From Canine Good Citizen To Trick Dog, AKC Family Dog Is For YOU!

Whether your purebred or mixed-breed dog is an aspiring Canine Good Citizen, Trick Dog, or just a beloved companion, the AKC Family Dog Program is for you!

Did you know that with less than $50 and 30 minutes a day, your dog can be a champion AKC Family Dog?

In fact, in most cases, it will take less time and be completely FREE!

AKC Family Dog is a relatively new comprehensive good manners program for all dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed. While participating in activities that are enjoyable for both dogs and people, dogs become well-socialized and develop a lifelong loving relationship with their owners.

Within the AKC Family Dog Program, there are ten different challenges or tests – you get to choose which one(s) you want to participate in.  

While most of these tests are done in person, there are now two that are allowed to be submitted via video, AKC Trick Dog and the AKC Puppy & Adult Virtual Home Manners.  

When your dog passes one or more of these tests, they will be awarded a title and sometimes a ribbon with the option of including title designations after your dog’s name.  

Imagine your Basset Hound, Squanto, proudly displaying his accomplishments:  Seger’s Silly Squanto, CGCA, CGCU, ATT, TKN, FITB, VHMA, THD.  

Wow!! That is one impressive little hound! 

You may be asking, “What do the initials after a dog’s name mean?”  

That is what we are going to cover in this post.  I want to share with you the plethora of opportunities you have to participate and win titles with your dog through the AKC Family Dog program.  

If you have a mixed-breed dog there is one additional step you will need to take to participate in the AKC Family Dog program, but it’s super simple and takes just a few minutes. 

We will cover all of those details shortly. 

Let’s start now with a brief overview of each of the challenges or tests within the AKC Family Dog Program. 

AKC Family Dog Title Programs

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is designed to help you and your puppy get off on the right paw toward responsible dog ownership in four foundation areas of life: Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility.  

Before earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy title, you and your puppy will take a 6-8 week in-person puppy class with an AKC-approved evaluator. 

During these puppy classes, you will get answers to all of your questions on a range of topics including housebreaking, chewing, coming when called, etc., and have a plethora of opportunities to practice what you are learning.

These puppy classes are a terrific opportunity for socialization with new people and other dogs at an age when your puppy needs it most!

At the end of the 6-week class, your puppy will be given the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test.  This test consists of signing the Canine Good Citizen® Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge and passing a 20-item test.  Once they pass, you can submit your application for enrollment into the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.

Once accepted, you will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal and a beautiful framable certificate among other perks. 

In addition to being a terrific way to socialize your puppy and earn an impressive AKC title, the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is the perfect precursor to our next challenge, Canine Good Citizen.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill in-person test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to the owners.

All dogs of all ages can participate in the Canine Good Citizen program. 

Unlike the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program, Canine Good Citizen does not require a class before taking the test. 

You have a few more options with CGC.  You can teach your dog the 10 CGC skills yourself, work with a CGC trainer, or attend a CGC training class where the test is given at the end of graduation.

With Sulley, I chose the latter.  We attended a two-day class where, at the end, Sulley easily passed his CGC test.  

There are specific requirements for each of the 10 items, so you will want to read the full guide to ensure you and your dog are adequately prepared.  

If you are choosing the DIY option, you will need to find an approved AKC CGC Evaluator to take you through the test. 

If your dog passes the CGC test, the evaluator will sign off and you can order an official CGC certificate.  If your dog has an AKC, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number (more on these in a minute), he/she can be awarded an official title. 

Titles are listed on the dog’s title record and the suffix “CGC” may be used after the dog’s name.

AKC Community Canine (CGCA)

For dogs that are super over-achievers, once your dog has passed his CGC test, he can take one of two advanced Canine Good Citizen tests.  

The first is the AKC Community Canine or CGCA.  

Unlike the CGC test which is often taken in a controlled environment, the CGCA test is taken in public – i.e. the real world. 

As you can see, many of these items are very similar to those on the CGC test, however, when done in a real-world public setting with people and other dogs, the difficulty increases. 

The CGC and CGCA tests can be taken on the same day.  The AKC just asks that you mail both title applications together so they can award the CGC first. 

Again, the CGCA title is open to any dog of any age with an AKC number (AKC registration number, PAL number, or AKC Canine Partners number).  

