AKC Trick Dog: Novice to Performer Level Guide

Last updated: May 23, 2026

What the AKC Trick Dog Program Is

The AKC Trick Dog program is one of the American Kennel Club’s most accessible titling pathways. It was built directly on the Do More With Your Dog! (DMWYD) framework created by Kyra Sundance, and the AKC adopted and adapted the structure into a four-level public-facing program: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Performer. Sundance’s original DMWYD program retains a fifth level, Elite Performer, that sits above Performer for owners who want the deepest trick-training challenge.

The program is open to dogs of all breeds and mixed breeds, dogs of any age (including senior dogs), and dogs with disabilities. Mixed-breed registration is handled through the free AKC Canine Partners program. There is no minimum age requirement beyond the puppy being able to perform the tricks safely, and there is no upper age limit at all — senior dogs are explicitly encouraged.

Submission can be by video or in-person to an AKC-approved CGC or Trick Dog evaluator. Video submission is a deliberate accessibility feature: owners in regions without local evaluators, owners with reactive or fearful dogs who cannot test in public environments, and owners of medically fragile senior dogs can all earn titles without ever leaving home.

Novice — The Entry Level

The Novice level (AKC Trick Dog Novice, abbreviated TKN) requires the dog to perform 10 tricks from the AKC approved trick list, with the option to substitute foundational behaviors. If the dog already holds the standard CGC title, the AKC reduces the Novice trick requirement to 5 tricks. This is the recommended sequence for most owners: earn CGC first, then use the half-credit pathway into Trick Dog.

Novice tricks are intentionally beginner-friendly and include behaviors like sit, down, shake hands, spin in a circle, touch (nose target), kennel up, find it (a hidden treat), high five, sit pretty (briefly), and roll over. The judge looks for clear cue-and-response, not show-quality precision. The dog should respond to the owner’s cue within a reasonable time — usually one or two repetitions of the cue.

For dogs new to trick training, build the foundation skills before targeting the Novice list. The trick training foundations course covers marker discipline, treat delivery mechanics, and the loop of cue-mark-reward that all later tricks depend on.

Intermediate — Building Complexity

The Intermediate level (TKI) requires 10 tricks from a more advanced list. Tricks at this level include weave through legs (the dog walks figure-eights between the owner’s legs while the owner takes steps), back up (the dog walks backwards on cue), play dead, fetch a specific named toy, and crawl across a defined distance. Foundational behaviors (sit, down, shake) no longer count at this level; the tricks must be genuinely intermediate.

Multi-step tricks start appearing at Intermediate. The dog is asked to chain two simple behaviors together — for example, sit then offer a paw, or down then roll over — and respond to a single combined cue. This is where shaping and chaining become essential skills for the handler, not just the dog. Owners who have never used clicker training often start formal clicker work at this level.

For senior dogs, the AKC allows substitution of physically demanding tricks with mentally engaging alternatives. The training senior dogs new tricks guide covers age-appropriate adaptations that keep the dog engaged without joint strain.

Advanced — Trick Combinations and Distance

The Advanced level (TKA) requires 5 tricks from the advanced list, and the dog must already hold the Intermediate title. Advanced tricks include behaviors like go to your place from across the room, take a bow, balance a treat on the nose, jump through hoop (low and safe), put toys away into a basket, and bring me named objects in succession.

Several Advanced tricks specifically test distance work — the dog performs the behavior several feet from the handler rather than at the handler’s side. This is where stimulus control becomes important: the dog must respond to the cue alone, without lure assistance or close-range body language. The skills underlying advanced trick work overlap meaningfully with the stimulus-control and cue-transfer framework used in competition obedience.

The errorless learning approach — setting the criteria so the dog can succeed on most repetitions while the handler builds in tiny increments — is the cleanest method for Advanced tricks. The errorless learning and shaping protocol applies directly to teaching complex multi-part tricks without frustration.

Performer — The Top AKC Level

The Performer level (TKP) is the AKC’s highest trick-dog title and requires the dog to perform a 5-trick routine in sequence, with at least 10 different tricks performed across the submission, with smooth transitions between behaviors and minimal repeated cues. The video or live demonstration is intended to look like a small performance — a clear opening, a flowing middle, and a recognizable close.

At Performer level, props are commonly used: ramps, hoops, target sticks, scarves, toys, low platforms. The handler choreographs the routine to highlight the dog’s strengths. Dogs who excel at distance work might feature send-aways and recall sequences; dogs who excel at close-quarters work might feature weave-through-legs and pivot work. Routines are typically 1 to 3 minutes long.

For deaf dogs and dogs with sensory differences, the Trick Dog program is one of the most inclusive AKC pathways. Hand signals fully substitute for verbal cues at every level. See the training deaf dogs with hand signals guide for protocols that integrate cleanly into trick training across all four levels.

