Services Offered

AKC  S.T.A.R. Puppy is the puppy level of the CGC program. "S.T.A.R." stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and a Responsible owner, all the things a puppy needs.

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class.

Puppies between the ages of 3 months and 1 year of age may be a part of this program.

The Benefits of Training

Training classes teach you how to best communicate with your puppy. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. In classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction, you’ll be able to get information on all of your puppy-raising questions including housetraining, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy training is a natural lead in to the AKC® Canine Good Citizen® Program.

You will receive:

• A beautiful, frameable certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC.
• New Puppy Guide – Digital Edition:  AKC’s comprehensive resource about caring for your puppy.
• Ongoing Monthly Email Newsletter: Your AKC. This includes training tips and up-to-date information every dog owner needs to know. We want you and your puppy to continue learning beyond puppy classes.

Evaluation is included in the class price of $120.  All six sessions MUST have been attended to qualify for the evaluation.

New class starts:

 TBD

 The CANINE GOOD CITIZEN program is a 2-part program that is designed to 1) Teach responsible dog ownership to owners and,  2) Certify dogs that have the training and behaviors needed to be reliable, well-behaved members of their families and communities.

The purpose of the CGC Program is to ensure that our favorite companions 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. Dogs must pass all 10-steps of the CGC tests to receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.   

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN (CGC): This basic obedience test’s 10-Steps include: 

1) Accepting a friendly stranger, 

2) Sitting politely for petting, 

3) Appearance & grooming, 

4) Out for a walk (walking on a loose leash), 

5) Walking through a crowd, 

6) Sit & down on command & Staying in place, 

7) Coming when called, 

8) Reaction to distraction, 

9) Reaction to another dog, and 

10) Supervised separation.

This is a 6-class program for 1-hour per training session, training the dog & the owner together to learn the skills they need for the CGC. 

The cost is $150 AND INCLUDES the AKC evaluation at the end of the class.  A $25 deposit to hold your slot is required with the balance due 7 days PRIOR to the start of the class (Cash, Check, or Credit Card).

 The class is limited to 5 dogs and the handlers. 

The first day of class, bring proof of current rabies vaccination and if you live in the Waco city limits, bring proof of  microchip. 

New class starts:

March 16 ~  April 2, 2020

(This class will be 2 nights a week for 3 weeks on Monday & Thursday  5-6 pm)  IN PROGRESS

 AKC Community Canine℠ is the advanced level of the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program. Dogs that pass the AKC Community Canine test earn the official AKC Community Canine title that is designated by the letters “CGCA” (Advanced CGC) on the dog’s title record. 

Whereas Canine Good Citizen tests are most often tested in a ring and situations are simulated (e.g., 3 helpers serve as a “crowd”), the AKC Community Canine test is done in real situations including at shows, classes, and in the community. 

The 10-Steps in the CGCA test include: 

1) Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner, 

2) Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring) — does not pull, 

3) Walks on loose leash through a crowd, 

4) Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull, 

5) Sit — stay in small group (3 other people with dogs), 

6) Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it, 

7) “Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”, 

8) Down or sit stay — distance (owner’s choice), 

9) Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20–ft. (off center) and calls dog, and 

10) Dog will sit or stand stay (owner’s choice) while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Owner calls dog through door when ready. 

This will be a 6-class program held for 1 hour each lesson period. Training will be conducted in public areas, such as parks, city sidewalks, etc. 

Cost of the class is $150 including the AKC evaluation at the end of the class. A $25 deposit is required to hold your slot with the balance due 7 days PRIOR to the start of the class (cash, check, or credit card). 

The class and it is limited to 5 dogs and the handlers.

 The first day of class, bring proof of current rabies vaccination and if you live in the Waco city limits, bring proof of  microchip. 

 Your dog MUST have the CGC on file BEFORE  testing for the CGCA!

New class starts:

TBD

  AKC URBAN CANINE GOOD CITIZEN  

is a title in the Canine Good Citizen family of awards and titles.

AKC Urban CGC requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in a setting that includes traffic, crowds, noises, smells and other distractions that are present in a city or town.  As with Canine Good Citizen, AKC Urban CGC is a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Urban CGC title. 

Urban CGC is a public access test that demonstrates dogs are well-behaved and well-trained when in public settings. The Urban CGC test can be used by dog- friendly business (e.g., lodging, retail, transportation, public facilities) to recognize and accept dogs with good manners.

Test Items

1.  Exit/enter doorway with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings. Exit building to start test, additional Public buildings items are below. 

2.  Walk through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk.

• People come toward the dog from 1-ft. away
• Tolerate distractions (people wearing hats, coats, men, women, etc).

3.  Appropriate reaction to city distractions. This includes movement, noises, and walking on a variety of surfaces. Examples:

• Noises: horns, sirens, construction noise, etc.
• Moving objects: skateboard, bike, carts, person running
• Surfaces: concrete, grass, grates, plastic tarp, wet sidewalk

4.  Crossing street: Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling (on leash, with owner). Crosses street under control.

5.  Ignore food on sidewalk. (Dropped food, or cups, bags, cans, in which food was wrapped).

6.  Person walks up and pets the dog. May be carrying an item such as a small dog in a bag, a computer bag, etc. Person does not put the bag down to pet the dog.

