Testing
The SCDTC offers the opportunity for you and your dog to test for a variety of programs further described below:
S.T.A.R. Puppy
SCDTC now offers the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy program through our Puppy and Beginner classes. Puppies under the age of 12 months can participate. Participants will receive:

 
  • AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal
  • A frameable certificate
  • AKC puppy handbook
  • Discount to enroll in AKC Companion Animal Recovery Corporation
  • Ongoing monthly Email Newsletter
For more information, see the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Canine Good Citizen is an American Kennel Club (AKC) certification program that is open to all dogs – mixed breed or purebred (AKC registration is optional). It is intended to reward responsible pet ownership and good dog manners (see the AKC CGC Program). To receive the certificate, your dog must successfully demonstrate it can perform basic obedience, such as walking on a loose lead and coming when called, as well as behave politely around people and other dogs. Although AKC recommends waiting until a dog is an adult before taking the CGC test, as long as all immunizations have been completed, there are no age restrictions. For test details, please see the AKC CGC Test Items.
SCDTC offers the CGC test a few times each year. There are a limited number of test slots available and they fill quickly. All dogs are welcome though priority is given to SCDTC students. To register for the CGC or CGCA Test please contact Jacque Halford or text 408-416-6275.

CGC Test Dates
See our Events Page for CGC test dates
If you are taking the CGC test, bring a brush and, optionally, your dog's AKC registration number. Your dog may wear a buckle or slip collar; pinch collars and head halters are not permitted. You may talk to your dog throughout the test but may only pet it between exercises. Food and toys are not permitted. On the day you take the test, please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in and fill out the test form. The test takes about 10 minutes to complete.
If your dog passes the CGC test and you send AKC the test result form, a CGC certificate will be mailed to you and, if you provided an AKC registration number, will be noted in your dog's AKC record.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC-A)
AKC Community Canine is the advanced level of AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program.

As with CGC, AKC Community Canine has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Community Canine title. This is a title that appears on the dog's title record at AKC.

The Setting

All skills on the test are tested on leash.
The AKC Community Canine (CGCA) test may be done in a class, at shows, in pet stores or in the community. When the test is administered in community settings such as at a business or special event, evaluators must have the necessary approval of the business owners, etc.

While Canine Good Citizen tests are simulations of real world skills, (e.g., dog/handler walks through a "crowd" of evaluators in a ring), the goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog's skills in a natural setting. For example, rather than the dog being tested in a ring, in AKC Community Canine, the "walks through a crowd" test item will involve the dog walking through a real crowd at a dog show, on a busy sidewalk, in a therapy dog setting, or at a training club.

Requirements

To earn the AKC Community Canine title, dogs must meet the following two requirements:

1. Must already have a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) award or title on record at AKC.

2. Must have an AKC number of one of 3 types (AKC registration number, PAL number, or AKC Canine Partners number). All dogs, including mixed breeds, can get an AKC number. The reason for the AKC number requirement is that this is how we create titles at AKC; we attach the titles to the dog's number. For more information on getting an AKC number, see: http://images.akc.org/cgc/number.pdf For test details, please see the AKC CGC-A Test Items.
SCDTC offers the CGC-A test a few times each year. There are a limited number of test slots available and they fill quickly. All dogs are welcome though priority is given to SCDTC students. To register for the CGC or CGCA Test please contact Jacque Halford at info@santaclaradog.org.

CGC-A Test Dates
See our Events Page for CGC-A test dates
If you are taking the CGC-A test, bring your dog, a leash and a buckle or slip collar and optionally, your dog's AKC registration number. You may talk to your dog throughout the test but may only pet it between exercises. Food and toys are not permitted. On the day you take the test, please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in and fill out the test form. The test takes about 10 minutes to complete.
If your dog passes the CGC-A test and you send AKC the test result form, a CGC-Acertificate will be mailed to you and, if you provided an AKC registration number, will be noted in your dog's AKC record.

On the day you take the test, please arrive 30 minutes early to sign in and fill out the TDI test forms.

If you and your dog pass the test, the TDI Evaluator will sign your registration form and return it to you. Within three months, you must complete the forms and other TDI registration requirements (see TDI registration requirements) and apply for TDI membership. Once accepted, you will need to remain active as a TDI volunteer and renew your membership annually (you do not need to repeat the test).