While sit, down, and stay are basic commands that every dog should know for the Canine Good Citizen Test, practicing these commands can start feeling quite repetitive. If you need ideas for adding some variety to your training sessions while gradually increasing the difficulty level for your dog, then read on.

Sometimes finding crowds of people to practice walking around may seem elusive. If you’re preparing for the Canine Good Citizen Test though, you need to find the right size crowd for your dog. Not too big. Not too small. Just right. Keep reading for ideas on where to find different sized crowds, but also how to manage your dog safely through those crowds.

Teaching your dog how to walk politely on a loose leash takes concentrated effort and patience. Once you’ve got the basics down, though, finding ways to challenge yourself and your dog as you practice this core craft can be difficult. Read on for our best tips for honing your loose leash walking skill or the Canine Good Citizen Test.

During the Canine Good Citizen Test, a friendly stranger touches your dog only twice. After meeting your dog and petting him, the friendly stranger then must pick up his front paws, touch his ears, and brush him. For some dogs that brief contact is still too much. If you need some ideas for helping your dog grow more accustomed to being handled, keep reading for specific CGC training tips.