How to earn your Trick Puppy Champion (TPCH) title

Puppies are capable of learning many, difficult skills at a young age. But because of their immaturity, they don’t have the steadiness, focus, and predictability of an adult dog. Puppies also don’t have the physical maturity to safely do the more bone-jarring exercises. It is for these reasons that we created the puppy version of the Trick Dog Champion title. With this title, puppies may show off their training in a way that is appropriate for their age.

The Trick Puppy Champion title mimics the Trick Dog Champion title. It has the same categories and submission scheme. It is like a dry-run for what may be your eventual goal of the Trick Dog Champion.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 0-2 years

PRE-REQUISITE: Intermediate Trick Dog Masters (ITD-M)

wdt_ID Sort Order Trick Puppy Champion Rules -->
2 2 How do I earn the TPCH title? AGE REQUIREMENT: Age 0-2 years

PRE-REQUISITE: Intermediate Trick Dog Masters (ITD-M)

We require a video submission to be reviewed by Do More With Your Dog! staff evaluators.

To earn their TPCH, the puppy must demonstrate skill in every foundational behavior category, including retrieving, targeting, distance work, etc.
3 3 Rules AGE REQUIREMENT: Age 0-2 years

PRE-REQUISITE: Intermediate Trick Dog Masters (ITD-M)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
• Video submitted to staff evaluators; not CTDI
• The TPCH title has 9 categories.
• Make a video (or videos) of your tricks according to the application form.
• If any of the videos do not pass, we will contact you and tell you specifically what we need redone, and you can submit a new video for that skill when you are ready (at no additional cost). We want you to succeed!

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• Collars/Leashes: Aversive collars are not permitted. Tricks shall be off-leash. An exception may be permitted if necessary to comply with leash laws while outdoors. In such a case an unrestrictive harness shall be used with a long-line.

• CUES: The handler may give multiple cues within reason (about 3 cues). Praise and encouragement at any time is fine.

• Substitutions: At the champion level, we allow you to substitute similar tricks which demonstrate the same skill being tested. Email us with your questions.

• Treats: Treats and toys may be used as a reward after the trick is finished, but may not be used to lure the dog into the behavior. Keep treats hidden from the dog, in a pocket or treat bag, during the trick.

• Helpers: The dog shall be handled by only one trainer. No other person may help with the trick (except as specified for a particular trick).

• Physical Manipulation / Pressure: Handler may not physically manipulate the puppy. Petting is fine. Pressuring the puppy (which may include stern voice, stern eye-contact, crowding or hovering over the dog, or putting your face or hands close to the dog’s head) is not permitted.

• Qualifying: Applicant has 3 months to resubmit any portion of the test that did not qualify, at no additional cost. Application fee will not be refunded.
4 4 Video Tips for Success! • We accommodate most video formats, including YouTube and Facebook
• If possible, compile tricks into one video
• Check your surroundings and attire
• Remove slip collar
• Give your little champ a kiss on the head 😉

For the Champion title, there should be no luring and no treats in your hands, so make that clear in your video.

Questions? Email our friendly and knowledgeable evaluator team: [email protected]
5 5 Watch a Sample Champion Submission Video COMING SOON!

Coordination/ Rear-End Awareness: The purpose of this exercise is to show one trick where your puppy is carefully and precisely using his hind feet. Puppies don’t often think about where their hind feet are, so this is a difficult skill for them.

wdt_ID Sort Order 1. COORDINATION: Submit one coordination trick. Here are some examples. Description Video1 Video2
6 2 Cavalettis Puppy trots through evenly spaced, low hurdles, maneuvering with grace.
7 3 Back-up Chute Puppy will back up 5 feet (1.5 meters) in a chute made from objects like gating, boxes or furniture. Handler may walk beside the puppy.

Construct a narrow chute by placing the back of a sofa near the wall. Toss a treat into the chute. Your puppy should walk in to get the treat, and walk backwards out of the chute.
8 1 Scattered Sticks Puppy walks through scattered sticks, carefully maneuvering each foot.

