The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program, established in 1989, is an American Kennel Club program to promote responsible dog ownership and to encourage the training of well-mannered dogs. A dog and handler team must take a short behavioral evaluation of less than half an hour; dogs who pass the evaluation earn the Canine Good Citizen certificate, which many people represent after the dog's name, abbreviating it as CGC; for example, "Fido, CGC".

Dogs do not have to be registered with the AKC to earn a CGC, nor do they have to be purebred or, in fact, registered with any canine organization. The goal is to promote good citizenship for all dogs. Since its inception, the CGC program has become the model for similar programs around the world, is the backbone of other exams, such as those given for therapy dogs, and is a good starting point for more advanced dog training.

The evaluation consists of ten objectives. All items must be completed satisfactorily or the team fails. Test items are:

Evaluator approaches and shakes hands with handler. Evaluator does not touch dog.

Evaluator pets dog; dog must show no shyness or resentment.

Evaluator inspects dog, combs or brushes lightly, examines ears and each front foot.

Handler takes dog for a short walk including right turn, left turn, about turn and stop.

Dog and handler walk close to several people; dog may show causal interest but not jump up.

Handler shows that dog can do both sit and down, then chooses a position, leaves dog and goes to the end of a 20 ft. line, and returns immediately.

With dog still on 20 ft. line from Test 6, handler walks out 10 ft. and calls the dog.

Two handlers and dogs approach, shake hands, exchange greetings, then move on. 

Distractions are presented; dog may not panic or show aggression.

Handler goes out of sight for 3-min. Dog is held on a 6-ft. leash by an evaluator.