Working Dog AKC Canine Good Citizen

The goal of this course is to improve the reliability of basic skills taught in service dog manners level 1 while increasing distance, duration, and distractions. Since service dogs are required to do tasks to help their handler, the next level of task foundation skills will be taught.

Skills Taught:  

• Tug
• Retrieving, take it, bring and drop it
• Touch and targeting
• Service dog laws and etiquette
• Handling questions from strangers
• Being prepared to have your dog with you 24/7
• Thresholds, stress and dog body language
• Body blocking
• Fading treats
• Stages of growth in dogs
• Nutrition
• Working off-leash
• Toys and enrichment
• Handling
• Dog grooming and care

The exercises, props, and outing locations will vary each session.  This course may be repeated as needed.  

Instructors:  This course is taught by our senior-level, highly experienced service dog trainers.  

Working Dog Classes include:

• Smaller class sizes for more individualized instruction
• Longer class sessions to allow additional training and handler education
• Specialized curriculum designed around the expectations of Service and Therapy Dog work
• More individual coaching for each dog-and-handler team
• Additional instruction on public behavior, distractions, handler awareness, and public-access skills

Evaluation and Planning:  By the end of this course, you and your dog partner should be able to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation in an unfamiliar location without treats.  This course may be repeated.  If a student takes the course a second time, the AKC Canine Good Citizen Community evaluation will be used for testing.  A written evaluation and plan are provided at the end of the course, every time it is taken.     

Age of Dog: 14 months and older

Prerequisite:  Prior attendance at the Service Dog Program Introduction Seminar and Working Dog Beginner Manners.

Working Dog Classes are designed primarily for dogs preparing for Service Dog or Therapy Dog work. Pet dogs are welcome to participate, but the curriculum is more intensive and places greater emphasis on the skills handlers need when working with a dog in public environments. You will need to practice outside of class.

Please contact us if you have any questions! 

Successfully attending and completing this course or the entire series of service dog courses does not qualify you as a service/assistance dog trainer qualified to train dogs for others.  The purpose of our program is to guide you as you train your own dog to be your service dog.  The Dog Alliance is a fully accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.