Mouth Target: The purpose of this exercise is to show tricks using your puppy's mouth.

wdt_ID Sort Order 2. MOUTH TARGET: Submit TWO mouth target tricks. Choose from the following. Description Video1 Video2
1 1 Take It Take a non-foot object from your hand and hold it for at least 1 second. This could be a toy or rawhide.
3 Tug a Toy Puppy will play tug with you, gripping a toy and pulling and/or shaking his head.
4 Chase and Grab Chase and grab an object such as a rolling disc, thrown ball, or lunge whip fur toy.

Paw Target: The purpose of this exercise is to show tricks with your puppy precisely placing their paw.

wdt_ID Sort Order 3. PAW TARGET: Description Video1 Video2
1 1 Paw touch your hand or other target object Hold out your hand and have your puppy touch it with his paw (like "shake hands"). Or have your puppy paw-push another object such as a button on the floor, or use his paw to close a cabinet door. Show two repetitions.

Nose Target: The purpose of this exercise is to show a trick where your puppy targets and touches something with their nose.

wdt_ID Sort Order 4. NOSE TARGET: Description Video1 Video2
1 1 Target Stick or Hand-Held Target disc TARGET STICK: Puppy nose-touches the end of the target stick. Move the target stick, varying its height and location. Show several times in a row, unedited, moving the target each time and varying its height and location.
HAND-HELD DISC: Same as above, but with a flat disc such as a jar lid.

Scent: The purpose of this exercise is to show a trick where your puppy finds something specific by scent.

wdt_ID Sort Order 5. SCENT: Submit one scent trick. Choose from the following. Description Video1 Video2
2 2 Food Puzzle There are many food puzzles on the market. Some require the dog to move a block, or pull a lever, or push a bar in order to access a treat.
3 Find Hidden Treats Puppy should use his nose to find several hidden treats. Treats can be hidden under clothing or in corners of a room, behind or under objects
4 Shell Game / Cup and Ball Game Handler will place 3 pails out with a treat under 1 cup. Handler will shuffle the cups and then cue puppy to find the correct pail with the treat. Puppy should indicate the correct pail with his nose or paw. Handler should show the trick twice moving the pails around.

Distance: The purpose of this exercise is to show your puppy performing cued behaviors at a distance away from you. This is more difficult than responding to cues close to you.

wdt_ID Sort Order 6. DISTANCE: Demonstrate BOTH of the following skills. Description Video1 Video2
1 1 Go to Platform Send puppy 10 feet (3 m) away to a mark or raised platform.
2 2 Trick at a Distance Puppy does 1 trick while 10 ft (3m) from handler. Puppy shall be on a mark or raised pedestal.

Signals: The purpose of this exercise is to show your puppy responding to hand signal cues, with no verbal cue.

wdt_ID Sort Order 7. SIGNALS: Description Video1 Video2
1 1 Signals Hand/Body signals (3 behaviors): Puppy will perform 3 tricks in response to silent cues. For example, the handler does a hand signal for "sit", without saying anything, and the puppy sits.

The puppy may be rewarded between each trick.

The handler may be close to the puppy but should not be hovering over the puppy.

Interactions with surfaces/objects: The purpose of this exercise is to show your puppy interacting with different objects in different ways.

wdt_ID Sort Order 8. INTERACTIONS: Show all of the following interactions Description Video1 Video2
1 1 Front Paws Up on an Object Puppy will place both front paws on an object on cue.
3 3 Under an Object Puppy shall maneuver under an object that is lower than the height of his withers (shoulders).
4 4 Object with 4 sides Interact with a 4-sided object such as a getting inside a box.

CREATIVITY:

wdt_ID Sort Order 9. Demonstrate 3 of Your Best Tricks Description Video1 Video2
1 1 Demonstrate Your 3 Best Tricks (1 must be Expert) Show your puppy's 3 best tricks!
One trick must be of an Expert level