NEW Online Trick Dog Title Application Portal Tips: Writing Elite Performer Scripts Participant and Evaluator Guide Training Book Collection Canine Good Citizen

2026 Annual AKC Trick Dog Competition It’s that time again!  We are pleased to announce the 2026 virtual AKC Trick Dog Competition. ENTRIES OPEN: Saturday, August 1, 2026 DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES:  Thursday, October 1, 2026 RULES for ADULT HANDLERS (U.S.) (click for rules) RULES for JUNIOR HANDLERS (U.S.) (click for rules) RULES for INTERNATIONAL HANDLERS (click for rules [...]

***NEW*** AKC now offers a quick and easy way to submit your Trick Dog Title Application! Try the new - Title Application Portal (TAP) System.  From the 1920’s and 1940’s when trick dogs such as Rin Tin Tin and Lassie won peoples’ hearts, trick dog training has become one of the most exciting new areas [...]

NEW Online Trick Dog Title Application Portal (Feb 2022) AKC Launches Inaugural Trick Dog Virtual Competition (Sept 2019) AKC ANNOUNCES AKC TRICK DOG ELITE PERFORMER The AKC Trick Dog department is pleased to announce the newest, most advanced level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performer. In Performer, handlers were given the option of doing a routine that [...]

OUR TRICK DOG PROGRAM IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY AND WE HAVE BEGUN TO PROCESS TITLES. THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN AMAZING! THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE NEW AKC TRICK DOG PROGRAM! FOR ANY INQUIRIES PLEASE CALL 919-816-3819 OR EMAIL: TRICKDOG@AKC.ORG. ***GRANDFATHERING ALLOWED FOR HIGHER DMWYD TITLES***  **Be sure to include both the [...]

It’s That Time Again to Get Ready for the 2024 AKC Trick Dog National Competition! It’s Virtual! You could win Best Trick Dog for Your Breed! We are excited to announce the AKC Trick Dog National Competition for 2024. All AKC Trick Dogs who have earned the Elite Performer title can enter the competition. As [...]

Trick Dog Titles: The Hamilton of Dog Training Many years and many pounds ago, I was all about ballet dancing. I loved ballet and at that time, had no use for tap, modern dance or jazz. I was a dance traditionalist and couldn’t see the value in a dance form that didn’t involve [...]

Mary R. Burch, PhD Canine Good Citizen Director Here in the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen department, we receive frequent requests from trainer and dog owners who want us to expand the menu of fun things people can do with their dogs. Trick training is becoming increasingly popular and many evaluators teach a few tricks [...]

Gaia is in her Halloween costume, posing with this trick-or-treat loot, but her owner, Bibi McCormick of Cary, NC, does not plan for her to eat any as chocolate and many ingredients found in candy are not good for dogs. Gaia is a 2-year-old mixed breed who is a member of the AKC Canine Partners [...]

AKC Canine Partners member Faust holds the title of Intermediate Trick Dog (ITD) through the Do More With Your Dog! program. Faust’s owner Jennifer McLean, a Louisiana resident, has taught Faust dozens of tricks and does not plan to stop adding on skills until he achieves the most advanced title of Expert Trick Dog [...]

Hailey Has Plenty of Tricks Up Her Paws Baseballs, basketballs, skateboards and Frisbees – most parents invest in plenty of these items for their kids. And in Karen Profenna’s case, that includes her four-legged family member. Hailey – a little black-and-white fireball – can swing a bat, dunk a basketball, ride a skateboard and soar into the [...]

Penson’s Agile Archduck TKE owned by Sophie Penson of Marietta, GA   Sophie Penson is a junior in high school and Ducky is a rescued border collie mix who took to trick training naturally and amazes Sophie every day with how quickly she learns new things. “Ducky has absolutely changed my life and has gotten [...]

Flopdoodle Chloe Bean TKE owned by Christina and Gary Jones of Cibolo, TX Christina and Gary adopted Chloe from a local city shelter on November 13, 2018. She weighed just over four pounds. After they brought her home and nursed her to health, she became a happy, healthy, 10-pound dog. Christina began teaching her basic commands and [...]

Sugar Creek's Original CGC TKA CA FM owned by Tammy Bennett of Rock Hill, SC Sugar just celebrated her 18th birthday, on July 4. The above picture was taken last year, a couple of months before her 17th birthday, earning her CA title at a Coursing Ability Test in Charlotte, NC. Sugar was Tammy’s flyball [...]

One-year-old mixed-breed, Jade, has an amazing array of tricks up her paw for such a young age! Mixed-breed dogs can join the American Kennel Club through the AKC Canine Partners program for all dogs, including rescues.

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Moreof you continue to enjoy success taking advantage of AKC’s Virtual Titling programs too! AGILITY AGCH (Agility Grand Champion) AGCH MACH4 Sassy RAE2 MXB2 PDS MJC PJS [...]