Canine Good Citizen Classes
Our Canine Good Citizen classes are designed to empower you and your dog with the skills and confidence needed to be exemplary companions in any setting.
While not every team will achieve certification, those who do demonstrate will their ability to be respectful and well-mannered members of society. Successful participants will earn a prestigious Canine Good Citizen certification from the American Kennel Club, a Pickles Playland certificate, a mini trophy, and for dogs 35 pounds or less a package of 5 free daycare visits.
As with every kind of event at Pickles Playland we are not able to accept people under 21yrs old in our building. This is a state law, not our rule.
Class Details:
Duration: 5 weekly sessions. 1 hour - 1.5 hours per class. The 1st class is class room style with minimal dog to human interaction, on purpose.
Cost: $250 per dog
Open to: Puppies and adult dogs of all ages
Awards: American Kennel Club’s C.G.C. certificate, Pickles Playland certificate, mini trophy, 5 free daycare visit package (for dogs 35lbs or less), & an amazingly well behaved dog
Upcoming dates: Issaquah: TBD. Kirkland: TBD. Redmond: Mondays at 7pm Jan 6th - Feb 3rd. Wednesdays at 7pm Jan 8th - Feb 8th.
Skills Covered:
Greeting friendly strangers
Sitting politely for petting
Appearance and grooming
Walking on a loose leash
Responding appropriately to food & toy distractions while on a walk
Mastering sit, down, and stay commands
Reliable recall
Navigating through crowds politely
Responding appropriately to human & dog distractions while navigating a crowd
Proper on-leash interactions
Positive dog-to-dog interactions
Handling supervised and unsupervised separations
Welcoming people into your home
What to Bring:
Your dog
A small bed, towel, or blanket (this is important for every class)
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)
Three types of tiny training treats (about the size of a kibble)
A treat bag or dispenser that clips to your pants
For the recall class on week 4: a 10-foot leash (non-retractable)
Any family members or caregivers 21+ who wish to participate
Join us to build a strong bond with your dog and achieve certification that highlights your commitment to responsible pet ownership!
The fine print:
Your dog must know how to sit, lay down, & stay for a short period of time in order to take this class. Your dog does not have to be a master of these skills, but they do need to be able to perform them already. Aggressive behavior towards a person or other dog will disqualify your dog from passing the CGC portion of the class.
If your dog does not pass you’re welcome to re-take the test at no additional cost, during a future class series. Just tell us that you’re coming so we can plan accordingly. You can also re-take the test if your dog does pass (this can be fun as a refresher for you and your dog).
Puppies and dogs must have at least one bordetella, one distemper, and one rabies vaccine before registering for class.
These classes are for people 21yrs+ only (it’s a state law, not ours). Please register in the client portal (see client portal button on this website) to reserve your dog’s spot in class.
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 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.
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.
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.
Did your dog pass the class? You can register with the AKC for the CGC certification by clicking HERE. Scroll down to the yellow & blue CGC logo & click on that option.
