It used to be that you could take your dog into the hardware store or bank and not think twice. These days, most places have a “No Dogs Allowed” sign posted on their front door. It is sad but not surprising that dogs are not welcome. Given the popular media frenzy over “dangerous dogs,” it’s a wonder dogs are even allowed on the street anymore.

The rationalization behind these bans is faulty, but the reason for them is fear. Unfortunately, badly behaved dogs are the ones that make the news. Nobody jumps up and shouts, “There is a dog walking down the street quietly beside its owner not doing anything scary or disturbing!”

How do we fight back against unreasonable restrictions? The best way to answer back is to make sure that our dogs are well mannered and well behaved in public and have some documentation to prove it. The Canine Good Neighbour program was designed to test the basic good manners of the family dog and to show the world that dogs are well-behaved and safe family companions, not the dangerous beasts portrayed in the media.

Dogs are willing and eager to learn and will pick up bad habits as easily as good ones. With basic training, most dogs can pass a CGN test and prove that they are a Canine Good Neighbour.

The actual Canine Good Neighbour test is made up of 12 exercises that the dog and owner must pass. It is the evaluator’s job to assess the owner’s control of the dog and also the dog’s basic temperament. If a dog performs perfectly in the test area but behaves badly in the “real world,” the evaluator will take that behaviour into consideration. A Canine Good Neighbour is a dog that is safe in everyday life, not just for special tests.

1) Your dog must accept a friendly stranger approaching you and shaking hands as well as

2) the stranger’s attention and patting. No jumping up to lick faces, even if it is cute, and no hiding behind the owner’s legs and growling.

3) Your dog should be clean and well groomed, nails clipped and ears clean. A friendly stranger should be able to run her hands over your dog, check his ears and touch his paws.

4) You will demonstrate that your dog can walk nicely on a loose leash. First you and the dog will walk a pattern, then further on in the evaluation you will

5) walk through a “crowd,” then

6) meet another dog on leash, and finally

7) walk through a doorway. These are not heeling exercises; it’s simply normal walking with turns and halts to show that you are walking together, not dragging or being dragged. Your dog is allowed to take a brief sniff or lag a little and simply stand when you come to a halt. Grabbing a shopping bag, barking at a person in the “crowd,” creating leash macramé with another dog or lunging through a doorway are unacceptable. Manipulation of the leash and talking to your dog are allowed, but harsh corrections and a constantly tight leash are not.

8) Your dog must show some familiarity with basic commands such as “sit,” “down” and “stay.” The idea is to demonstrate that the owner can communicate commands to the dog and the dog understands and obeys. You are allowed to repeat commands but the dog must show understanding and willingness to do what is asked. Manhandling the dog into position is not allowed.

9) The Reaction to Distractions test ups the ante with a sudden loud noise and other distractions, such as joggers, umbrellas or squeaky wagons. Some startle-response and respect for an event is okay – your dog can pay attention and react to the surroundings – but excessive nervousness or any sign of aggression is not acceptable.

10) Next, with your dog on a long line you’ll call him to you from 10 feet away. Any dog should be able to ace this one.

11) Praise and play with your dog, rev him up a bit, then settle him to show that your dog will calm down from an excited state.

12) The last test is called Supervised Separation. Your dog is left with a reliable stranger while you go out of sight for three minutes. Your dog is allowed to miss you but constant whining, shaking, barking or other signs of excessive stress are not acceptable.

Think your dog can pass this test? Check The Canadian Kennel Club web site www.ckc.ca for CGN evaluators, and ‘Upcoming events’ for tests. You can be a visible good dog owner with a Canine Good Neighbour at your side.