Jewel and I went to the Columbine Dachshund Club meeting this afternoon. Many people at the meeting didn't recognize me. I confess I have not been a very active member for the past couple of years.

Word reached me last week that the CGC test would be given at today's meeting for any dog who is ready for it. I wasn't sure Jewel was ready, but it was a good time to find out.

CGC stands for Canine Good Citizen. It's for purebreds and mixed breeds, rich dogs and poor dogs, large and small dogs.

There are ten steps in the CGC test, and dogs have to pass each one of them to earn the designation Canine Good Citizen:

1) Accept a friendly stranger
2) Sit politely for petting
3) Appearance & grooming
4) Out for a walk (loose leash)
5) Walk through a crowd
6) Sit and down on command/stay in place
7) Come when called
8) Reaction to another dog
9) Reaction to distractions
10) Supervised separation

As I knew she would, Jewel passed through the steps like a pro. She was great with walking on loose lead, the crowd and petting, sit, down, stand, and stay, and she was very impressive with "come!"

I worried about step 8. I almost expected her to growl or lunge at another dog, but she actually surprised me. She accepted the other dogs. I've noticed lately that she's been learning to chill around other dogs at Pet Partner meetings.

I was certain that step 10 would not be a problem, but she did show a little concern while hidden from my view. To her credit she did not, as the rule states, "show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness."

The Canine Good Citizen program began in 1989 as a way to encourage responsible dog ownership and reward people who provide basic obedience training. The goal is for more dogs to be well-mannered and welcome in the community. If you want to learn more about it, and find out how your dog can get a CGC, click here. Once passed, you'll sign the Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge.

The CGC test was very similar to the therapy dog evaluation Jewel passed over a year ago. Now she has an extra credential. I'll order her CGC certificate, and I'll also get the $5 patch for her therapy dog vest.

Many of us in the Dachshund Club aren't exclusively dachshund owners; we have other breeds too. A Whippet was tested today (see the pictures).

Congratulations to Jewel and the other recently titled Canine Good Citizens!