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 [...]

Teaching tricks is a great way for dog owners to have fun with their dogs. Tricks are best taught using positive reinforcement and the behavioral procedure called “shaping” where successive approximations to a desired behavior are reinforced. Here is a trick that lends itself to being taught at home because it will most likely involve [...]

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 [...]

Attention AKC Trick Dogs! We are pleased to announce the 2024 Virtual AKC Trick Dog National Competition. AKC Elite Performer Trick Dogs everywhere can participate in this exciting annual event. How it works: Submit a video of your dog’s AKC Trick Dog routine. As long as your dog has the Elite Performer Trick Dog title [...]

***NEW*** AKC now offers a quick and easy way to submit your Trick Dog Title Application! Try the new - Title Application Portal (TAP) System.  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 [...]

We are pleased to provide you with some examples of outstanding Elite Performer Trick Dogs as they perform for audiences. Sharon Page and “Dash” <Click for Video Sharon Page was the AKC Trick Dog’s judge at the first trick dog event at the 2018 AKC National Championship in Orlando. Here is a link to [...]

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.

Boone of the Big House BN RE CGC TKE owned by Sandra Muench of Plant City, FL Found wandering in Georgia, Boone, a 14-month-old probable pointer/Catahoula mix, was emaciated with evidence that showed he had been tied outside. He was fostered through a Florida rescue group before adoption. After seeing his online photo and [...]

Hailey and her owner New York resident Karen Profenna were a wonderful team and not only were successful  in dog sport competitions, but also brought cheer to thousands through their therapy dog work. Hailey’s achievements included winning the top scoring All-American Dog at this year’s Westminster Master Agility Championship. The Beagle- Boston Terrier [...]

In 2018, when Tanis was 3 years old, the Rapoza family received a text message with a photo from Debby Chaplic of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. They had a coonhound-beagle mix with “their name written all over her.” The Rapoza family went with a leash to the shelter and returned home with Skippy. “Tanis and [...]

Congratulations to Flopdoodle Chloe Bean THDN RATS CGC TKE VHMA, owned by Christina and Gary Jones of Odessa, FL, on being the winner of the 6th annual AKC National Trick Dog Competition! Chloe is an All American Dog adopted by Christina and Gary from a city shelter on November 13, 2018. This 6th Annual competition was a [...]

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 [...]

Meet Allison Coolidge: Dog Training is her World Name: Allison Coolidge Age: 17 Hometown: Stuart, FL Grade: 11th Family: Parents, Jeannie and Rick; sister, Melissa, and brother, Ryan Allison was 9 years old when her family adopted Dharma -- Allison’s first dog. They started training for agility using furniture in the house, until Allison’s father [...]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, and Tracking. Many of you have had great success taking advantage of AKC’s Virtual Titling programs too!   Agility Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Multiple Master Agility Champions Congratulations to these dogs [...]