Which Title(s) Will You Earn?
Earn your AKC/CKC recognized title by demonstrating a set number of tricks
from a checklist of many tricks.
As a CTDI, you may demonstrate your tricks for me
live or via video to qualify to earn your title.
Trick Dog Titles
Novice Trick Dog
Earn your NTD title by performing 15 tricks
for a Certified Trick Dog Instructor.
For the Novice title, tricks do not have to be perfect.
Do not physically manipulate the dog into a trick.
Treats and toys may be used as a lure, but on
no more than 50% of the tricks.
Advanced and Expert tricks count as two tricks.
Intermediate Trick Dog
Earn your ITD title by performing 12 tricks (Adv/Exp tricks count as
2 tricks) for a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI),
either in-person or by video.
CTDIs have discretion to take into account
the dog’s age and characteristics.
You may re-use a trick for multiple titles.
Tricks must be taught with positive methods.
Handler may not physically manipulate the dog into a trick.
Each title must be earned in order; NTD is the prerequisite to ITD.
Titles are recognized by AKC and CKC.
Disabled/Senior/ Service Dogs: We support your goal and
are happy to work with you to establish alternate criteria.
Treats/toys may be used as a lure on no more than 25% of tricks.
Advanced and Expert tricks count as two tricks.
Advanced Trick Dog
Earn your ATD title by performing 5 Advanced or higher tricks.
All off-leash.
A pointed finger is OK, but no treat or toy lures.
Handler may give multiple cues, but may not badger the dog,
nor hover over or crowd the dog.
Expert Trick Dog
Earn your ETD title by performing 5 Expert tricks.
All off-leash.
A pointed finger is OK, but no treat or toy lures.
Handler may give multiple cues, but may not badger the dog, nor hover over or crowd the dog.
Trick Dog Masters Titles
Novice Trick Dog Masters
Intermediate Trick Dog Masters
Prerequisite is your dog’s Novice Trick Dog (NTD) title
Demonstrate 30 Novice level tricks for a Certified
Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI). They must be Novice tricks
and not other levels.
Advanced Trick Dog Masters
Demonstrate 20 Intermediate level tricks. They must be
Intermediate tricks and not other levels.
Expert Trick Dog Masters
Demonstrate 10 Expert level tricks.
They must be Expert tricks and not other levels.
Demonstrate 10 Advanced level tricks.
They must be Advanced tricks and not other levels.
Specialty Titles
Alphabet Challenge
Submit 26 tricks, starting with each letter of the alphabet, in any language. (If your language has more than 26 letters, then you should do more than 26 tricks). There are no official criteria for difficulty or trick description. Use your dog's skills and your creativity to fulfill the challenge. You can make up your own tricks. There are no prerequisites.
20 Dog Tricks One Prop
Submit 20 tricks using one prop (such as a ball, flying disc, or hoop). You can use different versions of the prop (such as a tennis ball and soccer ball) in for the title. Your title certificate will list the prop. You may get multiple titles (one for Ball, and one for Hoop). There are no prerequisites.