Areas of Interest

AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

The purpose of the CGC program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community because it has been trained to be well- behaved in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. The CGC program welcomes both purebred and mixed breed dogs. The CGC test is non-competitive and dogs are not required to perform with the same precision that is necessary for formal obedience tests. Dogs that pass all 10 items of the CGC test are listed in the CGC records at the American Kennel Club. Owners of dogs that pass all 10 items on the test can order an official CGC certificate from the AKC.

Dogs and/or handlers with disabilities are encouraged to participate in the Canine Good Citizen testing.
Food is not permitted to be used during the CGC test.
All tests are performed on leash. Dogs should be wearing well fitting buckle, or slip collars, (including martingale collars) made of leather, fabric or chain. Special training collars, such as harnesses, pinch collars, or head collars are not permitted while taking the test.
The Canine Good Citizen test is offered at 2 of our locations, Boyd Community Center, and Lamberts Feed & Tack Store in Butler. Check out our Current Classes page for upcoming dates and tests.
Family Dog Obedience offers an additional incentive to handlers when acquiring their CGC. The regular test fee is $10. However, if you take the test with us and you do not pass, you will only be charged $5.00 If you take the test and do pass, you will be charged the full fee of $10. This allows students the opportunity to practice taking the test “just to see” what areas may need more work, with a more reasonable fee.

For more information about the CGC test, and its requirements, please visit the AKC website at www.akc.org, and search for “Canine Good Citizen.”

AKC Rally Obedience

Rally is a new addition to the dog sport world, and is a stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program to the world of obedience and/or agility training. Dogs and handlers move at their own pace through a predetermined course. Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of dog training and competition.

The course is laid out with signs that designate the specific activity that must be performed. A judge observes and follows the dog/handler team while scoring them. Some of the exercises are simple, such as have the dog sit, then lay down, then move to the next station. Others become more complex at higher levels, such as a variety of turns and about turns, a station that includes a jump, and even heeling backwards!

A typical Rally course includes 10 to 20 stations. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience competitions, and perfect heel position is not required.
Handlers are encouraged to communicate with their dog throughout the course.
Dogs must be purebred, or listed with the AKC’s Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP). Participating in Rally classes is a fun opportunity to get more involved with your dog, even if you don’t plan on competing!
Dogs must be 6 months of age or older to compete.

For more information about Rally Obedience, please visit the AKC website at www.akc.org and search for “Rally”

Agility for Fun

One of the fastest growing dog sports is Agility. Dogs and handlers negotiate an obstacle course racing against the clock. Participating in Agility classes and events demonstrates a dog’s willingness to work with its handler in a variety of situations. It is also an athletic event that requires conditioning, concentration, training, and teamwork. Agility began in England in 1978, and was patterned after Steeplechase horse racing events.

Dogs must be purebred in order to compete in AKC agility. However, there are other venues that offer Agility competitions for unregistered and/or mixed breed dogs.
Competitions are usually divided by jump heights, in order to make the events fair to all sizes of dogs, from Yorkshire Terriers to Irish Wolfhounds.
Family Dog Obedience offers a full Agility course training in the Butler location, and some of the more portable obstacles are introduced at Boyd Community Center. The obstacles are taught using correct safety measures to allow for you and you dog to have a good time. While there is no affiliation with any of the competition venues (AKC, NADAC etc.) you will learn proper form and techniques if you should desire to compete later. The main goal for offering Agility classes is to give handlers and dogs an opportunity to practice a fun event, that requires teamwork, communication between dog and handler, and foundational obedience skills - Agility is performed OFF LEASH!