AKC Virtual Programs: Opportunities Grow for At-Home Titles
AKC’s Virtual Title program offers opportunities to earn titles during the pandemic, and many owners have successfully taken advantage of them.
Just added to the line-up is Virtual Home Manners. When you get a puppy or new adult dog, this program can get you started on practical skills before you attend a training class.
The evaluation of a dog’s ability to perform 10 home manners skills will be done with video recording. Two levels of Home Manners will be offered: Virtual Home Manners Puppy (VHMP) and Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA). Dogs that pass the tests will be awarded these titles.
The tests assess 10 skills that well-mannered dogs need in the home setting and are evaluated online by AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators in the same manner that is used for Virtual Tricks. There is not an in-person VHM testing process. For all the details you need to get started, go to Virtual Home Manners.
Other virtual titling opportunities include AKC Trick Dog, AKC Rally Novice & Intermediate, Agility Course Tests, and AKC Fit Dog.
AKC has many resources to help owners train for these title opportunities and, on akc.org, you can learn about the programs available to All American Dogs as well as ways to do the best possible job in recording your videos.
“The instructions cover our most frequently asked questions or most common issues with videos, but the biggest mistake is a team performing out of the camera’s view. The camera must capture the entire performance with the entire bodies of dog and handler in view at all times,” said Pamela Manaton, AKC Director of Obedience, Rally, and Tracking. “Another mistake is when files get renamed, and the sender does not set the viewing settings to allow anyone with the link to view the video. When that happens, the judges cannot view the video to score it.”
The AKC Rally Novice and Intermediate Virtual program lets Rally competitors set up a pre-designed AKC Rally® course in an appropriate place of their choosing, record the performance, and submit it to AKC. AKC will then assign a pre-selected AKC Rally Judge to virtually review and score the team’s performance. There is a link to videos showing handlers how to perform Rally signs at all levels.
Choose from pre-designed Rally courses, five each for Novice and Intermediate levels. Just as with in-person trials, teams must earn three qualifying scores with three different courses. To participate, follow the virtual entry instructions, video record the performance, upload the video to YouTube, set the required YouTube viewing options, and submit the video link with the entry form and fee to AKC.
You can download and print every Rally sign at home, and learn each skill through instructional videos.
All five Trick Dog titles, Novice through Elite Performer, can be earned virtually. The AKC website has all rules for AKC Trick Dog titles and requirements for video submissions.
Entries are sent to AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluators. If you don’t know a CGC evaluator, you can find one here. These training videos will show you how to teach your dog some tricks.
Dogs can take the Agility Course Test (ACT) from home! Exhibitors will record their performance and submit it to AKC, and then AKC will assign a pre-selected AKC Agility Judge to virtually review and score the team’s performance.
There are two levels of ACT events – ACT1 and ACT2.
ACT1 is designed for the beginning level dog to show beginning sequencing and performance skills. ACT2 requires an increased skill level shown by the additional obstacles to be performed.
ACT2 is open to all dogs 15 months of age and older that have not earned any AKC agility titles, except for ACT1. Dogs do not have to have an ACT1 title to be entered in ACT 2. If a dog already has one leg in ACT1, they may be entered in ACT2. They do not need to complete the ACT1 title.
Visit AKC Agility ACT 1 & 2 Virtual pilot program to find courses and instructions on how to enter. Teams can stay at home or use their local training site. You can buy equipment online.
If you live somewhere where it is safe for you and your dog to get out of the house regularly to walk each day, don’t forget about the AKC’s Fit Dog program.
Check your local regulations and maintain at least 6 feet of distance from any one you may pass on your walk. This is a great activity for kids too.
For the program you and your dog commit to walking each day either:
- Walked at least 30 minutes five times per week for a total of at least 150 minutes per week for at least three months. For dogs and people in good shape.
- Walked at least 15 minutes per session at least 10 times per week (e.g., two 15-min walks per day) for at least three months. For dogs or people who would benefit from a walk that is a shorter duration, e.g., senior dogs. When you and your dog have achieved either of these benchmarks you fill out the AKC Fit Dog form and will be sent a free FitDog program magnet.