CGC Urban

Our Canine Good Citizen Urban classes are designed to help you and your dog gain the ability to enjoy public spaces. This is a class frequently taken by service dogs and emotional support animals in training. This class builds on the normal CGC & CGCA classes you may have taken here at Pickles or at another facility.

While not every team will achieve certification, successful participants will earn a prestigious Canine Good Citizen certification from the American Kennel Club, a Pickles Playland certificate, and for dogs 50 pounds or less a package of 5 free daycare visits.

Class Details:

• Dates, Times, & Locations:

• September 3rd - 24th (weekly on Thursdays). 7pm - 8/8:30pm. Pickles Playland in REDMOND.

• Duration: 4 weekly sessions. 1 hour - 1.5 hours per class. The 1st session is class room style with minimal dog to human interaction, on purpose.

• Cost: $200 per dog

• Open to: Puppies 9 months or older and adult dogs of all ages. Your dog must Pass the normal CGC test before taking this class (this is an AKC regulation). Your dog must have either an AKC registration # or a PAL # (for mixed breed dogs). If you need information about the PAL # let us know.

• Awards: American Kennel Club’s C.G.C. certificate, Pickles Playland certificate, 5 free daycare visit package (for dogs 50lbs or less), & an amazingly well behaved dog

• How to register: Request via the ‘Special Services’ location in the client portal, ‘Add booking’ & ‘Training’ (you also add your credit card under the ‘Special Services’ location, not the Redmond location). Or email us PicklesPlayland@gmail.com. You must have a profile in the client portal. So if you don’t yet, feel free to click the ‘Client Portal’ button above.

Skills Covered:

*This class does not allow treats during training, because they are not allowed, per AKC regulations, during the test.

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

• 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).

• 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

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Stairs, steps, or elevator under control.

  • Steps (at least 3 – up and down)

  • Elevator (Enters under control, exits, rides under control)

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

• 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.

What to Bring:

• Your dog

• A list of questions for the Q&A session at the end of each class

• A way to take note if you’d like

• A standard leash (non-retractable leashes. If you show up with a retractable leash we will not be able to proceed with that day’s training.)

• Your dog’s collar or harness (harnesses are not recommended unless medically necessary)

• Any family members or caregivers 12yrs+ who wish to participate

The fine print:

1. Your dog must know how to sit, lay down, & stay in order to take this class. Aggressive behavior towards a person or other dog will disqualify your dog from passing the CGC portion of the class.

2. If your dog does not pass you’re welcome to re-take the test at no additional charge, during a future class series. Just tell us that you’re coming so we can plan accordingly.

3. Puppies and dogs must have age appropriate bordetella, distemper, and rabies vaccine before registering for class.

4. These classes are for people 12yrs+ only. Please register in the client portal (see client portal button on this website) to reserve your dog’s spot in class.

5. Additional private sessions available upon request at $200/session. These can take place in your home, in public, or at one of the Pickles Playland locations. If you can not make it to one of the classes and want private instruction to see what you missed this will be the option to make up that class.

6. If you send different people to classes please ensure they know and have the skills to follow up with the next steps of training for the class. This will help them and your dog become more comfortable. You’re welcome to bring dog sitters, friends, and family members at no additional charge.

7. Please refrain from recording our classes. The information in these classes is not widely distributed on social media and/or recorded because we have chosen not to. If you have questions or want to record a specific training technique for you and your dog we can schedule a private session to do so.

8. Cancelation policy: We only accept 6 dogs per class. Reservations are non-refundable for any reason. If you miss a class you can choose to schedule a private training session if you’d like, at the standard rate of $200 per private session.