Obedience 4: AKC Urban CGC Prep (CGCU) | Clever Canine Dog Training | Waterford, MI
Group Class — Oakland & Macomb Counties, Metro Detroit

Obedience 4:
AKC Urban CGC Prep

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

Your dog has the foundational skills. Now it’s time to take them into the urban environment. Obedience 4 prepares you and your dog for the AKC Urban CGC (CGCU) title — by training and testing in real city settings: busy sidewalks, traffic, public buildings, stairs, elevators, and more.

✓ 4 weekly sessions ✓ Two certified trainers ✓ All 10 CGCU test items covered ✓ Urban real-world settings ✓ Leads to official AKC CGCU 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 on a busy urban sidewalk — AKC Urban CGC prep class in Waterford Michigan
4Weekly Sessions
2Certified Trainers
10CGCU Test Items Covered
CGCUOfficial AKC Title Eligible
See BelowNext Class Starts
What is the AKC Urban CGC?

The Urban Canine Good Citizen — Earned in the City

AKC Urban CGC is a title in the Canine Good Citizen® family of awards and titles — alongside AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, and AKC Community Canine. It requires that your dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in an urban setting: traffic, sidewalks, public buildings, stairs, elevators, and the real distractions of city life.

Obedience 4 is where those polished skills get tested in the environment where they actually need to work. The “urban” setting doesn’t have to be a major city — as long as there are cars, streets to cross, and real-world distractions, every dog can train for and earn the CGCU title.

Prerequisites to earn the CGCU title Your dog must have a current Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record with AKC, plus an AKC registration 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 Urban CGC should be administered in a place where there are cars, streets to be crossed, noises, and distractions. This test is administered in the real world.” — 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. See our Obedience 3 / CGCA Prep class.
4
AKC Urban CGC (CGCU)
CGC skills in an urban setting — traffic, sidewalks, buildings & more. You are here.
Register for Obedience 4 →
4 weekly sessions · Two certified trainers
What the CGCU tests

All 10 AKC Urban CGC Test Items

Every item is practiced and prepared for across our four class sessions. All skills are tested on leash in real urban settings — cars, streets, sidewalks, public buildings, and the distractions of city life. To pass, dogs must pass all 10 items.

1
Doorway Control
Exits and enters doorways with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings. Controlled, calm entry and exit — no rushing through doors.
2
Busy Urban Sidewalk
Walks through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk with people coming toward the dog from as close as 1 foot away — without pulling or reacting.
3
City Distractions
Appropriate reaction to urban distractions — horns, traffic noise, bikes, and walking on a variety of surfaces including concrete, grass, and pavement.
4
Street Crossing
Stops at a corner, stands or sits to wait, then crosses the street with no pulling. Dog crosses under control on leash with the owner.
5
Ignore Food on Sidewalk
Ignores dropped food, cups, bags, or cans with food residue on the sidewalk — the kind of temptation that appears on every city walk.
6
Approached by Stranger Carrying Items
Allows a person to walk up and pet the dog. The person may be carrying an item such as a small dog in a bag, a computer bag, or purse.
7
Public Building
Walks under control in a dog-friendly building on both slick and carpeted surfaces. Holds a 3-minute down-stay in a lobby or outdoor area, or waits calmly while the owner has a meal or snack.
8
Stairs or Elevator
Owner chooses one: stairs (at least 3 steps, up and down under control) or elevator (enters under control, rides calmly, exits under control).
9
Housetrained for Urban Living
Dog is housetrained and appropriate for apartment, condo, or city living. Owner may verify; evaluator may also observe in public buildings or training class.
10
Transportation
Owner’s choice based on transportation needs: car (enters/exits, rides under control in crate or seatbelt), subway (small dog in bag), or other dog-friendly transit — enters/exits under control.
What makes this different

Why Clever Canine Gets Results on the CGCU

Two certified trainers. Real urban training environments. The same proven approach that’s earned Metro Detroit dogs hundreds of AKC titles — now focused on the CGCU.

Two Certified Trainers Per Class

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

Trained for Urban Environments

The CGCU is tested in real urban settings — traffic, sidewalks, public buildings, and city distractions. We train where your dog will actually be tested, because that’s what gets results.

The Canine Connection Compass

All four Compass pillars — Relationship, Impulse Control, Communication, and Boundaries — come together in the CGCU skill set. This is the system that makes real-world performance 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 4: AKC Urban CGC Prep (CGCU)

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 CGCU? Book a free discovery call first →

What to expect

What’s Included in Every Session

Each week builds progressively — CGCU 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 CGCU 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 CGCU test items practiced progressively with two certified trainers — individual coaching and a group setting that creates real urban distraction scenarios.
3
Practice with a clear plan each week
Take-home exercises and urban walk challenges after every session that reinforce what you’ve covered and build real-world city confidence.
4
Go at your dog’s pace — not the calendar’s
Some dogs are ready to take their official CGCU test after one session. Others benefit from going through it again. Our trainers will give you an honest read — no pressure to test before they’re truly ready.
What’s included in Obedience 4
  • 4 weekly group sessions
  • Two certified trainers present every session
  • All 10 AKC Urban CGC test items covered
  • Urban distraction scenarios: traffic, sidewalks, city noises
  • Doorway control and street crossing under control
  • Busy sidewalk and crowd manners — pedestrians at 1 ft.
  • City distraction desensitization — horns, bikes, surfaces
  • Public building work — slick floors, lobby down-stay
  • Stairs or elevator practice (owner’s choice)
  • “Ignore food on the sidewalk” impulse control
  • Transportation readiness — car, or other transit option
  • Individual coaching within the group setting
  • Take-home urban practice plan each week
  • Full mock test run-through in final week
  • Guidance on scheduling your official CGCU 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. For transportation item practice, we’ll advise on any specific setup (crate, car harness, etc.) as the class progresses.
Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The CGC (Canine Good Citizen) is tested in a controlled classroom environment. The CGCA (AKC Community Canine — Obedience 3) takes those skills into community settings. The CGCU (AKC Urban CGC) takes them into the city — traffic, buildings, stairs, and real urban distractions. Earning the CGCU proves your dog is ready for the full urban environment where they actually need to perform.
Yes — the CGC is a prerequisite for the official CGCU title, and your dog needs solid CGC-level skills to succeed in this class. If your dog has completed our Obedience 2 / CGC Prep class and passed the CGC test, they’re ready. The CGC and CGCU may actually be tested on the same day, but the dog owner should request the CGC first. If you’ve trained elsewhere, book a free discovery call and we’ll assess readiness together.
Completing Obedience 4 prepares your dog for the CGCU test — it does not automatically confer the AKC title. After the class, you’ll schedule a test with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator. When your dog passes, the evaluator provides paperwork to submit to AKC for the official CGCU title certificate. 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.
To earn the CGCU 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, we’ll help you sort it 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 urban skill. The take-home practice plans target your dog’s specific weak spots. Most dogs show steady improvement across all four weeks — and our trainers will be honest about when your dog is genuinely ready for the official CGCU test.
All group classes are held at our facility at 4396 Dixie Hwy #3, Waterford, MI 48329. Much of CGCU training takes place in outdoor urban 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.