Earning an AKC Novice Trick Dog Title

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Bounder demonstrating the “Get In” behavior.
To earn an AKC Novice Trick Dog title, a dog must perform five tricks from the Novice list if it has a CGC title recorded with AKC.  If no CGC title has been recorded, the dog must perform 10 tricks.  Novice tricks are relatively simple, such as, spin, shake hands, and touch.  Luring with treats or toys is acceptable to get the dog to perform a Novice trick. Below is a list of the tricks a Novice Trick Dog can perform to get their title.


___  Balance beam (walk on low board a few inches off floor)

____  Bark on cue (“Speak”)

____  Crawl (dog on belly, crawls at least 5 feet)

____  Fetch it and give (ball, toy, etc- bring to handler, release)

____  Find it (find treat hidden under cup)

___  Get your ___________.  (Leash, brush, name of toy)

____  Get in (gets in box)

____  Get on (gets on low platform or step – 4 paws)

____   Hand signals (down, sit, or come)

____   High five

___   Hold (3 seconds)

___   Jump (thru a low hoop or over a low bar)

___    Kennel up (go in crate, stay in until released)

____   Kiss (point to cheek)

____   Paws up (2 front paws on low stool or step)

____   Push-ups (sit, down, sit, down, sit, down)

____   Shake hands

___   Spin in circle

___   Touch it (hand or target stick)

____   Tunnel (agility tunnel or child’s tunnel)

____  Other: Handler’s choice:_______________________ ____  Other: Handler’s choice:_______________________

For the Novice title, handlers may use a food/toy lure if needed. May use food/clicker reinforcers.

 A TOTAL OF 10 TRICKS ARE REQUIRED TO EARN THE AKC NOVICE TRICK DOG TITLE.

If you have a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, you may count the CGC as 5 of the required tricks for the NOVICE TRICK DOG TITLE.

CGC Skills Foundation Behaviors for Trick Training
1. Accepts friendly stranger
2. Sits politely for petting
3. Appearance and Grooming
4. Out for a Walk
5. Walking through a crowd
6. Sit, Down, Stay in place
7. Coming when called
8. Reaction to another dog
9. Reaction to distractions
10. Supervised Separation