My dog is old. Will it work?
Yes, it's one of the best things you can do with a senior dog. Plenty of tricks are done sitting or lying down, and they tire the brain while sparing the body.
Dance and presentation
Trick Dog
A trick programme split into levels, from give a paw up to long chained sequences. Many assessments are done by video, so you don't need a competition or a club.
About the discipline
What Trick Dog is
Lots of owners teach their dogs tricks at home anyway, in the living room. Trick dog gives that some shape: there are levels, clear criteria and titles you can earn.
You start with simple tricks like paw, spin or touching a target. As you move up, you get to sequences where the dog strings several behaviours together, one after another, like links in a chain.
The big plus is that many programmes accept a video recording for assessment. You train at home, at your own pace, with no competition nerves.
How it works in practice
How it is organised
- levels that build up step by step, from beginner to expert
- each level asks for a fixed number of tricks
- every trick comes with clear criteria for how it's done
- assessment happens in person or by video
- pass a level and you get a title
- the advanced levels bring in chained sequences
Which dogs it suits
- any dog at all, whatever its age or size
- senior dogs, using the tricks that need no physical effort
- teams that want a structured activity at home
What you need
- lots of small treats
- a clicker, if you like
- a target or a mat for positioning tricks
- a phone to film the assessment
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Trick Dog
Do I need a clicker?
You don't have to, but it helps. A clear marker, either a clicker or a short word, tells the dog exactly what it got right, and learning speeds up noticeably.
How do I earn a title?
You tick off the level's list of tricks and show it to an assessor. Depending on the programme, that's done in person or by sending in a video.
How many tricks does the first level need?
It varies between programmes, but it's usually ten to fifteen simple tricks, each done on the first cue. Nothing hard: paw, spin, touch the target, weave through your legs, down from a stand. Most teams get them together in a few weeks of short sessions, a few minutes a day.
From the same category
Related sports
Freestyle Obedience
Obedience exercises linked freely, the way the team wants.
Dog Dancing
A choreographed routine set to music, with moves and tricks strung together.
Heelwork to Music
Heelwork and handler positions, performed to music.
We do not run Trick Dog
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.