AKC Trick Dog

There are 2 ways to earn AKC Trick Dog titles. After teaching your dog the tricks on the checklist for the title:

1. You can do in-person testing with an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator. The Title Application and Checklist for the particular title(s) you are applying for should be sent to AKC. **NEW*** AKC now offers a quick and easy way to submit your Trick Dog Title Application! Try the new –Title Application Portal (TAP) System. 
2. You can have your tricks tested virtually by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator.

For help finding an evaluator for in-person or virtual testing, email cgc@akc.org

GRANDFATHERED TITLES FROM DMWYD
As of January 3, 2022, AKC will no longer grandfather trick dog titles from
other organizations.

For more information about the Trick Dog Program check out our Frequently Asked Questions at
http://images.akc.org/pdf/TD.FREQUENTLY_ASKED_QUESTIONS.noGrndfdate.pdf

Your dog must have an AKC number via one of the following:

• AKC Registration Number – This number is provided to a dog owner via a registration certificate received from the previous owner, or via a puppy registration paper given to the new owner by the breeder.
• Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) – If a dog is purebred but an AKC Registration Number is not possible, owners can apply for PAL number.
• AKC Canine Partners Number – This number is given to either mixed breed dogs or a purebred.
  

While dogs may begin training for trick titles as puppies, the earliest an AKC Trick Dog title will be awarded by AKC is 4 months.

To be eligible for the AKC Trick Dog Novice Title, your dog must have been observed by a CGC Evaluator doing 10 tricks from the list of accepted tricks. If you have a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record, you may count the CGC as 5 of the required tricks. This is called “CGC + 5”.

To be eligible for the AKC Intermediate Trick Dog, your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks. In Intermediate Trick Dog, with the exception of a few tricks, you will fade the lures that were permitted at the Novice level. See the list of tricks here.

To be eligible for the AKC Trick Dog Advanced Title, your dog must have been observed by a CGC Evaluator doing 10 tricks from the list of accepted tricks, and must have previously earned the Novice and Intermediate Trick Dog Titles. CGC is not required.

To be eligible for the AKC Trick Dog Performer Title, your dog must have been observed by a CGC Evaluator doing ten tricks from the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced titles, and must include at least two Intermediate Tricks and two Advanced Tricks. Your dog must also have previously earned the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Trick Dog Titles. CGC is not required. In this event, your routine may have a story (e.g., “This is my dog Princess. Princess loves school–here’s what she does at school. She plays ball on the playground, and then she takes a nap,” etc.) See the full list of regulations and get the application here.

To be eligible for the AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer, in the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script. At least 5 props are used and at least 5 tricks must be from the Performer level of Trick Dog. See the requirements here.

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