7.  Public Building (that is dog friendly). Walks under control in building (slick surface, carpeted floor). Down stay (3 min) in lobby or outdoor area, or waits while owner has a meal or snack.

8.  Stairs, steps, or elevator under control.

• Steps (at least 3 – up and down)
• Elevator (Enters under control, exits, rides under control)

9.  Housetrained for apartment, condo, city living. Owner may verify this item. Evaluator may also observe in public buildings, or have observed in training classes.

10.  Transportation. Owner’s choice depending on transportation needs.

• Car. Enters/exits, remains under control during the ride. (Crate? Seatbelt?)
• Subway. Small dog in bag for ride. (large dogs are not always permitted; know and abide by the Transit Policies in your area).
• Dog friendly (enters/exits or allows to be put in/taken out) under control.

The course is a six (6) class program of one (1) hour each class.  Cost of the class is $150 including the AKC evaluation at the end of the class.  A $25 deposit is required to hold your slot with the balance due 7 days PRIOR to the start of the class (cash, check, or credit card). 

The class is limited to 5 dogs and the handlers.

 The first day of class, bring proof of current rabies vaccination and if you live in the Waco city limits, bring proof of  microchip. 

Your dog MUST have the CGC on file BEFORE testing for the CGCU!

*** This does NOT Certify your dog as a Service Dog and does NOT allow any special privileges for your dog. ***

New class starts:

In Progress

Evaluations for the Canine Good Citizen Program: Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), and Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU) titles.

These are Evaluations for your ALREADY TRAINED dog for title ONLY.  NO INSTRUCTION given.

Locations will be set depending on the level of evaluation being given and are conducted as needed.  Phone for an appointment.

CGC, CGCA & CGCU ~ $20 (pass or fail) for each dog & each evaluation.

ASSESSMENTS

WhiteHaven Canine Evaluators conducts assessments of your dog to determine issues that need to be addressed; the level of training that would be best to start your dog and other needs that may concern you.

Assessments ~ FREE

 AKC Temperament Test (ATT)

WhiteHaven Canine is an approved Evaluator for the new AKC Temperament Test (ATT).

This new program is considered a Title and can be added to your dog's record. 

It will test the dog in six (6) categories of stimuli that include:

1) Social, 2) Auditory, 3) Visual, 

4) Tactile, 5) Proprioceptive (motion), and 6) Unexpected stimulus

The AKC Temperament Test (ATT) was developed to bring focus and provide a meaningful evaluation to assess the temperament of our canine companions.

The ATT tests how a dog reacts to a variety of stimuli. Desirable traits are that the dog will be emotionally stable, inquisitive, cooperative, appropriately social for its breed, biddable and demonstrates the ability to recover from a startling situation in a reasonable amount of time.

Undesirable traits are fear, shyness, lack of cooperation and an inability to recover from unfamiliar or unexpected situations. Examples of undesirable behaviors include being afraid of friendly strangers or unfamiliar stimuli, obsessive barking, and aggression.

To qualify for the title of ATT, the dog must be tested twice by two different evaluators and make application to the AKC.  As of right now, you will only find these test offered at AKC Sanctioned clubs, shows, or trials.

THERAPY DOGS

 WhiteHaven Canine now offers training for your dog as a Therapy Dog.  

This involves the Basic & Advanced obedience courses (if they have not had that previously), and exposure to the AKC Temperament Test (ATT).  

It will also include training around wheelchairs, walkers, and other obstacles  that they would encounter in a Therapy Dog service situation.

Training times and costs on this will be dependent on an assessment of the animal's current training level. 

Who Can Participate?   All dogs, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome to participate in the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program.  

Dogs must be old enough to have received necessary immunizations such as rabies vaccines or a titer test and show proof that they are current.  Written proof will be required to show current immunizations.

Owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge attesting to having the dog under the routine care of a veterinarian who will work with the owner to determine an appropriate plan and schedule for vaccines, proper diet, exercise plan and other health care procedures. 

NO EXTENDABLE LEASHES  will be permitted in class or for the evaluation.  

You will need a 4' or 6' Solid leash.  It is suggested that your buckle have a "metal" hasp/connector; NOT a "plastic" one.  

Chain or choke collars and prong collars are allowed for training purposes but not the evaluations.  A harness may be used, provided it does NOT hamper the dogs movements and ability to perform required tasks.

~ ~ ~

For the Community Canine, Urban Canine, or Therapy Dog Courses, you MUST have an AKC number.

One of these 3 types will be needed:  AKC registration number, Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL), or AKC Canine Partners.  

All dogs, including mixed breeds, can get an AKC number. The reason for the AKC number requirement is that this is how the AKC creates titles; they attach the titles to the dog’s number. 

To get a number, if you do not already have one, you may go to:

www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm for purebred dogs or: 

www.akc.org/register/information/purebred-alternative-listing-pal/ 

for Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) 

or to:

www.akc.org/canine_partners/ for mixed breed dogs.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding training programs in groups or private 1-on-1 training.  Just give us a call or email us and we'll back to you just as soon as we can (normally the same day).

WhiteHaven Canine would welcome the opportunity to assist you and your dog in their training needs & growth!