My dog is old. Will it work?
Yes, it is one of the best activities for seniors. Many tricks are performed sitting or lying down and tax the mind, not the body.
Dance and presentation
Trick Dog
A programme of tricks organised into levels, from give a paw to complex linked sequences. It can be assessed by video, so you need neither a competition nor a club.
About the discipline
What Trick Dog is
Trick dog gives structure to what many owners do anyway: teaching tricks. The difference is that here there are levels, clear criteria and titles you can earn.
You start with simple tricks - paw, spin, touch the target - and progress to complex sequences in which several behaviours are chained together.
The great advantage: many programmes accept assessment by video recording, so you can work at your own pace, at home, without the pressure of a competition.
How it works in practice
How it is organised
- progressive levels, from beginner to expert
- a fixed number of tricks required for each level
- clear execution criteria for each trick
- assessment in person or by video
- titles awarded on passing a level
- chained sequences at the advanced levels
Which dogs it suits
- absolutely any dog, of any age or size
- senior dogs, for the tricks without physical effort
- teams wanting a structured activity at home
What you need
- plenty of small rewards
- a clicker, optionally
- a target or a mat, for positioning tricks
- a phone, for filming the assessment
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Trick Dog
Do I need a clicker?
Not necessarily, but it helps. A clear marker - a clicker or a short word - makes learning visibly faster, because it pinpoints exactly what was right.
How do I earn a title?
You complete the level's list of tricks and present it to an assessor, in person or by video recording, depending on the programme.
How many tricks does the first level need?
It varies by programme, but usually between ten and fifteen simple tricks, performed on the first cue. They are accessible things: paw, spin, touch the target, weave through the legs, down from standing. Most teams gather them in a few weeks of short daily work.
From the same category
Related sports
Freestyle Obedience
A blend of obedience, movement and creativity.
Dog Dancing
A choreographed routine set to music, with moves and tricks.
Heelwork to Music
Heelwork and 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.