100 ideas of props for Task 1 of the International Trick Dog Competition

Looking for inspiration for Task 1 of the International Trick Dog Competition 2026? Discover fun, creative and dog-safe prop ideas using hoops, rings, tyres, toys, everyday objects and more — then see what you and your dog can come up with!

Dog & training equipment

• Hula hoop (there are many different sizes of them too!). You can use multiple!

• Agility hoop

• Rubber dog ring

• Rope tug ring

• Foam dog ring

• Ring-shaped dog frisbee

• Quoit

• Dog collar fastened into a ring

• Lead arranged as a loop

• Agility tunnel entrance

• Pop-up tunnel entrance

  
  

Wheels, tyres & “things that go round”

• Car tyre

• Bicycle tyre

• Wheelbarrow tyre

• Clean inner tube

• Toy-car steering wheel

• Large toy wheel

• Yoga wheel

• Inflatable swim ring

• Lifebuoy

  
  

Sports, fitness & play

• Pilates resistance ring

• Swimming/diving ring

• Ring-toss ring and stacking rings pyramid

• Giant bubble-wand ring

• Pool noodle joined into a hoop

• Children's basketball hoop

• Large ring-toss target

  
  

Children's & baby toys

• Stacking-ring pieces

• Baby teething ring

• Large baby linking ring

• Children's ring-toss rings

• Toy steering wheel

• Large toy wheel

• Circular play-tent entrance

• Stacking cups arranged into a circle

• Foam blocks arranged into a circle

  
  

Household objects

• Bathroom towel ring

• Circular handbag handle

• Large curtain ring

• Curtain tie-back ring

• Large plastic bangle

• Oversized scrunchie

• Embroidery hoop

• Circular picture frame with the glass removed

• Mirror frame with the mirror removed

• Large bucket opening

• Laundry-basket opening

• Round storage-basket opening

• Silicone cake-ring mould

• Silicone trivet ring

  
  

Soft & fabric objects

• Doughnut cushion

• Doughnut-shaped dog bed

• Inflatable doughnut

• Rolled towel made into a ring

• Rolled blanket made into a ring

• Foam draught excluder joined into a loop

• Thick soft rope loop

• Fabric ribbon laid into a circle

• Large fabric scrunchie

• Soft pet-bed or pet-cave entrance

  
  

Decorative & craft objects

• Floral wreath

• Wicker wreath frame

• Wooden craft hoop

• Dreamcatcher hoop with unsafe decorations removed

• Embroidery hoop

• Round basket handle

• Smooth plastic craft ring

  
  

Garden & outdoor objects

• Coiled garden hose

• Hose laid into a large circle

• Plastic plant-support ring

• Circular raised-bed border

• Round planter border

• Round paddling pool

• Round sandpit

• Circular puppy/play pen

• Circular fencing around a tree

• Flexible garden edging formed into a ring

  
  

Make a circle from several objects

This category is particularly useful because competitors don't need to own a hoop at all.

• Sports cones

• Flat training markers

• Beanbags

• Cushions

• Dog toys

• Plush toys

• Tennis balls

• Larger soft balls

• Dog bowls

• Buckets

• Cardboard boxes

• Lightweight plant pots

• Stable chairs

• Low stools

• Shoes or wellies

• Rolled towels

• Foam blocks

• Children's cups

• Pool-noodle sections

  
  

Make the ring on the ground

• Rope laid in a circle

• Garden hose laid in a circle

• Skipping rope

• Long dog lead

• Chalk circle

• Painter's tape circle

• Fabric ribbon

• Flat training poles arranged as a ring

  
  

The handler becomes the prop

• Both arms joined to make a hoop in front

• Arms joined overhead

• Arms making a hoop close to the floor

• One arm and the body creating an opening

• Arm and bent leg creating an opening

• Legs forming a large opening for the dog

• Handler lying or kneeling to create a hoop shape

• Handler holding a flexible object to complete the ring

• Two handlers joining hands/arms to make one large hoop

• Handler and dog holding opposite sides of a soft ring

  
  

Think bigger: existing circular spaces

These could generate some of the most original entries.

• Circular fencing around a tree

• Round playground feature

• Large round tunnel opening

• Circular playpen

• Round paddling pool

• Round dog bed

• Large tyre

• Circular planter

• Round sandpit

• Circle of cones or other objects

  
  

When you look for ideas, remember that props must be suitable for the individual dog's size and used in a way that cannot trap, constrict, break, splinter or be swallowed

As always, keep it safe and keep it fun!

For information on Task 1 of the International Trick Dog Competition and how to enter see:

https://www.dogtalentassociation.com/itdc2026