AKC Training & Certification Program

Build Better Manners, Greater Confidence and a Stronger Bond With Your Dog

American Dog School offers a specialized training program designed to help dogs and their owners progress through several of the American Kennel Club’s most recognized training programs.

Whether you are beginning with a young puppy, working toward advanced public manners or preparing your dog for therapy work, our instructor will guide you through each step with practical, supportive training.

This program can help prepare your dog for:

• AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy

• AKC Canine Good Citizen

• AKC Community Canine

• AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen

• Therapy Dog Evaluation and Certification Preparation

Dogs of all breeds and mixes are welcome. Training focuses on building dependable real-world skills while strengthening communication and trust between you and your dog.

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AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy

Give your puppy the best possible start.

S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsibility. This introductory program helps owners establish good habits during one of the most important stages of a dog’s development.

Training may include:

• Appropriate puppy socialization

• Basic commands and leash skills

• Handling and grooming exercises

• Building confidence around people and other dogs

• Preventing common puppy behavior problems

• Responsible puppy care and ownership

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is an excellent first step for puppies and provides a strong foundation for future Canine Good Citizen training.

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AKC Canine Good Citizen

The AKC Canine Good Citizen program is designed to recognize dogs who demonstrate good manners at home and in the community.

Dogs work toward completing a 10-skill evaluation that includes practical behaviors such as:

• Politely greeting a friendly stranger

• Sitting calmly for petting

• Walking on a loose leash

• Walking through a group of people

• Coming when called

• Remaining calm around another dog

• Reacting appropriately to everyday distractions

• Staying calmly with a trusted person while the owner is out of sight

The CGC program is a valuable goal for family pets and is often an important foundation for advanced training, dog sports and therapy-dog work.

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AKC Community Canine

Take your dog’s good manners beyond the training room.

AKC Community Canine, also known as Advanced CGC or CGCA, evaluates a dog’s ability to demonstrate reliable manners in a natural community setting.

Training may include:

• Walking calmly through public areas

• Remaining under control around people and other dogs

• Waiting politely at doors and entrances

• Ignoring food and other distractions

• Sitting or standing calmly while the owner completes a task

• Demonstrating dependable behavior in everyday situations

This level is ideal for owners who want a well-mannered dog they can confidently include in more of their daily activities.

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AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen

The AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen program is designed for dogs who regularly encounter busy public environments.

Dogs are trained to remain calm, responsive and under control while navigating realistic urban situations.

Training may include:

• Crossing streets safely

• Walking on sidewalks and through busy areas

• Remaining calm around traffic and city noises

• Entering and exiting buildings appropriately

• Using stairs, elevators or other public features

• Passing other dogs and pedestrians

• Responding appropriately to unexpected distractions

• Demonstrating control in dog-friendly public locations

The Urban CGC evaluation builds upon established Canine Good Citizen skills and tests those skills in a real-world environment.

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Therapy Dog Preparation

Therapy dogs and their handlers volunteer together to provide comfort and companionship in settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and community programs.

Our therapy-dog preparation training focuses on the temperament, manners and handler skills commonly needed for therapy-dog evaluations.

Training may include:

• Calm and appropriate greetings

• Comfort around unfamiliar people

• Remaining relaxed during petting and handling

• Walking politely through crowded areas

• Ignoring food, medical equipment and other distractions

• Working around wheelchairs, walkers and mobility devices

• Remaining calm around unusual sounds and movements

• Building confidence in unfamiliar environments

• Strengthening communication between the dog and handler

Please note that therapy dogs are not service dogs and do not receive the same public-access rights as trained service dogs.

Therapy-dog certification is completed through an approved therapy-dog organization. American Dog School can help prepare you and your dog for the evaluation and explain the next steps in the certification process. After becoming certified through a recognized organization and completing the required volunteer visits, eligible teams may apply for AKC Therapy Dog titles.

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A Step-by-Step Training Journey

Each level builds upon the skills learned in the previous program:

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Early socialization, responsible ownership and basic puppy skills.

AKC Canine Good Citizen
Foundational manners and responsible behavior at home and in the community.

AKC Community Canine
Advanced manners demonstrated in everyday community settings.

AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen
Reliable behavior in active, public and urban environments.

Therapy Dog Preparation
Specialized training to help qualified dogs and handlers prepare for therapy-dog evaluation and volunteer work.

Your dog may begin at the level that best matches their age, experience, temperament and current training skills.

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Is This Program Right for Your Dog?

This program may be a great fit for you and your dog if you would like to:

• Improve your dog’s everyday manners

• Feel more confident taking your dog into public

• Strengthen your relationship with your dog

• Work toward an official AKC certificate or title

• Prepare your dog for advanced community activities

• Explore therapy-dog volunteer opportunities

• Continue training after completing a basic obedience class

Dogs will be evaluated to determine the most appropriate starting level. Participation does not guarantee that a dog will pass an AKC or therapy-dog evaluation. Success depends on consistent practice, the dog’s behavior and temperament, and the teamwork between the dog and handler.

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Train With a Purpose

Training is about more than passing a test. It creates dogs who are easier to live with, safer in the community and more confident in new situations.

At American Dog School, we help owners understand not only what to practice, but how to communicate clearly and successfully with their dogs. Our goal is to help you build skills that last long after the class has ended.

Start Your Training Journey

Contact American Dog School to learn more about upcoming classes, program requirements and how to determine the right starting level for your dog.

Spaces may be limited to provide each dog-and-handler team with appropriate instruction and support.