AKC Urban CGC (CGCU)

Like the CGC and CGCA, the AKC Urban CGC is a public access test that demonstrates dogs are well-behaved and well-trained when in public settings.  The test itself includes traffic, crowds, noises, smells, and other distractions that are present in a city or urban area. 

Again, this test can be taken on the same day as the CGC and CGCA tests, so if you live in a city, why not?  If your dog can pass the CGCA test in a real-world setting, they will crush this one! 

Keep in mind, that passing any of the CGC tests does not make a dog a service dog or emotional support dog.  While the AKC CGC titles are fantastic achievements and no less impressive, they aren’t the same thing. 

A key distinction of service or emotional support dogs is that the owner/handler has a disability.  

I will be taking Sulley through the AKC Community Canine and AKC Urban CGC in the next few months, so stay tuned to Big Dog Mom on YouTube where I will be sharing it all!  

Wish us luck!!

AKC Trick Dog (TKN, TKI, TKA, TKP, TKE)

The next title opportunity within the AKC Family Dog program is the AKC Trick Dog.

There are 5 levels of Trick Dog titles and I believe all 5 can be done either in person or via video from your home. 

All dogs (purebreds and mixed breeds) are eligible to compete, but they must have an AKC, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number to earn a title.

Like the other titles within the AKC Family Dog Program, AKC Trick Dog titles are official AKC titles listed on the dog’s title record.

With the details out of the way, let’s go through what is required for each of the Trick Dog titles…

Starting out you will go for the AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN) title.

At this level, your dog will perform 10 skills from the AKC Novice Trick Dog list.

If your dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, they can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the TKN title. In other words, while the CGC is not required, having it takes the place of 5 of the tricks they would have otherwise had to perform.

Sulley crushed the 5 tricks he needed to do for this title (see the video below to watch him in action), so I’m thrilled to announce that he now has his TKN title, proving your dog is never too old to learn new tricks!

Once your dog has been awarded his Novice Trick Dog title, he can move on to the AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) followed by Advanced Trick Dog (TKA). 

With both TKI and TKA your dog will have to perform 10 new tricks from a list provided by the AKC.  2 of these tricks can be determined by the owner. 

Here are the lists of tricks for each of these more advanced Trick Dog titles:

AKC Intermediate Trick Dog

AKC Advanced Trick Dog

The highest two levels of Trick Dog are called Performer (TKP) and Elite Performer (TKE).  

At the Performer level, owners perform a short routine with at least 10 tricks with at least 3 of those tricks using props. Click here for the list of possible tricks you can do at this level.

Finally, in the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script incorporating 10 tricks with at least 5 of them using props.

You may think achieving the ranks of TKP or TKE is impossible, but I have seen many giant breed dogs, including several adult Mastiffs, rise to these levels with relative ease.

With patience and commitment, and a whole lot of excitement and treats, I believe any dog of any age can do it!

AKC Therapy Dog (THDN, THD, THDX, THDD, THDS)

Whether they’re working with a child who is learning to read, visiting a patient in a hospital or a senior in a nursing home, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people.

A dog can provide a valuable sense of reassurance, joy, or calmness to people experiencing stressful, lonely, or depressing situations in their lives.

If you think your dog would be a great fit for therapy work, you need to contact a recognized therapy dog organization who can test your dog and offer a qualifying certification.

Once certified, you can apply for your AKC Therapy Dog title.

The title itself will depend on how many therapy visits you have completed. For example, if you and your dog have completed 10 visits, you would apply for the AKC Therapy Dog Novice (THDN) title. 50 or more visits get you the AKC Therapy Dog (THD) title, and at 100 visits the AKC Therapy Dog Advanced (THDA) title, etc.

There are three more levels above that including the AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX) (200 visits), AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished (THDD) (400 visits), and AKC Therapy Dog Supreme (THDS) (600 visits) titles.

Like the other titles within AKC Family Dog, all dogs are welcome to participate, no matter the breed, size, or age.

After my parents got divorced and we moved into a small apartment the biggest dog I was allowed to have was a 7-pound miniature dachshund named Dink, who was given to me by my aunt. When my great-grandmother was put in a nursing home, we would take Dink to visit her once a week.

