Obedience 3: AKC Community Canine Prep (CGCA) | Clever Canine Dog Training | Waterford, MI
Group Class — Oakland & Macomb Counties, Metro Detroit

Obedience 3:
AKC Community Canine Prep

Take your well-mannered dog out into the real world — and earn the title to prove it.

Your dog aced the Canine Good Citizen test. Now it's time to take those skills into the community. Obedience 3 prepares you and your dog for the AKC Community Canine (CGCA) title — the Advanced Good Citizen — by training and testing in real-world situations, not just in the classroom.

✓ 4 weekly sessions ✓ Two certified trainers ✓ All 10 CGCA test items covered ✓ Real-world community settings ✓ Leads to official AKC CGCA title
Register Now Book a Free Discovery Call

Not sure if your dog is ready? Book a free call — we'll tell you honestly.

Dog walking calmly on a loose leash in a community setting — AKC Community Canine prep class in Waterford Michigan
4Weekly Sessions
2Certified Trainers
10CGCA Test Items Covered
CGCAOfficial AKC Title Eligible
See BelowNext Class Starts
What is the CGCA?

The Advanced Canine Good Citizen — Earned in the Real World

The AKC Community Canine (CGCA) title is part of the AKC's Canine Good Citizen program — a series of classes that begins with foundational skills like sit, down, and come, and builds on those skills as dogs progress from one level to the next. The result is a dog any owner can be proud to take out into the community.

Obedience 3 is where those skills are taken out of the classroom and applied where they actually matter — real crowds, real distractions, real environments. This is the class that turns a well-trained dog into a genuinely well-mannered community member.

Prerequisites to earn the CGCA title Your dog must have a current Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate on record with AKC, plus an AKC number, PAL number, or AKC Canine Partners number. All dogs, including mixed breeds, are eligible. Don't have a CGC yet? Talk to us — our Obedience 2 class prepares dogs for the CGC test.
"AKC Community Canine is the third and most advanced level of the Canine Good Citizen program. Dogs who pass earn the official CGCA title — recognized by the American Kennel Club." — AKC
The AKC Program Pathway
1
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Foundation socialization & skills for puppies
2
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
10-item test — the gold standard for dog behavior
3
AKC Community Canine (CGCA)
Advanced CGC — tested in real community settings. You are here.
4
AKC Urban CGC (CGCU)
CGC skills demonstrated in an urban setting — traffic, sidewalks, buildings & more. See our Obedience 4 / CGCU Prep class.
Register for Obedience 3 →
4 weekly sessions · Two certified trainers
What the CGCA tests

All 10 AKC Community Canine Test Items

Every item is practiced and prepared for across our four class sessions. Unlike the CGC, these are tested in real-world settings — not a controlled ring — so your dog needs to be ready for real distractions, real crowds, and real situations.

1
Waits Under Control
Dog stands, sits, or lies down and stays under control while the owner handles other tasks — at a registration table, sitting at a park, visiting with someone.
2
Loose Leash in Natural Setting
Dog walks on a loose leash without pulling — including left and right turns, stops, and changes of pace. Tested in a natural setting, not a ring.
3
Loose Leash Through a Real Crowd
Dog walks calmly through an actual crowd — not a staged ring setup. Real people, real movement, real distractions.
4
Walks Past Distraction Dogs
Dog walks past other dogs (approximately 2 ft. apart) without pulling or reacting. The kind of situation you encounter every day on a walk.
5
Sit-Stay in a Small Group
Dog holds a sit-stay while 3 other dogs and their owners are nearby in an informal group — owners having a casual conversation.
6
Allows Approach by Person Carrying Items
Dog allows a stranger carrying a backpack, purse, or bag to approach and pet it calmly. Item is placed on the floor before petting.
7
"Leave It" — Food on the Ground
Dog walks past food on the floor or ground and ignores it on owner's cue. A foundational impulse-control skill that pays dividends everywhere.
8
Down or Sit-Stay at Distance
Dog holds a down or sit-stay (owner's choice) while owner walks 20 feet away, picks up an item, and returns. Dog stays until released.
9
Recall with Distractions
Owner moves 20 feet off-center and calls the dog. Dog comes past a distractor and returns reliably to the handler.
10
Doorway & Passageway Control
Dog enters and exits a doorway or narrow passageway on leash with the owner in a calm, controlled manner — no rushing, no pulling.
What makes this different

Why Clever Canine Gets Results on the CGCA

Two certified trainers. Real-world training environments. The same proven approach that's earned Metro Detroit dogs hundreds of AKC titles — now focused on the CGCA.

Two Certified Trainers Per Class

One trainer leads the group; the other gives you individual coaching on your specific dog's challenges. You'll know exactly what to work on before your official test.

Trained for the Real World

The CGCA is different from the CGC because it's tested outside a ring. We practice in real-world settings — because that's where your dog needs to perform.

