ABC certificate?

[Gretchen]

Ever since I've been on this website, I have noticed so many titles that dogs can get through training and various competitions. So I looked them up on the AKC website, but did not find one that our new trainer uses - "ABC" certificate which stands for A Behaved Canine, which states it is a test to evaluate the skills/knowledge of the owner and dog at the intermediate level. Many of you have the CGC certificate which seems to be nationally recognized. Through a search on this website and the internet I could not find and "ABC" certificate other than with this specific trainer. I feel that if we were to work towards any certificate, the Canine Good Citizen seems to make more sense. Our trainer charges a fee to get the ABC certificate, wondering if this is worthwhile or a way for the trainer to earn extra money? The ABC seems to focus more on skills vs the CGC which has more focus on socialization. Sorry if this is a weird question, its just that with my dog I have such an emotional attachment it is hard to make objective decisions. Thanks for your input.

[Elaine]

Never heard of this so I'm guessing this is his own made up certificate. If it requires your dog to have some skill, no reason not to go for it.

[selzer]

Well, it depends. If you NEED an ABC to get into advanced obedience, rally, agility, etc, classes with that trainer, than it will actually get you farther than a CGC.

But you can take your CGC anywhere, and I wish more classes would require a CGC for advanced classes. I mean if you are going for advanced rally, and you have dogs charging you, or they are having troubles getting the dog to sit or down.