My dog is very nervous around other dogs and is often frightened around people he doesn’t know. As you can imagine, because of the spectators and fellow competitors, competing in many dog sports is a challenge. We trained in agility for years as part of his confidence-building program, but competition was not in the cards. It didn’t bring him the joy I had hoped for, so I had to let that go. However, I still wanted to give us a goal to strive for, even if he was only competing against himself.
Earning trick titles with Do More With Your Dog!, the official sanctioning and organizing body for the sport of dog tricks, was exactly the experience we were looking for. Kyra Sundance, renowned stunt dog trainer, performer, and author, created "Do More With Your Dog!" to encourage people to integrate their dogs into their lives in different ways through positive training. The organization allows you to earn trick certificates or titles at various levels of difficulty by training your dog to do a variety of established tricks.
There are five levels of trouble you can progress in the direction of, from Novice Trick Dog as far as possible up to Trick Dog Champion. Each level has a set rundown of satisfactory traps. Keeping in mind the end goal to fit the bill for a particular level, your puppy must finish a specific number of traps from that level's rundown. Each level expands on the one underneath, so you should accomplish the beginner level before you and your canine are qualified for the middle of the road level, et cetera.
There are 101 tricks to choose from, so you should be able to easily find tricks that suit your dog’s size and style. My toy-size dog won’t be climbing a ladder any time soon, and he doesn’t enjoy playing fetch, but he’s great at wiping his paws on his mat and walking backward. In addition, tricks can be adapted for senior dogs, disabled dogs, and service dogs, so every dog should be able to participate, at least at the lower levels.
As of late, Do More With Your Dog! cooperated with the American Kennel Club (AKC) to have their trap titles (not endorsements) perceived with the AKC registry and to have those titles formally added to enlisted names as a major aspect of the AKC's new Trick Dog program. The trap canine titles will compare to the AKC postfixes: Novice Trick Dog (TKN), Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI), Advanced Trick Dog (TKA), and Trick Dog Performer (TKP). On the off chance that you earned any titles with Do More With Your Dog! prior to the joint effort with the AKC, know that all through 2017, the AKC will granddad trap puppy titles beforehand got.
My dog and I have earned the Advanced Trick Dog title and have had a great time doing it. We are currently working on some new tricks for the expert level. He loves learning new behaviors, and because the Do More With Your Dog! program is based on positive training techniques, it has improved my training skills and strengthened our bond. My dog has learned new vocabulary and thrives on the mental challenge of trick training. I am very proud of what we have accomplished together, and we both enjoy showing off his trick repertoire to friends and family. Most important, it has continued to build his confidence and brings him the joy I had been hoping for.
It is satisfying as a trainer to see your dog succeed in any dog sport, and earning trick certificates or titles is no different. There are at least 101 ways for you to do more with your dog that will challenge both of you and strengthen your connection. No matter what behavioral or physical obstacles your dog may face, consider working together toward a trick title for exercise, mental stimulation, and most of all, fun.
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