As passionate Golden Retriever breeders, we don’t just focus on producing beautiful, healthy puppies—we’re committed to setting them (and you!) up for long-term success as confident, well-mannered companions. One of the best ways we’ve found to support that goal is by encouraging our puppy families to pursue early American Kennel Club (AKC) titles like Puppy STAR, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), and Virtual Home Manners.
These programs aren’t about ribbons and bragging rights—they’re about developing a strong foundation of trust, communication, and socialization between you and your dog. As breeders, it brings us immense pride to see our puppies grow into confident, trainable adults, and AKC programs are a great tool to guide that journey.
⭐ What Are AKC Titles, and Why Do They Matter?
The American Kennel Club offers a variety of programs and certifications that focus on responsible dog ownership, basic manners, and social behavior. For puppies and young dogs, these titles create achievable milestones that reward positive progress and help build strong bonds with their families.
These programs are open to all dogs—purebred or mixed breed—and serve as a wonderful structure for training and enrichment.
🐶 Our Favorite AKC Programs for Puppy Families
🐾 AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
Learn More Here →
The S.T.A.R. Puppy Program (Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility) is designed for puppies under 1 year old. It emphasizes positive training and social skills. The program culminates in a simple evaluation by a certified AKC instructor and is a fantastic stepping stone to more advanced training.
We love this program because it encourages:
- Socialization with other people and puppies
- Leash manners
- Basic commands (sit, down, come)
- Owner education on responsible puppy care
We begin preparing our litters for these skills even before they leave our home, making it easier for you to succeed with your puppy.
🎖 AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Learn More Here →
The CGC is one of the most respected obedience and behavior titles a dog can earn. It’s often a gateway to therapy dog work, service training, or just being an exceptionally well-behaved family companion.
It tests:
- Walking politely on leash
- Accepting grooming and handling
- Reacting calmly to distractions
- Coming when called
- Staying focused in a public setting
Many therapy dog organizations (including those we’ve partnered with) require CGC certification as a prerequisite. If you’re interested in community visits or volunteering with your Golden, this is a must!
🏠 Virtual Home Manners (VHM)
Learn More Here →
For those who may not have access to in-person classes, the Virtual Home Manners titles are a fantastic option. These programs allow you to demonstrate your puppy’s good manners in a home environment via video.
The Puppy and Adult VHM titles cover:
- Crate training
- Greeting visitors politely
- Meal and feeding behavior
- Walking calmly indoors
- Handling and grooming at home
This is a great stepping stone if you’re building confidence with your dog at home before heading into public training environments.
🧡 How These Titles Prepare Therapy Dog Teams
As breeders of Golden Retrievers—many of whom go on to become certified therapy dogs—we know how crucial a solid foundation is. Programs like S.T.A.R. Puppy and CGC provide that groundwork by building social skills, impulse control, and trust between dog and handler.
Therapy dogs must be calm, well-mannered, and responsive in new environments. These AKC titles are often required (or highly recommended) by therapy dog organizations, and they ensure that dogs can:
- Handle the excitement of meeting new people
- Tolerate being touched or approached unexpectedly
- Remain calm in unfamiliar or busy places (like hospitals or schools)
- Work in partnership with their handler
Earning these titles early builds the confidence and structure necessary for therapy work—and helps you and your dog work as a unified team.
💬 Final Thoughts from Our Breeding Program
We put great care into raising puppies who are healthy, confident, and eager to learn. From early socialization to crate training and introduction to basic commands, our work doesn’t stop when puppies go home—it continues through the experiences you create with them.
Whether you choose to pursue a Puppy STAR, CGC, or VHM title, we’re here to cheer you on and answer questions along the way. These programs build confidence, connection, and communication—and we promise, they’re as rewarding for you as they are for your dog.
Let’s raise the bar for what a well-rounded, well-loved Golden Retriever can be.
For more on the programs mentioned, visit www.akc.org.