Can your dog become the International Trick Dog Champion 2026?
Challenge yourself, challenge your dog and join trick dog teams from around the world!
The overall winner will be crowned the
International Trick Dog Champion
The International Trick Dog Competition features
5 progressive tasks, each designed to challenge you and your dog and build your skills as a team.
You’ll have 3 weeks to complete and submit each task, with individual written feedback from our judges for every entry.
Winners in each class receive task certificates, alongside runner-up awards, special prizes, a few surprises — and plenty of fun along the way!
ITDC is more than a competition!
It’s a progressive training challenge with a stretch — helping you build new skills, push your training further and celebrate what you achieve together.
Each year, ITDC brings together some of the best trick dog teams from around the world, creating a friendly community full of ideas, inspiration and opportunities to learn from one another.
Meet our previous ITDC winners in the Hall of Fame →
Task 2: Pumpkin possibilities
Submit your entry by the end of Sunday the 25th of October 2026
Pumpkins are taking over Task 2!
Real ones, toys, buckets, decorations, clothes, pumpkin stickers… if it has a pumpkin theme, you can probably find a way to use it.
Your task: Create a video under 3 minutes featuring tricks with any pumpkin-themed objects. Try to include where possible three or more different tricks using the same pumpkin object.
You can use the same pumpkin-themed prop throughout your whole video or several different ones. Your dog does not have to interact with the pumpkin prop directly- the handler can use it too. Other props can also be added, but a pumpkin-themed object must be involved in every trick in some way.
For more prop and trick inspiration, keep an eye on our blog posts:
https://www.dogtalentassociation.com/blog
Training goal:
Every ITDC task has a training goal behind it.
This task is all about cue differentiation.
Dogs can quickly learn that a particular object means a particular behaviour. See a platform - put paws on it. See a bucket - put your head in!
But what happens when the object stays the same and your cue changes?
Teaching three or more different behaviours with the same prop encourages your dog to listen carefully to which behaviour you are asking for, rather than simply guessing from the object in front of them.
It is a useful skill that can make your cues clearer and your training more flexible.
So pick your pumpkins, mix up the tricks and see just how many different answers your dog can give you!
Top tip:
You can approach this task from either direction:
Start with a pumpkin object and think of all the different tricks you could do with it.
Alternatively, make a list of tricks your dog already loves and choose pumpkin-themed objects that will let you use them.
For example, if your dog loves agility, you could use pumpkins to support poles for little jumps, send your dog around them, create something to go through, or build them into a short obstacle sequence.
Sometimes starting with your dog’s favourite skills is the easiest way to find your most creative ideas!
Key rules:
You may film tricks separately and edit them together.
You may reward, encourage and help your dog during the performance.
Take your time, think creatively and keep it safe and fun!
For classes, judging criteria and FAQs, scroll to the bottom of this page.
ITDC welcomes dogs of every age and breed, dogs with disabilities or physical limitations, complete beginners and experienced trick teams — from anywhere in the world.
Judges’ Choice Awards (these are in addition to your class placements):
Each award is worth 10 competition points plus a certificate:
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Prop versatility award - for the team that finds the greatest variety of genuinely different ways to incorporate one prop into their entry.
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Think outside the pumpkin - surprise us with the most unexpected interpretation of the pumpkin theme.
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Most unexpected trick - use a familiar prop in the most unexpected way or ways. A pumpkin does not have to be a boring pumpkin!
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Storyteller award- for the performance that uses the theme most effectively to tell a little story.
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Linking up tricks award- for the team showing the most creative, flowing transitions from one trick to another.
HOW TO ENTER
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Submit the link to your video(s) and pay the entry fee via the Submission Form by the end of Sunday, the 25th of October 2026 (your local time).
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Payment is available via PayPal, Apple Pay or credit card.
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Entry is £7 / $9 per class, with discounts for multiple classes. You may enter up to 3 relevant classes per week — see class descriptions below.
You can join the competition at any stage.
So it's not too late at all to join the fun from Task 2!
Task winners will be announced towards the end of the following week, and every entrant will receive individual written feedback.
Classes:
Class 1. Novice Trick Dog
For dogs new to trick training, including puppies and young dogs with limited experience, or dogs holding titles at Novice level or below before the competition starts. Titles may be from any Trick Dog provider. Titles gained during the competition will not affect eligibility.
Class 2. Intermediate Trick Dog
For dogs with titles above Novice level, or with more trick experience than a typical Novice dog. Relevant titles or competition experience in related dog sports also count. Titles gained during the competition will not affect eligibility.
Class 3. Advanced Trick Dog
For dogs with titles above Intermediate level but below Champion level before the competition starts. Titles may be from any Trick Dog provider. This class also includes dogs with advanced titles or competition experience in related sports, or many years of trick experience without a formal title. Titles gained during the competition will not affect eligibility.
Class 4. Champions League
For dogs holding a Champion Trick Dog title or equivalent before the competition starts, from any Trick Dog provider or related dog sport. This class also includes dogs who perform professionally for the public or undertake high-level studio work. Titles gained during the competition will not affect eligibility.