While Dink was far from being a certified therapy dog, she was very calm and gentle. The nursing home staff and residents loved her. I would walk around with Dink and visit with as many residents as I could, witnessing how they would come alive when they pet her.

Dink would never have won in a dog show. While I was able to teach her quite a few tricks, most people who knew her questioned her intelligence. And at 2-3″ off the ground, she wasn’t going to win any agility titles.

Fortunately, the AKC has created the Family Dog for even dogs like Dink. I have no doubt she could have earned her THDS just by being her cute, sweet self and bringing joy to people’s lives.

AKC Fit Dog (FITB, FITS, FITG)

I have been a broken record on the importance of physical fitness, so forgive me for taking yet another opportunity to share it.

Physical fitness is important for dogs and people, with walking the most commonly recommended form of exercise.

It makes sense. Walking is a relatively easy and safe exercise for most people and dogs that improves muscular strength, circulation, memory, weight loss, increases energy, helps with sleep, and reduces stress.

The American Heart Association recommends walking at least 150 minutes per week, or roughly 21 minutes daily. Sulley is a 9.5-year-old Mastiff and he and I try to get out for at least 25-30 minutes every day.

The AKC Fit Dog title is a formal way of recognizing your commitment to your dog’s physical and emotional fitness.

There are three levels to the AKC Fit Dog, Bronze (Novice – FITB), Silver (Intermediate – FITS), and Gold (Advanced – FITG) with an increasing number of points required at each level and within at least two of the following categories.

• AKC FIT DOG Course (6 weeks of classes, many online options)
• Runs (community runs/walks such as a Turkey Trot, Spring Scurry, etc.) – 1 of at least 1 mile
• Walks and hikes (Independent or Group)
• Unique to You and Your Dog (e.g., swimming, Parkour, other)
• AKC title that is fitness-related (e.g., FAST CAT, agility, herding, field trial, rally, obedience, tracking, etc)
• AKC Parent Club Performance Titles (e.g., pack dog, sledding, carting, draft dog, etc)

Sulley and I are still working on his Fit Dog titles.

He has more than enough independent walks, but we are working on fulfilling one of the other categories to earn his FITB title.

Fortunately, the AKC is very generous when it comes to the requirements to fulfill each of the categories, making the AKC Fit Dog title one of the easiest ones to earn for nearly any dog or puppy.

AKC Temperament Test (ATT)

For many dogs, their journey of formal temperament testing doesn’t end at 8 weeks or with the CGC test.

The AKC Temperament Test (ATT) was developed to provide an accurate and more extensive way to assess the temperament of our canine companions.

During the ATT, dogs are tested in 6 categories of stimuli that include:

• Social
• Auditory
• Visual
• Tactile
• Proprioceptive (motion)
• Unexpected stimulus

Evaluators will be looking for a dog that is emotionally stable, inquisitive, cooperative, appropriately social for its breed, docile, and demonstrates the ability to bounce back from a startling situation relatively quickly.

Alternatively, dogs who exhibit fear, shyness, lack of cooperation, an inability to recover from unfamiliar or unexpected situations, being afraid of friendly strangers or unfamiliar stimuli, obsessive barking, or aggression will not be awarded their ATT title.

All dogs must pass the ATT on two occasions, under two different evaluators to apply for the AKC Temperament Test (ATT) suffix title.

Here is a terrific video showing the ATT in action.

If you are interested in taking your dog through the ATT, you have a few options.

Often you will find AKC Temperament Tests at AKC club events like conformation dog shows or trials. Or you can contact a local AKC Obedience or Rally judge or a certified CGC Evaluator.

AKC Fetch (FITN, FITI, FTA, FTR)

If you have a Labrador retriever or a dog who retrieves like one, AKC Fetch may just be your jam!

AKC Fetch provides a unique opportunity open to all breeds that will challenge even the best retrievers and reward them for doing what they love most.

There is a lot that goes into the actual AKC Fetch events, so I will simply summarize the program.

A dog must pass each test level twice to be able to apply for an AKC Fetch dog title.

The four test-level titles offered are Novice (FTN), Intermediate (FTI), Advanced (FTA), and Retriever (FTR).

