Trick Dogs

The Trick Dog Competition is an exciting new ANKC discipline that became an official event in January 2020. Developed by members of the Dances With Dogs discipline, the intention of Trick Dogs is to encourage handlers to teach their dogs skills and to display behaviours in a positive environment.

Trick Dog Competition classes are:

Starter Class: The handler selects six (6) tricks which the dog enjoys doing from a list of fifteen (15) and following training the handler and dog team compete to gain their Trick Dog Starter title.

Novice Class: as the dog and handler gain more experience the Tricks are more difficult and the number of Tricks increases to eight (8).

Intermediate Class: requires eight (8) Tricks for competition and each Trick is more difficult in execution and duration.

Advanced Class: the dog is required to perform a selection of ten (10) Advanced Tricks from a list of twenty-five (25) Trick descriptions.

As many of the tricks are simply an extension of basic obedience training, teaching your dog foundation Tricks can parallel your dog’s training.  Teaching your dog tricks must be fun. You can teach your dog many tricks, but your dog must truly be enjoying itself.  Sessions should be short and fun for both dog and handler.

The ANKC Trick Dog Rules are designed in such a way that handlers and dogs of all abilities are able to compete and enjoy themselves.

♦ ANKC Trick Dog Test Rules
♦ Guide to Set Up and Performing Trick Dog Tests