The Reading Room • Family Dog Guides
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy: Your Puppy's First Title
S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility — and it's the on-ramp to everything else in the AKC Family Dog program. If you've got a puppy under a year old, this is where you start.
Here's what makes it different from the other titles: half the test is about you. Six of the twenty steps evaluate owner behaviors — things like keeping up with vaccines, having an exercise plan, and showing up to class. AKC's philosophy is that a good puppy starts with a committed owner.
The test itself is gentle. Food lures are allowed, the bar is “age-appropriate puppy behavior,” and it's administered at the end of a six-week class — not sprung on you cold. Most puppies who attend class regularly pass without drama.
Earning this title? Create your free ThePetAdvisor account — log it, track your dog’s progress, and find testing near you.
Requirements
- Owner behaviors (6): maintain puppy's health (vaccines, exams); sign the Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge; describe an adequate daily play and exercise plan; attend at least 6 classes with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator; bring cleanup bags to class; have ID on the puppy (collar tag, etc.)
- Puppy behaviors (5): free of aggression toward people during class; free of aggression toward other puppies; tolerates collar or harness; allows owner to hug/hold; allows owner to take away a treat or toy
- Pre-CGC behaviors (9): accepts petting from a stranger; allows brief handling/exam (ears, feet); walks on leash in a straight line (15 steps); walks past other people on leash; sits on command (food lure OK); downs on command (food lure OK); comes when called from 5 feet; reacts appropriately to distractions at 15 feet; stays on leash with another person while owner walks 10 steps away and returns
- Puppies must be under one year old at the time of the test (check with your evaluator on exact age cutoffs).
Test items can be updated by AKC — confirm the current list with your evaluator before test day. Source: AKC official page.
How to earn it
- Step 1: Find a S.T.A.R. Puppy class near you — look for an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator offering puppy classes at a local training club.
- Step 2: Attend at least 6 weekly classes with your puppy. This is where the real learning happens, for both of you.
- Step 3: Practice the basics at home between classes: sit, down, come, loose-leash walking, and calm greetings.
- Step 4: Take the 20-step test, administered by your evaluator at the end of the class session.
- Step 5: Submit your paperwork to AKC. Your puppy earns the S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction — and you're set up perfectly for CGC next.
Find testing near you
Many conformation dog shows offer CGC, Trick Dog, and Fetch testing right on the show grounds — sometimes you can literally walk up ringside, pay the fee, and get evaluated the same day. Check the premium list for any show you’re attending, or ask the show secretary. Training clubs and stand-alone test days run year-round too.
Frequently asked questions
What age does my puppy need to be for S.T.A.R. Puppy?
Puppies must be under one year old when tested. Most classes accept puppies as young as 8–10 weeks (after initial vaccines) — the earlier you start socialization, the better.
Do I need an AKC-registered puppy?
No. S.T.A.R. Puppy is open to all puppies, including mixed breeds. No AKC number is required for the puppy distinction itself.
Can I use treats during the test?
Yes — food lures are explicitly allowed for sit, down, and other exercises. This is a puppy test, not an obedience trial.
What happens if my puppy doesn't pass?
Keep training and try again. The test is designed to be achievable for puppies who attended class regularly — most pass on the first try.
Is S.T.A.R. Puppy required before CGC?
No, it's not a prerequisite. But the skills overlap heavily, so puppies who complete S.T.A.R. walk into CGC prep with a big head start.
How much does it cost?
It varies by club — typically the cost of a 6-week puppy class ($100–$200 in most areas), with the test included at the end.
Track your dog’s Family Dog journey
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