UKC SPOT Test

Please read the evaluator guidelines and participant guidelines.

This is UKC's version of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test. Dogs do not need a UKC number to participate.

Test items are as follows:

1. Loose leash walking: The dog walks beside the handler in pre-set pattern on a loose leash without pulling.

2. Leave It: Serpentine between 2 and 4 distraction items (toys).

3. Doorway manners: The dog waits calmly at a door instead of rushing through.

4. Loading/unloading: Load the dog into a kennel, latch it closed. Distraction team (dog + handler) walks past kennel 2 times. Unload dog from kennel.

5. Moving dog distraction: You + your dog pass a distraction team twice.

6. Manners with distraction: Part 1: You sit in a chair with dog nearby. Distraction team approaches. Part 2: You put your dog in a stay, fold up your chair, and put it away 15 feet from the dog.

7. Greeting stranger: Evaluator approaches and greets you + dog, no jumping or cowering.

8. Sit/down: Sit and down.

9. Grooming exam: The dog allows a stranger or evaluator to touch and inspect its body (paws, ears, coat) calmly. This is more intensive than CGC. Read protocol beforehand.

10. Stay/come on command: Leave dog in sit, down, or stand, walk 10 feet, call dog.

Test Results:

The UKC SPOT tests dogs on 10 items. Unlike CGC, it is not "pass" or "fail." Each test item is graded as:

• Outstanding

• Super

• Good

• Needs Practice

  
  

Dogs that receive a "good" or higher on all 10 items pass the test (SPOT title). Dogs receiving this title will get a flat ribbon.

Dogs that receive "outstanding" on all 10 items receive a special designation (SPOT-ON title), for which we have rosettes.

Participating in this event does not guarantee a "pass"

A dog already designated as a SPOT dog may re-test at any time to achieve the SPOT-ON rating except that no dog may be tested more than once per day.

Gear:

Dogs may only be evaluated on

• Flat/buckle collar

• Slip collar

• Martingale

• Standard harness

• Head halter

• Gentle leader

• Prong collar

AND

• a 4–6 foot leash

Prohibited Gear:

• No-pull harnesses

• Slip leads (a collar and leash of all one piece)

• Retractable leashes

• Treats

• Toys