You're welcome, Mr. Chi.

After I wrote my last post, I realized that some people might take offense at having their CGC or TDI certifications called "kindergarten," so I thought I would expound.

There are several levels in the competition titling system. Each level requires more advanced skills to be performed more efficiently. I heard someone compare the educational system in the US to the different levels of canine competition, and I thought it was a good way to distinguish between the canine levels as well.

Looking just at the AKC titling system, we find the CGC would be your first certification (it's not an official "title"). The behaviors are very simple in comparison to the other levels, however those who have the CGC should be very proud of their accomplishment. After all, how many dogs in the world really are trained to get a CGC? Very few. Be proud of your CGC, and put it at the end of your dog's name. You can see, even though I have a dog with the equivalent of a "doctrate," I still proudly list the CGC as one of his accomplishments. It was his first. All my dogs have CGCs.

The next level would be the Novice or beginning level. Getting one of these titles would be equivalent to graduating elementary school. These titles are not difficult to achieve. In AKC obedience, the CD (Companion Dog) is the novice level title. In AKC agility, the NA (Novice Agility) or NAJ (Novice Agility Jumpers) are the novice level titles.

After your dogs have graduated elementary school with their novice titles, you move into Open. Open is the intermediate level. These titles are more difficult to achieve. Your dog has to do more advanced behaviors and perform them with more accuracy. It would be like graduating from high school. AKC's Open obedience title is CDX (Companion Dog Excellent). AKC's Open level titles in agility are OA (Open Agility) and OAJ (Open Agility Jumpers.

After graduating from high school, your dog is ready for college. These titles are getting pretty prestigious. When dog people see these titles, they know you have trained your dog to a high level. The college equivilant in obedience would be UD (Utility Dog). The equivalent in agility are AX (Agility Excellent) and AXJ (Agility Excellent Jumpers. If you see these titles, you know the dog is doing very well.

After graduating college, the dog goes on to graduate school. The requirements can be stricter and it takes longer to get these titles. These are great titles, and owners celebrate these titles when their dogs achieve them. The obedince title is UDX (Utility Dog Excellent). The agility titles are MX (Master Agility) and MXJ (Master Agility Excellent). The "Masters" designation equals the same designation in the human educational system.

Then, comes the doctorate degree. These are the ultimate titles. There are no greater titles a dog can earn. These titles take great skill. In obedience, this title shows the dog has beaten many other dogs in competition. In agility, this title shows a combination of speed and accuracy. These titles are so important that they go at the FRONT of the dog's name, and not behind it. These are the Championship titles. In obedience, the title is OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion). In agility, the title is MACH (Master Agility Champion).

So, don't be upset that your CGC is graduating kindergarten. What a great start for your dog! Even if that's all you'll ever do with your dog, you've done mroe than almost anyone you probably know. Give your dog a hug and a kiss and always proudly display the CGC initials!