Well, you're starting out correctly. The CGC is the first thing to get. Keep working, and I'm sure you'll get that, too. As you can see below, all of my dogs have their CGC. It was their first certification!

As far as not registered with anything, there are many registeries for dogs who aren't purebreds. You just have to regsiter them. If your dog is a purebred without papers, the AKC allows something called an ILP (Indefiniate Listing Privledge (sp)). You can apply for an ILP, and it allows your dog to compete in all AKC performance events. However, you cannot compete in conformation. And, your dog must be spayed or neutered.

My American Eskimo has an ILP.