Trick Dog Titles
What are Trick Dog titles?
Trick dog titles are a fun and rewarding way to showcase the incredible abilities and skills of your pupper. These titles are achieved through the successful completion of a series of trained tricks and behaviours, demonstrating your dog’s intelligence, versatility, and the strong bond you share.
The concept of trick dog titles is part of the Do More With Your Dog program, an innovative approach to dog training that emphasizes positive reinforcement, communication, and teamwork. This program offers various levels of trick dog titles, ranging from novice to advanced, allowing you and your dog to progress at your own pace while mastering an exciting array of tricks.
Each trick dog title is a testament to your dog’s dedication, your training expertise, and the unique relationship you’ve built. As a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, I can witness your dog’s tricks so you can earn your title.
Novice Trick Dog - NTD
The starting point for most dogs, this level focuses on foundational tricks and behaviours, setting the stage for further development.
Requirements:
Earn your NTD title by performing 15 tricks from the list below. For the Novice title, tricks do not have to be perfect. Do not physically manipulate the dog into a trick. Treats and toys
may be used as a lure, but on no more than 50% of the tricks. Advanced and Expert tricks count as two tricks, but only if they do not use luring.
- 2 On/2 Off
- Back Up Chute
- Balance Beam
- Balance Cookie on Nose
- Bang Game (smack a board)
- Bar Jump
- Biscuit Under the Sofa
- Boing!
- Bow Under a Magic Square
- Catch a Ball/Toy
- Cavaletti Arc
- Come
- Crawl
- Disc Rollers
- Down
- Drop It
- Fetch (Bring it Near Me)
- Find Hidden Treats
- Focus
- Front
- Hand Signals (3 Behaviors)
- Head Cock
- Hide and Seek (Find Me)
- Hoop Jump
- Jump Over My Knee
- Kennel Up
- Kisses
- Laundry Basket
- Leave It/ Food Refusal
- Loose-Leash Walking
- Memory Game (3 Baskets)
- Muffin Tin Game
- Paws in a Box
- Paws on My Arm
- Paws Up on an Object
- Peekaboo/Center Position
- Platform Jump
- Popcorn Bobbing
- Push-ups
- Rainbow Ladder (Trot Through)
- Ride in a Wagon
- Ring a Bell to Go Outside
- Roll Out the Carpet
- Send to Pedestal/ Mat
- Sing / Howl
- Sit
- Smile
- Sneeze
- Speak (Bark on Cue)
- Spin Circles
- Spinner Wheel
- Stacking (for conformation)
- Stand
- Stay
- Take It
- Target disc (Nose Touch)
- Target Stick (Nose Touch)
- Touch My Hand (Nose Touch)
- Treadmill (sustained trot)
- Tug a Toy
- Tunnel
- Volleyball
- Wall Stand
- Which Hand Holds the Treat?
- Wobble Board
Intermediate Trick Dog - ITD
Building on the basics, this level introduces more complex tricks and encourages enhanced coordination and communication.
Requirements:
Earn your ITD by performing 12 tricks from the list below. You may re-use a trick for multiple titles. Tricks must be taught with positive methods. Handler may not physically manipulate the dog into a trick. Each title must be earned in order; NTD before ITD. Treats/toys may be used as a lure on no more than 25% of tricks. Advanced and Expert tricks count as two tricks if not lured.
- 2 On/2 Off Peanut
- 2-on/2-off Pull Back on
- A-frame
- Balance on a Block
- Balance on Top of a Ball
- Baton Jumping
- Bead Maze
- Blowing Bubbles in Water Bowl
- Carry my Bag
- Chute Tunnel
- Close the Door
- Crawl Tunnel
- Dig
- Directional Casting
- Disc Catch
- Discern Objects’ Names
- Emergency Stop
- Fetch-to-Hand
- Figure-8’s Through My Legs
- Flyball Box
- Turn/Slant Board
- Go Around
- Hand Signals (6 Behaviours)
- Heart / Nose Boop
- Hold Object in Mouth (5 sec.)
- Honk a Bike Horn
- Hoop Jump over another dog’s back
- Jump Through My Circled Arms
- Jump Wraps
- Leg Weave
- Lick Lips
- Litter in the Waste Basket
- Look Left/Look Right
- Mail Carrier (take note to someone)
- Nose-Touch (Sustained 4 sec)
- Open a Door (by tugging it)
- Paper-Covered Hoop
- Paw Wrap Around Object
- Pawprint Painting
- Peekaboo (remain between my legs while I walk)
- Pick a Card from a Deck
- Platform jump with hoop
- Pull on a Rope
- Rainbow Ladder (Front Paws Only)
- Roll Over
- Secret
- Selfie
- Shake Hands
- Shake Your Head “No”
- Shell Game (Nose at Correct Cup)
- Side Step Drill
- Sit Pretty / Beg
- Soccer (Push a Ball)
- Stay (Out of Sight)
- Target Mark (Foot Touch)
- Treibball Counter (continually remains on opposite side)
- Upright Walking (Assisted)
- Whisper
Advanced Trick Dog - ATD
At this level, your dog’s skills become even more impressive, showcasing their ability to master intricate tricks and sequences.
