OUR MISSION

  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).

The course is a two (2) to six (6) class program of one (1) hour each class.  Cost of the training is $80 and up depending on the dog's current trained level and it includes the AKC evaluation at the end of the training.   

 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 with the AKC BEFORE testing for the CGCU!

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

New class starts:

                      AS NEEDED

EVALUATIONS for Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU), and Trick Dog 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 ~ $30

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

 This class is strictly geared toward teaching your dog the skills they will need to pass a Therapy Dog Certification Test. 

They will need to show obedience towards their handlers commands, no aggression towards other prospective therapy dogs or people. 

Specific drills and socialization will be exercised in each session. It will include training around wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, and other obstacles  that they would encounter in a Therapy Dog service situation along with actual visits to different locations.

Once they are ready to be tested, the dog must be 1 year of age and must have lived with their handler for at least 6 months. 

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

WhiteHaven Canine is a Certified Therapy Dog Evaluator for The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. organization to qualify you & your dog as a Certified Therapy Dog Team. 

Cost of the class will be determined by the current level of training of your dog.

Evaluations (NO TRAINING) $20; Pass or Fail.

Therapy Dog Evaluations:

                        As Needed

There are many Veterans that need the services of a 'Task performing' Service Dog due to disabilities while others may only require an Emotional Support Animal.

WhiteHaven Canine is pleased to be offering training for ESAs for our Veterans.  We obtain dogs from local shelters or donated from individuals, train them in obedience & service as an ESA, then donate the animals to Disabled Veterans at no cost to the Veteran.

If you are a Veteran requesting an ESA or ESA training for your own dog, please complete the form in the following link: https://form.jotform.com/212326935464054 

Do you and your dog love to be the life of the party by showing off his arsenal of tricks? Then he might be perfectly primed to earn AKC Trick Dog titles! 

There are five (5) AKC Trick Titles you and your dog can earn:

• AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN)- Your dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list.  If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title. See the list of tricks here.
• AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) – Your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks. See the list of tricks here.
• AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) – Your dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 10 tricks from the Advanced list. See the list of tricks here.
• AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) – In this title, handlers perform a short routine with at least 10 tricks with at least 3 tricks using props. See the requirements here.
• AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE) – In the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script. At least 5 props are used.  See the requirements here. 

While dogs may begin training for trick titles as puppies, the earliest an AKC Trick Dog title will be awarded by AKC is 4 months.

Now, more than ever, fitness is important for both dogs and people. The most commonly recommended exercise to improve fitness is walking. Walking is considered a safe activity that improves muscular strength, circulation, memory, weight loss, increases energy, helps with sleep, and reduces stress.  Other reasons to walk your dog:

1. Walking provides exercise & mental stimulation;

2.  Walking is good for your dog's long-term health;

3.  Walking helps with your dog's socialization; and

4.  Walking your dog is a training opportunity.

If you walk with your dog on a regular basis, join the ranks of AKC FIT DOG and get your free (5-3/4 inches) FIT DOG logo car magnet.  The AKC FIT DOG magnet proudly declares to the world that you are committed to your dog’s health and fitness through regular exercise.

The American Heart Association recommends walking a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Participation in the AKC FIT DOG program will bring health benefits to both you and your dog. Walking with your dog will prove to be some of the best bonding time you get with your pet. 

You can receive your free magnet when you and your dog have met one of these fitness goals:

1. Walked at least 30 minutes, 5 times per week for a total of at least 150 minutes per week for at least 3 months. For dogs and people in good shape.

or

2. Walked at least 15 minutes per session at least 10 times per week (e.g., two 15-min walks per day) for at least 3 months. For dogs or people who would benefit from a walk that is a shorter duration, e.g., senior dogs.

If you are interested, email us (info@WhiteHavenCanine.org) for a Record Keeping Form and get started walking!  WhiteHaven Canine is a registered AKC FIT DOG Club.   

 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', 5' or 6' Solid leash.  It is suggested that your buckle have a "metal" hasp/connector; NOT a "plastic" one.  This also applies to your collar. 

Chain/choke collars and prong collars are allowed for training purposes but not the evaluations.  NO HARNESS may be used for training sessions.  A harness may be used, for the evaluation, provided it does NOT hamper the dog movements and ability to perform required tasks.

                               ~ ~ ~

For the Community Canine, Urban Canine, or Therapy Dog Courses, you MUST have an AKC number & have a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) award ON FILE with the AKC PRIOR to testing for these titles.

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.

*** As of right now, you will only find these test offered at AKC Sanctioned clubs, shows, or trials.***

AKC TEMPERAMENT TEST (ATT):

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

This 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.