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A CGC certificate

Demonstrating confidence and control, the dog must complete these ten tests:

1. Accepting a friendly stranger demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach in a natural everyday situation.

The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the dog at the handlers side. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.

2. Sitting politely for petting demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it.

With the dog sitting at the handler's side, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body, then circles the dog and handler, completing the test. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

3. Appearance and grooming demonstrates that the dog will welcome and allow grooming and examining by a stranger such as a groomer or veterinarian.

The evaluator inspects the dog, then combs or brushes the dog and examines the ears and front feet.

Just waiting to be petted

4. Out for a walk (on a loose leash) demonstrates that the handler has control of the dog.

The handler, with the dog at their side, must make a left turn, right turn and an about turn, with at least one stop in between and another at the end.

5. Walking through a crowd demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places.

The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people. The dog may show some interest, without appearing overexuberant, shy or resentful.

6. Sit and down command/staying in place demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's command and will remain in place when commanded.

The handler tells the dog to stay. Then the handler will walk forward the length of a 20-foot line. The dog must stay in place.

7. Praise/Interaction demonstrates that the dog can be easily calmed following play or praise and can leave the area in a mannerly fashion.

The handler plays with the dog using a toy or a favourite trick for ten seconds of play and then must calm the dog for the next exercise.

8. Reaction to another dog demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs.

Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about ten yards, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries. Then each team walks away, continuing on for about five yards. The dogs should show no more than casual interest.

9. Reaction to distractions demonstrates that the dog has confidence when faced with distractions such as a loud noise. Usually a large bell is rung behind the dog.

The dog may express interest and curiosity and may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to break away, show aggressiveness or bark.

10. Supervised isolation demonstrates that the dog can be left alone if necessary and will maintain its training and good manners.

The dog is attached to a six-foot line for three minutes while the handler leaves the area. The dog should not continually bark, whine, howl, pace or show anything other than mild agitation or nervousness.

Points are awarded in the following tests:
Neutral Stranger  Similar to the friendly stranger in CGC, except that the person ignores the dog.

Friendly stranger  Similar to the friendly stranger in CGC except that the stranger is over-exuberant, and pats the dog for ten seconds.

Crowd Test  Similar to walking through a crowd in CGC; there will be approximately eight people coming from different directions creating a circle around the dog.

Hidden Noise  The dog and handler approach a well-hidden assistant who begins to rattle a metal bucket filled with marbles. The dog should investigate but not be afraid.

Gun Test  While dog and handler have their backs turned to an assistant fifteen feet away, the assistant fires three shots into the air. The dog can investigate the sound of the noise and the handler may follow—up to ten feet away from the assistant.

Umbrella Test  The dog and handler proceed toward an assistant who is sitting relaxed and motionless in a chair. The assistant is holding a large umbrella that is closed. When the dog is five feet away from the umbrella the assistant will suddenly release the umbrella so that it opens at a 90-degree angle to the path of the dog. Then the umbrella is lowered to the ground. The dog should investigate the umbrella and not be afraid.

Footing Test  The dog and handler walk over a 15 x 4' length of chain/metal fencing laid flat on the ground.

Self-protectiveness  The purpose of this part of the test is to see the dogs’ capacity to focus on an unusual stimulus, recognize a threat and to react in the face of a threat.
     As the dog and handler comes to within thirty feet of a well-hidden unfriendly stranger, the unfriendly stranger emerges from his hiding place making unusual sounds and motions. The unfriendly stranger crosses the path of the dog and handler. The dog is expected to recognize this as a stimulus. The unfriendly stranger turns toward the dog and handler raising a riding crop or stick, continuing to make unusual noises and motions, advancing to a distance of twenty feet. The dog is expected to recognize this as a threat. The unfriendly stranger then pounds his riding crop/stick six times on the ground and advances to within ten feet of the team. He waits five seconds, then turns and flees. The dog is expected to react, with the handler in full control.

Register of Merit
The purpose of the Register of Merit is to acknowledge a well-rounded dog. The requirements are similar in Canada and the U.S.—the dog must have its championship, a performance title (i.e. CD, TD) and a TT (only accepted in Canada) or WAC. The ROMC/ROM programs are sponsored by the Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada and the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, respectively. The title ROMC or ROM is appended to the end of the dog's registered name.

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