Canine Good Citizen
Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Test is a certification program that tests dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere. Canine Good Citizen training is fun and useful. Through it, you and your dog will establish a closer bond and your dog will have the added benefit of knowing how to please you. This test of your dog's manners and training is not a competition and does not require that you and your dog perform with precision. The CGC Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. For more detailed information visit AKC CGC Program.

Rally-O
Rally is the latest AKC event to hit the show circuit. Teams navigate the course at a brisk, continuous performance without direction from the judge. Handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs during the performance. The emphasis of Rally is more relaxed than precision competitive Obedience, focusing instead on attitude and enthusiasm, while the variety of exercises and courses allows you to show off your versatility and teamwork. Rally provides a link from the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program to obedience or agility competition, both for dogs and handlers. For more detailed information visit AKC Rally.

Obedience
An obedience trial tests a dogs ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring. There are three levels at which your dog can earn a title and each is more difficult than the one before it. Exercises range from basic heeling, sitting and standing and progress to jumping, retrieving and scent discrimination. All contestants in a class are required to perform the same exercises in substantially the same way so that the relative quality of the various performances may be compared and scored. The performance of dog and handler in the ring must be accurate and correct according to the Obedience Regulations. For more detailed information visit AKC Obedience.

Agility
In an agility trail, a dog demonstrates its agile nature and versatility by following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and other objects. Dog must run off leash, the handler directs the dog with voice commands and various body signals. For more detailed information visit AKC Agility.

Conformation
In a conformation event, the focus is on how well a dog conforms to its breed standard. An AKC judge measures dogs against their breed standards, in physical appearance, temperament, and movement. After being examined by a judge, dogs are placed according to how well (in the judges' opinion) they measure up to their breed standard. Most show dogs are competing for points toward their championship. As these shows are to evaluate and title breeding stock, altered dogs are not eligible to enter conformation competitions put on by the AKC. For more detailed information visit AKC Getting Started in Conformation.

Canine Freestyle
Canine Freestyle is dancing with dogs to music. It is a fun sport for the owners and dogs, and the audience. Based on basic obedience training, it adds other dimensions such as music, timing, costuming, routine development and showmanship. Visit the following websites for more information. WCFO, Musical Dog Sport Assoc.

Therapy
Visiting with animals can help people feel less lonely and less depressed. Visits from dogs can provide a welcome change from routine. People become more active and responsive both during and after visiting with animals. Temperament is the most important factor when looking to do therapy work. A dog who is friendly--who really likes people in general is a good candidate for training. Most local dog training centers have therapy training programs and can help get you certified. For more information visit the following websites Therapy Dogs International, Therapy Dogs, Inc. and DogPlay.