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.

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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.

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Class 6. Veteran Trick Dogs
For trick dogs aged 7 years or over.

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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.

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Class 8. Trick Dog Teams
For two or more dogs performing together, with one handler or multiple handlers.

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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.

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How does it work?

Each week you’ll choose from a large selection of tricks to perform with your dog.

Video your dog performing the tricks and submit online.

Enter your dog into one or more classes each week.

 

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 split between the dogs. For example, if your dog was awarded 1st and 2nd places in two different classes, you’ll get 10 points for the 1st place and 7 further points for the 2nd place, making 17 points in total for that week.

 

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.

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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.

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JUDGING CRITERIA

Judges will score each submission on:

• Trick performance – quality, clarity and independence of execution.

• Flow – smooth sequencing and transitions between tricks.

• Responsiveness to cues – how quickly and reliably the dog responds, whether cues need repeating, and how subtle they are.

• Teamwork & motivation – how well dog and handler communicate, work together and enjoy the performance.

• 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.

• Use of props – variety of props and the dog’s confidence, engagement and enthusiasm when working with them.

• Creativity

• 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.

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Questions are always welcome: DogTalentAssociation@gmail.com

Best of luck — and most importantly, enjoy it!