Tell Me About…Do More With Your Dog Advanced Titles

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Tell Me About…Do More With Your Dog Advanced Titles

Written by Lorrie Reynolds

Lorrie has been an agility enthusiast since 2002 and has taught tricks, family obedience, agility, and canine conditioning since 2005. When she's not writing articles, developing courses, or training dogs, you can find her curled up with a book in her hands and a dog warming her feet.

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What Are Masters Titles?

Masters titles were created to encourage people to teach additional tricks at each level and really “master” the level. They are entirely optional. The titles are still awarded based on points, and you need to do them in order, just like the regular titles. For example, you have to have the Novice Masters title before submitting the Intermediate Masters title. The main difference with the Masters titles is that the tricks for each level have to be tricks from the list for that specific level. You can’t use higher-level tricks to earn your titles. So Novice Masters tricks have to all be from the Novice tricks list, for example. The points requirements for each level are:

- Novice = 30 points (30 Novice tricks)
- Intermediate = 20 points (20 Intermediate tricks)
- Advanced = 10 points (10 Advanced tricks)
- Expert = 10 points (10 Expert tricks)

You can reuse the tricks you used from your regular title if they were all tricks at the appropriate level. For example, if you did 15 Novice tricks for your Novice title, you can add 15 additional tricks to your original submission for a total of 30 Novice tricks. You can also submit for the regular and Masters titles in the same video. If you have not earned any titles yet, you could submit 30 Novice tricks and tell the CTDI it is for your Novice and Novice Masters titles, and when it is approved, you can submit for both of the titles.

How Do I Earn Trick Dog Champion?

The Trick Dog Champion (TDCH) title requires you and your dog to perform tricks that show your dog has mastered a variety of foundational skills. The title requires tricks in the following categories and five Expert tricks:

- - Coordination
  - Retrieve/Hold/Carry/Pull with mouth (two of the four skills must be shown)
  - Nose Targets
  - Paw Targets
  - Distance Send
  - Cues at a Distance
  - Silent (Non-Verbal) Cues
  - Scenting
  - Behavior Chain

The Master Class provides examples of tricks that meet the criteria in each area. People are highly encouraged to use one of the listed tricks. Read the instructions carefully before you submit so that you don’t have to redo any portions. The TDCH can only be evaluated by the DMWYD organization. CTDIs can receive credit for assisting the team while they are working to achieve the title, but they cannot evaluate it. For more information about behavior chains, see my blog “FAQs – What is a Behavior Chain?”

How Do I Earn Trick Dog Grand Champion?

The Trick Dog Grand Champion (TDGCH) title requires a set of prescribed exercises and ten Expert tricks. The exercises are as follows:

- - - Index Cards – dogs are taught to “read” three cue cards using subtle cues that are not apparent to the audience
    - Delayed Reward – dogs must perform one Expert trick, one Advanced or higher trick, and two Intermediate or higher tricks without being rewarded until the end of the sequence
    - A to B Marks – dogs must go to three marks at a distance and perform a total of four tricks on at least three marks without coming back to the owner in between
    - Place an Object – dogs must pick up an object and place it in a container three times in a row on a single cue for each repetition. No mistakes or additional cues are allowed in this exercise, and the handler must be at least six feet from the container.
    - Precision – the dog must show that he can perform a trick with precision. Examples include paw pods or placing a small paintbrush into a mug.
    - Expert Tricks – perform any 10 Expert-level tricks

The Master Class provides the full rules and video examples of each exercise. Read the instructions carefully before you submit so that you aren’t required to redo any portions. The TDGCH can only be evaluated by the DMWYD organization. CTDIs can receive credit for helping someone prepare to submit their title, but they cannot evaluate it.

Learn how to find a good trick dog instructor in this article: How to Find the Right Trick Dog Instructor.

Want to earn an advanced title with us? Join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximumfunsparkteam

Do More With Your Dog information for the basic program and titles can be found in this blog post Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About DMWYD Trick Titles

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