends or family: You may want to check the directory at Fear Free Pets. We’ve had one experience with a fear free clinic we visited while on a trip with our two dogs. We were so impressed with their care for Lizzie, we know that if we need to find any vet in the future, we’ll be using their directory.

Pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test blog graphic

Mimicking the test environment for handling

Once your dog gets used to you brushing him, picking up his front paws, and checking his ears, you do want to recruit other volunteers to handle your dog.

Make sure your dog trainer knows you’re practicing for CGC. During classes or visits with that trainer, if they see an opportunity to practice this skill, they can work it in.
Consider the order of the three tasks. You can try out different sequencing to see if your dog has a more positive interaction with a particular progression.
Consider your positioning during this part of the test. You’re allowed to kneel down and talk to your dog. You could also slip your hand under his collar in a supportive manner. You’re not allowed to physically restrain your dog, but if feeling your hand there brings him comfort, that’s okay.
Vary up your location. Don’t just train for the CGC Test at home. You want to help your dog transfer the knowledge and behavior he knows at home to other environments.
Invite friends over and meet at dog-friendly locations. When you’re first practicing, give your dog some time to feel comfortable around your friend. Then ask your friend if they’ll help you and your dog practice. Tell your friend what order to perform the three tasks, including helpful instructions:
- Use a soothing calm voice. Try to channel Morgan Freeman.
- If you ask for shake, he’ll give you his paw.
- Please let him smell the brush first. Then use a slow motion to brush his shoulders.
Ask friendly strangers if they want to shake your dog’s paw. Consider the instructions you need to give them to make this interaction successful.
You could also ask friendly strangers if they’d like to give your dog a little ear massage. I only ask friendly strangers who my dog leans into. If Bernie looks like he’s really liking a particular person, I’ll ask them if they could massage his ears to help with CGC preparation.
Once your dog can meet anyone and let them handle his paws and ears, a CGC Class will be worth your time. During class, your dog trainer will have different people approaching your dog to perform all three tasks.