Class 5. Limits-Free
For dogs with physical limitations or those who had a difficult start in life, but refuse to be defined by them. This includes dogs with disabilities, physical restrictions or chronic health conditions, as well as rescue dogs. It celebrates dogs who overcome challenges, achieve great things and enjoy life to the full.
Class 6. Veteran Trick Dogs
For trick dogs aged 7 years or over.
Class 7. Amateur Dog Trainers
For people who train their own dogs rather than work professionally as dog trainers. This class focuses on you as a trainer and your partnership with your dog(s). Please see the additional judging notes below.
Class 8. Trick Dog Teams
For two or more dogs performing together, with one handler or multiple handlers.
ENTERING MORE THAN ONE CLASS
You may enter your dog in up to 3 suitable classes for each task.
For example, if eligible, you could enter the same Task video in Classes 2, 5 and 7, giving you more opportunities to win and earn competition points.
Where possible, we recommend staying in the same classes throughout the competition.
How does it work?
For each of the tasks, you’ll choose from a large selection of trick ideas or themes.
Use your creativity and your knowledge of your dog to choose the best selection to fit your dog's personality, physical abilities and skills.
Each task has a training goal in mind. Try to make the most of it.
Video your dog performing the tricks and submit online.
Enter your dog into one or more classes for each of the tasks.
You can reward your dog at any time.
You do not have to be in the video- so use the space you have available.
You’ll be awarded points for each of your top 5 places in each of the class you enter:
1st place in class- 10 points
2nd place - 7 points
3rd place - 5 points
4th place- 3 points
5th place- 2 points
If your dog is placed in more than one class all of the points will be counted.
The Dog Team class points will be awarded to each of the dogs taking an active part.
A dog needs to take an active part in at least one-third of the routine to be eligible for points.
You'll not receive points for entries that were not placed, but you can increase your chances of placing by entering into more than one relevant class and by continuously improving with your dog as the competition progresses.
The dog with the most points at the end of the final task will become the International Trick Dog Champion.
Additionally, dogs who receive the most points in each of the classes will be awarded 1st, 2nd or 3rd places in the class.
AWARDS & FEEDBACK
The top 5 dogs in every class will receive a personalised printable certificate after each task.
Every entry will also receive individual written feedback from the judges.
At the end of the competition, the International Trick Dog Champion and the overall winner of each class will receive a personalised certificate and a rosette, posted worldwide at no extra cost.
The top 5 finalists in each class will also have the option to receive a rosette for a small contribution towards the rosette and postage costs. All other class finalists will receive personalised printable certificates.
ITDS IS MORE THAN A COMPETITION
ITDC is a prestigious international competition that teams return to year after year.
It’s about much more than awards and recognition. You’ll challenge your training, discover new ideas, meet inspiring teams from around the world and become part of a friendly international community.
Many competitors come back not only for the challenge, but for the friendships they make along the way.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Judges will score each submission on:
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Trick performance – quality, clarity and independence of execution.
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Flow – smooth sequencing and transitions between tricks.
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Responsiveness to cues – how quickly and reliably the dog responds, whether cues need repeating, and how subtle they are.
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Teamwork & motivation – how well dog and handler communicate, work together and enjoy the performance.
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Additional complexity – for example distance work, distractions, difficult locations, complex transitions, behaviour chains, out-of-sight work or tricks performed facing away from the handler.
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Use of props – variety of props and the dog’s confidence, engagement and enthusiasm when working with them.
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Creativity
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Safety – awareness of the dog’s, handler’s and others’ safety.
Amateur Dog Trainer Class
This class places greater emphasis on teamwork, motivation, communication and thoughtful training. Judges will also consider how well you choose and adapt the difficulty and tasks to suit your dog, and how responsive you are to your dog’s body language.
This class is about you as a trainer and the partnership you have built with your dog.
Trick Dog Teams
Dog teams will also be judged on synchronicity where appropriate, their ability to work together and individually, and their focus on the handler.
Questions are always welcome: DogTalentAssociation@gmail.com
Best of luck — and most importantly, enjoy it!
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. My dog is new to tricks. Is it worth entering?
Absolutely! You’ll compete against dogs of a similar level, so everyone has a fair chance. ITDC is designed as a progressive training experience, with individual feedback, encouragement and plenty of opportunities to learn.
2. Can I enter from my country?
Yes! ITDC is a truly international competition and welcomes teams from any country in the world. Competitors regularly join us from across Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China and beyond.
You don’t need to speak English to take part — a friend or online translation tool can help with the task instructions.
3. How can I earn more points?
More experienced teams can add challenge through distance, duration, distractions, subtle cues, working facing away, behaviour chains, flowing sequences and more advanced tricks.
Detailed judging criteria are available on the competition page.
For full requirements, please see the Competition Rules and Submission Guidance.
KEEP PROGRESSING
Throughout ITDC, we’ll help you develop polished, engaging trick performances that are fun to train and enjoyable to watch.
You can also continue your journey through the DTA Trick Dog Titles, develop your performance skills with Talent Show Dog Titles, or stretch yourself further with the DTA Challenge Titles.
