The Gloucester Kennel Club will offer its Canine Good Citizen prep course later this year. The class begins Oct. 1 and will be held from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on four consecutive Thursdays.

The class will be held at the GKC property at 10360 Woods Cross Road, Gloucester. All training classes will maintain social distancing with masks required.

This four-week class will focus on the 10 criteria to pass the AKC CGC test. The first three classes will teach the skills necessary to pass the test with the test given on the fourth week by AKC CGC evaluators. Dogs do not need to be purebred, but they do need to be registered with AKC. AKC does register mixed breed dogs so that they are eligible to compete in AKC sporting events like rally, agility, scent work, fast cat, tricks, CGC and obedience.

There are many advantages to having your dog complete the CGC test as stated on the AKC website: “Beyond the bonding, there are practical benefits to CGC training. Not only will you and your do...