Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Training Program
Behavior That Works in the Real World
Does your dog pull on the leash, jump on guests, get distracted easily, or struggle with calm behavior?
The AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Training Program is the gold standard for teaching polite manners and real-life reliability.
Pawformance provides CGC training in Texas for families wanting calm, reliable manners at home and in public — and prepares them to earn their official CGC title.
Why CGC Matters
CGC isn’t “obedience class.” CGC dog training focuses on practical, everyday behaviors like greeting politely, ignoring distractions, and staying calm in public.
It’s a structured, nationally recognized system designed to build a well-mannered family dog who:
• Walks politely on leash
• Greets people calmly
• Handles distractions without losing it
• Ignores other dogs
• Accepts handling and grooming
• Comes when called
• Stays focused around chaos
CGC is one of the most effective forms of dog manner training because it builds predictable behavior in real environments and is also the foundation for therapy dogs, service dog candidates, and advanced training titles.
What Your Dog Will Learn
This program prepares your dog for all 10 CGC test items, broken down into simple, real-world skills:
• Loose Leash Walking – Calm, connected walking without pulling
• Polite Greetings – No jumping or crowding people
• Sits/Downs/Stays – Reliability even with distractions
• Come When Called – Strong recall even in busy environments
• Dog Neutrality – Focus on you, not other dogs
• Handling & Grooming – Accepting touch, feet, ears, brushing
• Distraction Confidence – Noises, movement, busy areas
• Supervised Separation – Calm while you briefly step away
• Public Manners – Navigating crowds, doorways, and stores
• Real-World Focus – Staying engaged instead of overstimulated
These aren’t tricks — these are life skills your dog will use every single day.
Our Approach
We don’t force obedience.
We teach communication and structure so your dog understands:
• What behavior earns reinforcement
• How to regulate themselves around distractions
• How to stay calm and focused in public
• How to generalize skills in new environments
• How to confidently handle novelty, noises, and setup scenarios
Every lesson is customized to your dog’s needs so we build reliability, not rigid commands.
We also practice in real-world spaces — not just your living room — because CGC is meant to hold up everywhere.
Results You Can Expect
• Walks that are calmer and more enjoyable
• A dog who listens on the first cue
• Less reactivity and overstimulation
• Better guest manners
• Improved confidence
• More predictable behavior
• A stronger bond based on trust and communication
• Readiness to pass the official AKC CGC Test
Your dog learns how to be reliable in the moments that matter most.
Thinking About the Test?
CGC training prepares your dog for the 10-item AKC CGC test, and Pawformance will soon offer official evaluator testing so you can earn your CGC title with confidence. I work with families across Texoma and provide dog training in DFW for CGC preparation and real-world manners.
FAQ
Q: How many sessions does it take?
A: Most owners see improvement within 1–3 sessions, but we tailor packages to your goals.
Q: Will my dog always listen in every situation?
A: Dogs are living beings, not robots — but with consistent systems, reliability goes way up.
Q: What if my dog already knows “sit” and “down”?
A: We take basic skills and make them stronger, more reliable, and transferable to real-life situations.
Q: Do you use choke, prong, or shock collars?
A: No. We use positive reinforcement methods that are humane, effective, and build lasting results
Q: Does my dog need training before CGC?
A: No — we start at your dog’s current level and build from there.
Q: Can puppies do CGC training?
A: Absolutely. Puppies and adolescents benefit tremendously from early manners work.
Q: My dog is reactive or overly excited. Can they still train?
A: Yes. We adjust distance, environment, and setups to help your dog succeed.
Q: Do you provide the actual CGC test?
A: Pawformance is an official AKC CGC Evaluator.
Q: What comes after CGC?
A: CGCA (Advanced), CGCU (Urban), therapy dog prep, and personalized training plans.