Dog tricks are coming to Brisbane – it’s official!
Yes, it has finally happened! We have all been teaching our dogs tricks for fun almost as long as dogs have been family pets, but as of next year it is an official ANKC sport and you can compete for titles.
Some of CLEAR’s clients are already busily training to compete, using the goal of competition to spur on their training.
CLEAR asked Coral Pethers about the introduction of the new sport. Coral is the Qld delegate on the National Dances With Dogs Committee which is overseeing the development of Trick Dog in Australia. As part of that she is overseeing the introduction of the sport into Queensland and the training of judges and has been conducting workshops on both training the tricks required and how to compete.
Q. Coral, when will the first tricks competition be held in Queensland and where?
A. The first Trick Dog Test will be conducted at Durack on Feb 16 2020. This will be a triple header which will give dogs the opportunity to gain their Starter Title.
Q. How many competitions will be held in 2020?
A. This is not known at this stage as clubs are still sending in requests to conduct a Trick Dog Test and as other clubs see how they are run will, no doubt, also decide to conduct a Test. There will be quite a reasonable number though.
Q How many levels are there and how will competitions in the higher levels be phased in?
A. There are four levels – Starter, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. Higher levels will be offered as dogs gain titles in the lower level.
Q Apart from the obvious fun in competing, what are the benefits of teaching our dogs tricks?
A. Trick training is a fun way to teach our dogs to learn from us. One of the hardest things for a dog to understand is how to ‘learn’ from us. Once the dog has a good understanding of how to do this then it becomes easier and easier to teach our dogs new behaviours. With trick training both handlers and dogs seem to find this an easier way to learning how to communicate with each other.
Q. Do you need to be a member of Dogs Queensland and your dog registered with Dogs Queensland (or your relevant state body) to compete?
A. The handler needs to be a member of Dogs Qld (or other relevant state member body) and the dog must either be a registered pedigree dog (they will have come with a certificate of pedigree registered with Dogs Qld or other member body) or if they do not have papers then they must be put on the Associate Register with Dogs Qld for a small fee.
Coral said some of the Starter tricks include tricks most family dogs should be able to do with a little training, such as go round a cone, circle handler, spin, leg weave, nose to hand touch, paw on hand, send over jump, take a bow and sit pretty.
They gradually get more difficult as you progress through the levels and at Advanced level, the tricks include march on the spot, paws up and push, hide your face, step up and rotate and reverse leg weaves.
Coral said Dances With Dogs Queensland has produced a Trick Dog Training Manual which gives the complete rundown on all the tricks and how to train them.
Trick Tests in Queensland will be advertised on the Dogs Queensland website under the show and trials links and a mock trial is already scheduled for Strathpine on December 15.
CLEAR also offers trick training as part of one-on-one home visits.
"We find tricks one of the best relationship-building things you can do with your dog - as well as being really fun, and have always incorporated them in our training," CLEAR head trainer Caroline Strainig said.
"Now they are an official sport, it will only add to the fun as you can set yourself the goal of competing, and gradually working through all the titles."