The Canine Connection Compass

All four Compass pillars — Relationship, Impulse Control, Communication, and Boundaries — come together in the CGCA skill set. This is the system that makes it stick.

What Metro Detroit families are saying

Real Dogs. Real Families. Real Results.

★★★★★

"I honestly had my doubts that she would ever be able to go for a walk with us, stop barking at strangers, or basically listen to us in general — but they proved me wrong. We got our life back and we are now very proud parents. Best money I ever spent."

Jenn B.
German Shepherd · Oakland County
★★★★★

"This is the first time we've left a training and been able to see that okay, this is actually working this time. We have tools, we have ways to manage him. It's been unlike any other experience we've had thus far."

Duke's owner
Australian Shepherd · Metro Detroit
★★★★★

"They give the training more to you than the dog — they teach you with your dog. It's definitely worth at least having the conversation at a free discovery session. I have seen results and we are only halfway through."

Brittany A.
Pit Bull Terrier Mix · Oakland County
Obedience 3: AKC Community Canine Prep (CGCA)

Reserve Your Spot

Class size is limited — click the date on the calendar below to register and secure your spot.

Not sure if your dog is ready for the CGCA? Book a free discovery call first →

What to expect

What's Included in Every Session

Each week builds progressively — CGCA test skills developed and refined with take-home practice between sessions. You'll leave every session knowing exactly what to focus on before the next class.

Every dog is different. Some dogs are ready to sit for the official CGCA test after one session of this class — others benefit from going through it a second time to fully solidify their skills. There's no rush, and there's no judgment. Our trainers will give you an honest assessment of where your dog stands and when they're genuinely ready.

1
Register and confirm your spot
You'll receive a confirmation with everything you need to know before your first session, including a checklist for verifying your CGC is on record with AKC.
2
Attend 4 weekly group sessions
All 10 CGCA test items practiced progressively with two certified trainers — individual coaching and a group setting that creates real distraction scenarios.
3
Practice with a clear plan each week
Take-home exercises and community walk challenges after every session that reinforce what you've covered and build real-world confidence.
4
Go at your dog's pace — not the calendar's
Some dogs are ready to take their official CGCA test after one session of this class. Others benefit from going through it again to build consistency and confidence. Our trainers will give you an honest read on where your dog stands — and there's no pressure to test before they're truly ready.
What's included in Obedience 3
  • 4 weekly group sessions
  • Two certified trainers present every session
  • All 10 AKC Community Canine test items covered
  • Real-world distraction scenarios built into class
  • Loose leash walking, crowd manners, and distraction dogs
  • Distance stay and recall with distractions
  • "Leave it" and stranger-with-item exercises
  • Doorway control practice every session
  • Individual coaching within the group setting
  • Take-home community practice plan each week
  • Full mock test run-through in Week 4
  • Guidance on scheduling your official CGCA test
What to bring
Your dog on a regular 6-foot leash and high-value treats. Your dog's CGC documentation or AKC number for reference. No special equipment needed — just a dog who's ready to work.
Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The CGC (Canine Good Citizen) is tested in a controlled ring environment. The CGCA (AKC Community Canine) — also called the Advanced CGC — takes those same skills and tests them in real-world, community settings. A dog walking past a distractor in a ring is very different from a dog walking past other dogs on a real sidewalk. The CGCA proves your dog has the skills where they actually matter.
Yes — the CGC is a prerequisite for the official CGCA title, and your dog needs solid CGC-level obedience to succeed in this class. If your dog has completed our Obedience 2 / CGC Prep class and passed the CGC test, they're ready. If you've trained elsewhere and your dog has CGC skills, book a free discovery call and we'll assess readiness together.
Completing Obedience 3 prepares your dog for the CGCA test — it does not automatically confer the AKC title. After the class, you'll schedule a test with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator (held in the community, at AKC shows, or at training facilities). When your dog passes, the evaluator provides paperwork to submit to AKC for the official CGCA title certificate. Keep in mind that every dog progresses at their own pace — some dogs are test-ready after one session of this class, while others benefit from going through it a second time. We'll give you an honest assessment of where your dog stands and help you decide when the timing is right.
To earn the CGCA title, your dog needs an AKC registration number, PAL (Purebred Alternative Listing) number, or AKC Canine Partners number. All dogs — including mixed breeds — can earn AKC titles through the Canine Partners program. If you're unsure which number your dog has or needs, we'll help you sort that out before your official test.
That's exactly what class is for. With two trainers present, you'll get individual attention when your dog needs extra work on a specific skill. The take-home practice plans also target your dog's specific weak spots. Most dogs show steady improvement across all four weeks — and our trainers will be honest with you about when to schedule your official test versus waiting for more polish.
All group classes are held at our facility at 4396 Dixie Hwy #3, Waterford, MI 48329. Some CGCA skills are practiced in community settings as part of training — your trainer will provide details. We're centrally located in Oakland County and serve families from Waterford, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, West Bloomfield, Troy, Rochester Hills, Commerce, White Lake, and throughout Metro Detroit.