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AKC CERTIFICATIONS
AKC STAR Puppy
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an entry-level training and certification program designed for puppies under one year old. It focuses on basic behaviors such as socialization, following simple commands, tolerance of handling, and responsible ownership. The program emphasizes the foundations of good manners and positive experiences for young dogs.
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
AKC Canine Good Citizen certifies that a dog has good manners and is well-behaved in everyday situations. Dogs are evaluated on skills such as accepting a friendly stranger, walking politely on a leash, responding to basic commands, and remaining calm around distractions. CGC is widely recognized as a standard for responsible dog ownership.
AKC CGC Community Dog (CGCA)
AKC CGC Community Dog builds on the CGC certification by testing a dog’s behavior in real-world public settings. Dogs must demonstrate good manners around crowds, traffic, and public buildings, as well as reliable responses to commands at a distance. This certification shows that a dog can behave appropriately in community environments.
AKC CGC Urban Dog (CGCU)
AKC CGC Urban Dog is the most advanced level of the CGC program and focuses on behavior in busy urban environments. Dogs are evaluated in settings such as city streets, public transportation areas, and crowded sidewalks. The certification demonstrates advanced control, confidence, and adaptability in high-distraction situations.
To obtain these AKC certifications, dogs must complete obedience training through Pack Up Dog Training, where both the dog and owner learn foundational and advanced skills. Owners are required to actively work with their dog, becoming familiar with proper training techniques and reinforcing behaviors through consistent practice. After training is completed, the dog and owner team must pass an official evaluation test that assesses obedience, behavior, and teamwork to earn the appropriate certification.
To obtain Obedience, Service, or Therapy certifications (not through the AKC), dogs must complete structured obedience training through Pack Up Dog Training, focusing on reliability, control, and appropriate behavior. Owners are expected to actively participate in the training process, developing a strong working relationship with their dog and learning effective handling and training techniques. After completing training, both the dog and owner must successfully pass an evaluation that tests obedience skills, behavior in real-world environments, and the dog’s suitability for its specific role, such as public access for service work or calm, friendly interaction for therapy settings.
PACK UP CERTIFICATIONS
Obedience Certification
Obedience Certification verifies that a dog can reliably follow commands and demonstrate good manners in everyday situations. It focuses on skills such as walking politely on a leash, responding to basic and advanced commands, maintaining focus around distractions, and working cooperatively with the handler.
Service Dog Certification
Service Dog Certification recognizes a dog that is trained to perform specific tasks that assist an individual with a disability. These tasks may include guiding, alerting, retrieving, or providing physical support. The certification emphasizes consistent task performance, public access behavior, and strong handler control.
Therapy Dog Certification
Therapy Dog Certification certifies that a dog has the temperament and training needed to provide comfort and emotional support in settings such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, or community programs. Therapy dogs are evaluated on calm behavior, friendliness, tolerance of handling, and the ability to remain relaxed in unfamiliar environments.