The Force-Free Approach to Trick Training

Trick training is one of the cleanest domains for positive reinforcement because the tricks themselves are non-essential — there is no welfare reason to use aversive methods. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Position Statement on Humane Dog Training recommends reward-based methods, and trick training specifically lends itself to shaping, capturing, and luring, all of which are positive-reinforcement techniques.

Marker training is the standard tool. A clicker, a verbal marker like “yes,” or a tongue-click all serve the same function: a precise sound that bridges the gap between the dog’s correct behavior and the food reward. The marker tells the dog exactly which moment earned the reward, which dramatically accelerates trick acquisition.

Trick training also benefits the larger handler-dog relationship. Owners who teach tricks tend to develop sharper observation skills, better timing, and a more nuanced reinforcement vocabulary — all of which transfer to more serious training contexts like recall reliability, leash manners, and behavior modification for reactivity or anxiety.

Practical Training Tips Across All Four Levels

Short sessions outperform long ones. Three to five minutes of focused trick training, two or three times a day, produces more learning than a single 30-minute session. Dogs (and all mammals) consolidate learning during sleep, so spaced practice across multiple sessions and days creates more durable retention than massed practice in one long block.

Match the trick to the dog. A long-bodied breed should not be asked to sit pretty for long durations; a short-legged breed may struggle with weave-through-legs. The AKC explicitly allows substitutions for breed-specific limitations and for medical or aging conditions. Choose tricks that highlight the individual dog’s body type and temperament.

Generalize before testing. A trick learned in the kitchen often falls apart in the backyard or at the training facility. Practice in at least 3 to 5 different settings before submitting video or scheduling the in-person test. Dogs are poor generalizers — the cue must be re-built in each context.

Video Submission Logistics

Video submission is the most common pathway for owners outside major US metro areas. The owner films the dog performing the required tricks, uploads the video, and an AKC-approved evaluator reviews and certifies. The video must show all required tricks clearly, with the owner visible giving the cue, and the dog visibly responding within a reasonable window.

Video standards: handheld phone footage is acceptable; the dog must be in clear view; tricks must be performed in sequence within a single take or clearly labeled clips; the owner identifies the dog, the level being tested, and each trick verbally or via on-screen text. The AKC website publishes the current submission instructions and evaluator directory.

Many force-free trainers offer video-submission coaching as a service — they review your draft footage, identify items that may not meet evaluator standards, and suggest re-shoots before formal submission. This service is particularly useful for the Performer level, where routine choreography and trick-transition smoothness matter most.

Trick Dog and the Mixed-Breed Pathway

The AKC Canine Partners program (free registration) makes Trick Dog titles fully available to mixed-breed and rescue dogs. For the shelter and rescue community, Trick Dog is often the first title earned because it can be completed entirely from home video, accommodates physical and sensory disabilities, and rewards the trust-building work that adoption-and-bonding naturally produces.

For rescue dogs with fear or anxiety histories, Trick Dog work is also therapeutically useful. The shared focus, the reinforcement-rich environment, and the predictable handler-dog loop of cue-mark-reward all contribute to the dog feeling safer and more connected. Many post-adoption training programs explicitly include trick work as a relationship-building exercise distinct from obedience drilling.

Once a dog earns Performer, owners often layer on the original Do More With Your Dog! Elite Performer level for additional challenge, or branch into related AKC programs like CGC, Rally, or the AKC Trick Dog Champion title (a newer recognition for owners who exceed Performer-level requirements).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between AKC Trick Dog and Do More With Your Dog (DMWYD)?

DMWYD is Kyra Sundance’s original program; AKC Trick Dog is the AKC-licensed adaptation. The two programs share most levels, but DMWYD retains a fifth Elite Performer level that AKC does not currently recognize. Many dogs earn titles in both programs.

Can I submit video for all four levels?

Yes. The AKC accepts video submission for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Performer. In-person testing with an evaluator is also available; some owners prefer in-person for the Performer level routine.

How young can a puppy earn the Novice title?

There is no strict minimum age. Most puppies can earn Novice once they reliably perform 10 basic behaviors, often between 6 and 12 months. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is a complementary younger-puppy program.

Can deaf or blind dogs earn AKC Trick Dog titles?

Yes. Hand signals fully substitute for verbal cues at every level. Blind dogs can use tactile cues and verbal cues; AKC explicitly accommodates sensory differences in submission notes.

Does AKC Trick Dog require force-free methods?

The AKC does not formally mandate a method, but the credentialed-force-free consensus (AVSAB, CCPDT, IAABC, KPA) is the default recommendation for trick training and for AKC titling programs generally. Owners ultimately choose; we recommend the credentialed-positive-first path.