About Us

AKC has one of the widest recognized CGC Program and their initial CGC is open to any dog regardless of whether or not it has an AKC registration number.  If you want to do the other levels of AKC CGC such as Urban CGC.

Polite Herding Dog is ASDR's program to give individuals who are not registered with AKC to earn different levels on their dogs.

POLITE HERDING DOG
1. The dogs allows a friendly stranger to approach and shake hands with the handler. The dog may not shy away or show any signs of aggression.

2. The dogs sits for attention without getting out of the sitting position. The examiner will approach the dog and pet them while they remain in a sitting position.

3. The tolerance of the dog being handled will be checked by the examiner by them lifting front feet, touching ears, and using a brush.

4. The dog must exhibit polite leash walking with being able to turn left, right, about turn, and a stop without pulling.

5. The dog and handler must be able to walk through a crowd of people without the dog showing anxiety, pulling or aggression.

6. The dog must be placed in a down stay while the handler walks 20 foot away. The handler must return to their dog without them getting up.

7. The dog must come when called from a down stay. (This may be combined with number 6).

8. The dog and handler must meet another dog and handler. The dogs will be on opposite side and will be at least 2 feet apart. The dogs will not pass the handler left leg the handlers will carry on a 30 second conversation. The dog must not show any signs of aggression or pulling on the leash the dog may be in a sit, down, or stand.

9. The dog must tolerate a distraction of a loud noise. The dog must not bolt, show extreme anxiety, or show aggression.

10. Dog and owner are separated for 3 minutes. The dog cannot whine, pull, or jump on the handler that is holding the dog during the evaluation.

POLITE HERDING DOG MASTER
1. The dog remains under control while the handler fills out paperwork. The dog may sit, stand or lay down but cannot pull on the leash.

2. The dog must exhibit loose leash walking among other dogs in a common area. The dog cannot pull on the leash, be drug through the crowd, or show signs of aggression.

3. The dog exhibits control while on a loose leash while walking through a crowded area. The dog cannot pull on the leash, be drug through the crowd, or show signs of aggression.

4. The dog ignores distractions such as a crowd with dogs the dog is on a loose leash and does not pull on the leash to go to the other dogs.

5. The dog must exhibit control for at least 25 seconds while standing in circle with 2 other dogs. The dogs may sit or lay down but may not pull on the leash, bark or show aggression. Dogs are kept 2 feet apart.

6. The dog allows a person carrying a large bag to approach them to be petted. Dog may not shy away, bark, pull on the leash or show signs of aggression

7. The dog must exhibit control by walking past a food distraction that is dropped by a by stander. You may command your dog to leave it but not excessive pulling or eating of the dropped food.

8. The dog must remain in a stay while the owner walks 20 feet away to retrieve a bag they return back to their dog with the bag and sit it on the ground. The dog may not shy way or pull on the leash.

9. The dog must come when called they must go past a distraction, this can be toys or treats the dog can eat the treats or take the toys.

10. The dog must walk through a door way while the handler is holding a drink in their hand. The dog must not pull or be drug through the entry.

POLITE HERDING DOG ELITE
1. The dog waits for the handler to open a door then dog may enter before or after but must not pull on the leash or be drug in to the building.

2. The dog must be able to walk through a crowd of 6 or more people and 3 dogs. People may have on hats, sunglasses, and may be men, women, and children.

3. The dog must be able to walk of different textures of surfaces. This may be grass, concrete, tarp, asphalt, wet cement etc.) The dog must not show signs of anxiety or pulling of the leash to noises or distractions such as a siren, horn, skateboard, baby stroller, bike, running people etc.

4. The dog must cross the street in a controlled manner without pulling on the leash. The dog must stop at the corner or crossing and wait until the handler deems it safe to cross. The dog may not pull on the leash.

5. The dog must ignore food left on the sidewalk and leave it while walking past, the dog must be on the side closest to the food and be only 1 foot away. The food can be hamburgers, nuggets, hot dogs etc. The dog may not pull on the leash or eat any of the food.

6. A stranger approaches the dog with a bag, while holding the bag the stranger bends over and pets the dog while the remains in a sitting position. The dog cannot show signs of shyness or pulling of the leash.

7. The dog must remain in control in a down stay while the handler is having a snack for 3 minutes. Dog may not whine, beg, or get out of the down stay at any time.

8. The dog must remain in control while going up stairs or bleachers. The dog may not pull the handler or be up or down.

9. The dog must be in control while being crated. The dog cannot show any signs of aggression, cannot whine or bark from the crate while a dog is being walked by.

10. The dog must be quiet while it is in the crate with the owner is going for 2 minutes. No whining or barking.