Using a ball, a bumper, or a toy, you will throw the item through a series of distractions and ask your dog to “Fetch It.” The dog is supposed to run and get the item and bring it back to you. At the Novice level, the dog will do three single retrieves to pass the test.

At the Intermediate level, the dog will do four retrieves at a further distance with many more distractions. Again, with the requirement that the dog return the item to you (presumably without destroying it or laying down to chew it as would be the case in my home).

If you find the Novice and Intermediate levels too easy for your dog, you may be ready for the Advanced and Retriever levels which are far more involved. If this is you, kudos!

My Labrador Burton would have excelled as a Fetch Dog, but unfortunately, my Mastiffs have been less than reliable on the return part of the retrieve, which is naturally 50% of the test.

If your dog loves playing fetch, and actually returns the toy to you, this AKC Family Dog title is for you!!

AKC Puppy & Adult Virtual Home Manners (VHMA, VHMP)

Lastly, the AKC offers a wonderful title opportunity to recognize basic home manners for all pet dogs.

This one is done 100% virtually through video submission.

The Virtual Home Manners test assesses ten skills that well-mannered pet dogs (and puppies) need in the home setting.

The skills relate to the dog owner having control over the dog, grooming, basic door manners, being able to walk the dog without being pulled, and developing a bond with the dog during playtime.

With my daughter filming Sulley and I doing each of the 10 exercises, it took about 15 minutes total to get all of the footage I needed. After filming, I pieced the clips together (which sounds complicated, but it’s easy to do on any modern smartphone or computer) and submitted the final video to my friend who is a CGC Evaluator.

I’m thrilled to announce that Sulley has also earned his AKC Adult Virtual Home Manners title as well! Watch Sulley go through the test in the excellent video below.

Mixed Breed Dog? No Problem!

If you have a mixed-breed dog (doodle owners, this is for you), AKC has a unique program that allows you and your dog to participate and earn official AKC titles just like a purebred, AKC registered dog can.

With the AKC Canine Partners™ program, your mixed-breed dog will not only be able to join the AKC Family Dog title programs we have discussed today, but also to participate in AKC sports and events, like Agility, AKC Rally, or Obedience as well.

The only events your dog will not be able to compete in as an AKC Canine Partner are Conformation, herding, hunt tests, and earth dog, as these are breed-specific activities.

Here are a couple of things to know as you prepare to enroll your mixed-breed dog in this program:

First, while you can choose up to two breeds you believe are in your dog’s background on the enrollment form, when entering events, you will select All American Dog for the breed.

And, although you can register an intact puppy, all dogs in the program are required to be spayed or neutered upon adulthood (at an age recommended by your veterinarian). No exceptions are granted to this.

Furthermore, all dogs must be altered before they can compete in an AKC event.

My guess is this rule is in place to reduce the accidental and purposeful breeding of mixed-breed dogs, which I believe is the right and responsible thing to do.

VIDEO: From Canine Good Citizens to Trick Dogs, AKC Family Dog is for YOU! | ALL Dogs of ALL ages WELCOME

Is AKC Family Dog For You?

When I lost Junior on May 13th, my world crashed. There are no words that describe the heartbreak I still feel in his absence, except to say I don’t know if I will ever fully heal.

I am angry at the negligence that caused his death, lost without his sweet giant head and playful spirit, and I feel tremendous guilt and shame that I couldn’t save him. He was taken from me and Sulley, his best friend.

But here’s what I know to be true. The paralysis caused by the death of one dog should not take the place of the life being lived by another.

Sulley has been grieving as much as we have over the sudden loss of his best friend.

It is my job to help Sulley heal and through him, try and heal myself.

The AKC Family Dog program has been the vehicle through which Sulley and I are reconnecting and making the most of life together.

We are walking every day, taking an agility class together, and as I mentioned earlier, he recently achieved his Novice Trick Dog and Adult Virtual Home Manners titles.

He is learning new tricks weekly, never ceasing to amaze me with his enthusiasm for learning new skills.

As I said earlier, Sulley is proof that you CAN teach an old dog NEW tricks… though I’m quite certain he would take issue with being called old.

No matter your dog’s age or breed, the AKC Family Dog program has an event for you.

My hope and prayer is that this overview inspires you to get out there with your dog and truly live your best life together.