The Furry Friends Therapy Dogs group will offer the “Canine Good Citizen” test from 12:15 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Coos Bay City Hall, 500 Central Ave.  The test will be either in the parking lot under City Hall or in front of the building, depending on the weather. The test is open to the public, including drop-ins. In addition, purebreds as well as mixed breed dogs are welcome.

This American Kennel Club sponsored test is designed to ensure that the dog is well behaved around people and other dogs, at home and in public. The CGC test uses a series of basic obedience exercises to evaluate the dog’s ability to behave in an acceptable manner in public. Included among the exercises is sitting on command, walking through a crowd, coming when called and reactions to mild distractions.

The Canine Good Citizen award is one of the first AKC certificates dogs can receive and will provide an excellent foundation for all other training, a press release said. The CGC test is endorsed by state legislatures, residential communities and veterinarians. Some insurance companies rely on the CGC test for coverage of certain dog breeds. Also this test is considered the minimum qualification for therapy and service dog work.

Upon the completion of the test, owners will receive a summary sheet with the results. A certificate and CGC patch is also available, assuring the canine citizen will be registered with the AKC.

An entry fee of $10 is required. Dog handlers should bring praise for the canine, a positive attitude, a leash and a buckle or slip collar. No prong collars, head halters or harnesses are allowed during the test. For more information, those interested can contact Ramona at 269-2876 or cooshaven@msn.com, or Joanna Rand 267-6258 or joannarand@aol.com.