Requirements:
Earn your title by performing 5 tricks from the list below. You may re-use a trick for multiple titles. Tricks must be taught with positive methods. Handler may not physically manipulate the dog into a trick. Each title must be earned in order; ITD before ATD. Treats/toys may be used as a lure on no more than 25% of tricks. Advanced and Expert tricks count as two tricks if not lured.
- Arm Weaves
- Back Stall
- Back Up
- Bark the Answer
- Barrel Racing (Go Around 3 Objects)
- Bow
- Broad Jump
- Canicross
- Chorus Line Kicks
- Clothesline
- Cornhole Bean Bag Game
- Cover Handler with Blanket
- Directed Retrieve
- Distance Work (3 behaviors, 10 ft /3m away. OK to treat between each)
- Dock Diving
- Double Hoop Circle
- Drop on Recall
- Flag Wave
- Flamingo/ Jump
- Through Circled Leg
- Food Retrieval
- Football (American)
- Footsies (peekaboo with paws on my feet)
- Get the Phone When It Rings
- Get Your Leash
- Half Reverse/Scoot
- Head Down
- Heel with Automatic
- Sit
- Hide Your Head
- Under Something
- Hide Yourself
- Hug a toy or object
- Jump into My Arms
- Jump Over My Back
- Mail from the Mailbox
- Maypole
- Ninja Roll
- Paintbrush Painting
- Piano
- Pick up flat item and give to handler
- Pickpocket Pooch
- Place (circle to my left side)
- Play Dead
- Pounce
- Pull a Wagon (pull with mouth)
- Rainbow Ladder (Back Paws Only)
- Rebound
- Remove socks/slippers
- Say Your Prayers
- Side (swing to my left side)
- Side Pass/ Crab Walk
- Side Step Drill (ball or flying disc)
- Skateboard (front paws only)
- Spin a Tight Circle on a Small Pedestal
- Spin While Holding a Hoop
- Surfing/Paddleboarding
- Tap Light
- Target Mark (Rear Foot Touch)
- Teeter-Totter
- Tidy Up Toys into Toy Box (no lid)
- Time Out Corner
- Treibball (brings ball 4 ft/1m)
- Triangle (Musical Instrument)
- Turn Book Page
- Turn off Lightswitch
- Walk Another Dog on a Leash
- Wave
- Weight Pull
- Wipe Your Paws on Doormat
- Xylophone
- Yes/No Buttons
How it works
- Confirm your dog can do the required number of tricks from the list(s) above.
- Book a video appointment with me and demonstrate the tricks.
- If you’re successful, I’ll sign-off and send in for your Certificate and Ribbon.
What you get
- Evaluation & training tips
- Paper Certificate
- Ribbon
- Shipping
- Bragging rights
Earning trick dog titles goes beyond showcasing your dog’s impressive abilities!
Strengthened Bond: Training for trick dog titles involves positive interactions, communication, and trust-building. Your dog learns to read your cues and you learn to understand their responses, deepening the bond between you both.
Mental Stimulation: Engaging your dog in trick training challenges their mind, preventing boredom and promoting mental agility. Dogs love to learn, and mastering new tricks keeps them sharp and focused.
Physical Exercise: Many tricks involve physical movement and coordination, providing a fun way to keep your dog active and fit. This can be especially beneficial for dogs with excess energy.
Socialization Opportunities: Practicing tricks in various settings exposes your dog to different environments, people, and distractions, helping them become more adaptable and confident.
Showcase Unique Talents: Trick dog titles allow your dog to showcase their individual strengths and abilities. It’s a chance to celebrate their personality and stand out in a crowd.
Sense of Achievement: Just like humans, dogs feel a sense of accomplishment when they master a new skill. Earning trick dog titles provides a tangible reward for their hard work and effort.
Community and Fun: The journey towards trick dog titles opens doors to a vibrant community of fellow dog enthusiasts. Participate in events, share experiences, and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.
Memorable Moments: The joy of seeing your dog perform tricks is immeasurable. Whether it’s for your personal enjoyment or entertaining others, these moments create lasting memories.
By embarking on the adventure of earning trick dog titles, you’re not only enriching your dog’s life but also your own.
