Anybody's dog a certified as a "Canine Good Citizen"?

We are hoping to have Dallas certified so DH & I can bring him to our jobs to visit our Pts. We have been working with a trainer but I really want him to pass. I hope he will eventually be a therapy dog.
I must be mad to want to go into work on my days off but I know the socialization would be great for Dallas & My Pts would love him.

Anybody have any experience doing this??

Re: Anybody's dog a certified as a "Canine Good Citizen"?

My previous dog had his CGC and TDI certificates. I was even an evaluator a few years back. My current little one would do great on all of it except for the supervised separation. I tried this with him on Tuesday at class and let's just say we need to work VERY VERY hard at it. There is a test in June on the island and I was hoping to put him through it but I don't think that will be possible because of his separation issues. I plan to do therapy work with him when he gets a little older and a little less "puppy". I did it with my previous dog for a while and I found it very rewarding. FM me if you have any questions and I will try to answer them!

Re: Anybody's dog a certified as a "Canine Good Citizen"?

I plan to go straight to TDI because I researched it 2 years ago and have been working on Brinkley ever since. I think CGC is a great stepping stone to evaluate the traits they need to later pass the TDI.

Just like with people, I look at it as a job for the dog. Some people are naturally predisposed to different skills and careers; same for dogs. I think it's important to evaluate what a therapy dog's job entails and if their personality is really suited to it or not.

My Ginger is extremely sweet and affectionate but she has separation issues and isn't "polite" and doesn't understand that her actions can hurt or cause people distress

I know perhaps some of those things that would be bad for TDI cert can be trained but I had to be honest with myself and know that she would not be a good candidate. Maybe in a year or two.

Brinkley, on the other hand, is the opposite. If anything, he's less lovey-dovey and although I was concerned that he would get up and walk away from children, he hasn't yet. It could be my imagination but I think he understands that he has to act differently around them than adults. Even though he's 2, he's small and looks like a puppy and kids really like that. My goal is to see if he could perform well with a children's reading program.