AKC DOG PROGRAMS
TRAINING, TESTING AND TITLING
At Black Pirate Pup Co and as an AKC Evaluator, we help dog and handler teams build real-world skills, confidence, and teamwork through AKC-recognized programs including Canine Good Citizen, Trick Dog, and FIT DOG.
Whether your goal is better manners, fun confidence-building, public neutrality, fitness, or earning AKC titles, our training focuses on practical skills that transfer into everyday life.
Purebred and mixed breeds are all welcome in this type of training and titling. TVisit the links below to learn more from the AKC and then venture to our training tab to book your training to testing session!
AKC Canine Good Citizen Prep & Testing
The AKC Canine Good Citizen program is built around the foundation every well-mannered dog should have: calm behavior, basic obedience, polite greetings, handling tolerance, leash manners, and confidence around distractions.
We offer training and evaluation prep for:
- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
- AKC Canine Good Citizen — CGC
- AKC Community Canine — CGCA
- AKC Urban CGC — CGCU
This is ideal for dogs working toward better manners, therapy dog foundations, service dog foundations, or simply becoming a more reliable companion.
URBAN CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
AKC Urban CGC requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in an urban setting. As with Canine Good Citizen, AKC Urban CGC has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Urban CGC title. This is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.
AKC COMMUNITY CANINE
AKC Community Canine is the advanced level of AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. While Canine Good Citizen tests are simulations of real world skills, (e.g., dog/handler walks through a “crowd” of evaluators in a ring), the goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog’s skills in a natural setting.
AKC VIRTUAL HOME MANNERS TITLE
Virtual Home Manners (VHM) is the answer when you want to train your dog at home. When you get a puppy or new adult dog, Virtual Home Manners can get you started on practical skills before you attend a training class. The Virtual Home Manners tests assess ten skills that well-mannered pet dogs need in the home setting. The skills relate to the dog owner having control over the dog, being able to walk the dog (which is one of the most frequently cited activities that owners want to do with their dogs) and developing a bond with the dog during playtime.
AKC TRICK DOG (NOVICE-PERFORMER)
Trick training is more than cute party tricks. It builds confidence, engagement, body awareness, problem-solving, handler focus, and a stronger relationship between dog and handler.
There are five AKC Trick Titles you and your dog can earn: AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN), AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) , AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA), AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) , AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE)
AKC FIT DOG • Adventure Conditioning • Real-World Movement
At Black Pirate Pup Co, our CONDITIONED CANINES™ program was built around one core belief:
A balanced dog is not created through obedience alone.
A balanced dog is created through fulfillment, structure, movement, confidence, and purpose.
Our CONDITIONED CANINES™ program combines the framework of AKC FIT DOG with real-world adventure conditioning, nervous system regulation, environmental confidence, and functional movement training to help dogs become healthier — physically and mentally.
This is not just exercise. This is intentional conditioning for the modern dog.
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What Is CONDITIONED CANINES™?
CONDITIONED CANINES™ is our structured canine fitness and adventure program focused on developing:
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Physical conditioning
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Mental resilience
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Environmental confidence
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Nervous system regulation
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Real-world neutrality
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Handler engagement
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Functional movement
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Healthy decompression
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Pack stability and social neutrality
Many dogs today are overstimulated, underfulfilled, environmentally fragile, and mentally dysregulated.
Simply “wearing a dog out” does not create stability.
Conditioning does.
Our program teaches dogs how to move through the world with confidence, clarity, and control while building stronger relationships between dog and handler.
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AKC FIT DOG + Real-World Conditioning
Our CONDITIONED CANINES™ program follows the spirit of the AKC FIT DOG initiative while incorporating the real-world philosophy of Black Pirate Pup Co’s Quiet Precision Method™.
Dogs participating in the program may work toward:
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AKC FIT DOG Bronze
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AKC FIT DOG Silver
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AKC FIT DOG Gold
But titles are not the only goal.
The real goal is creating dogs that:
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Can exist calmly in stimulating environments
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Recover faster from stress
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Move confidently through the world
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Build endurance safely
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Learn healthy outlets for energy
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Strengthen engagement with their handler
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Develop stable social behavior around other dogs
Because a conditioned dog is a more capable dog.
Monthly CONDITIONED CANINES™ Adventure Walks
We host monthly CONDITIONED CANINES™ pack walks, fitness adventures, and structured meet-ups for approved dogs and handlers.
These are not chaotic free-for-all dog events.
Every outing is intentionally structured to reinforce:
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Calm social neutrality
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Loose leash skills
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Public manners
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Environmental confidence
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Proper canine social behavior
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Handler leadership
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Healthy decompression through movement
Our dogs learn how to coexist, not just coexist loudly.
Adventure outings may include:
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Structured pack walks
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Downtown exposure walks
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Nature trail hikes
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Beach conditioning days
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Public access training adventures
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Urban confidence walks
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Fitness-focused movement sessions
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Controlled social outings
Dogs participating must demonstrate safe, manageable behavior and appropriate social stability.
These outings are designed to continue developing dogs long after basic obedience is complete.
Because training should not end in a parking lot lesson.
The 6-Week CONDITIONED CANINES™ Course
Our signature 6-week CONDITIONED CANINES™ course focuses on creating physically capable, mentally balanced, environmentally stable dogs through progressive conditioning work.
This course combines:
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Functional movement
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Confidence building
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Real-world obedience
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Canine fitness foundations
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Structured decompression
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Nervous system regulation
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Environmental exposure
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Handler communication
Each week builds intentionally on the previous one to improve both physical conditioning and mental stability.
Satisfaction Guarantee
There is no failing when it comes to our testing. We will continually work with you and your dog until you pass any of the AKC titling tests and earn your ribbon!