It's Time to Get Tricky!
Training tricks is a great way for you to become a better trainer and your dog to become a better learner. Plus, it’s just plain fun!
This self-study class covers all the tricks you’ll need to earn your AKC Novice Tricks title. Detailed demonstration videos and lectures make training fun and easy. Most people take about a month to work through all the video exercises. At the end, if you’re able to demonstrate 10 of the required tricks (via video), you’ll earn your official AKC Trick Dog Novice title! If your dog has their CGC title, you’ll only need to demonstrate 5 of the required tricks. We’ll provide a gorgeous ribbon and your test verification paperwork to turn into the AKC for your official title.
You’ll have 90 days from the date of enrollment to send in your video demonstrating the tricks you’ve trained.
- Class Fee – $66
- Immediately after enrolling you’ll have access to the full online course
- Includes video submission for one dog – instructor will verify additional dogs for $25 each.
- Note: this self-study class does not include coaching or feedback. Virtual private lessons are available, if needed.
PLEASE NOTE: You will have separate logins for our Online Learning platform and our In-Facility Programs.
Welcome to Novice Tricks!
Clickers! Why, How, and When!
Lures! Why, How, and When
Chapter 1 Quiz!
Touch V.1
Touch V.2
Sit
Down
Spin
Fetch
Kennel Up
Puppy Push Ups
Find It
Posting your Trick Videos
Shake
Get In – Sit In
Intro to Crawl
Continue Crawl
Two Paws Up
Four Paws On
Posting your Trick Videos
Jump
Speak
Hand Signals
High Five
Posting Your Trick Videos
Your Instructor
Founder & Head Trainer
Victoria Johnson
Victoria is a trainer for Manners classes, Puppy Preschool, Barn Hunt and private lessons. After joining the WAGD team in 2020, she completed WAGD’s Trainer Education Program and the Karen Pryor Academy Foundations course. Absolute Dogs’ Pro Dog Trainer and Pro Dog Trainer Geek programs were completed in 2021 and she is enrolled in their ongoing Training Academy and PDT Club focusing on positive games-based concept training.
Victoria discovered WAGD in 2017, where she worked her rescue Chi/Terrier, Audrey, through Manners, Agility, and Tricks classes and attained several tricks titles. She currently works with Audrey and her other Chi/Terrier rescue, River, in Barn Hunt, Tricks, and Freestyle. River, too, has earned multiple Tricks titles.
Exposure and hands-on experience in dog conformation, breeding, and training of Standard Schnauzers during her early years kicked off her love of working with animals. Numerous dogs (rescues, mixed breeds, and purebreds) have been owned, trained, and cared for. In over a decade of equine riding, training, and competing, Victoria developed an affinity for working with “hard case” horses using natural horsemanship methods. This desire to work with animals who have challenges naturally spilled over to dogs.
While completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech—Language Pathology and Audiology at UT-Dallas, she worked at a doggie daycare/boarding facility that also assisted in temporary fostering for a rescue group. She had many opportunities to observe dog behaviors in group settings and help dogs overcome struggles they were facing such as fear and anxiety. Through both formal and informal studying and experiences, Victoria has acquired a particular fondness for working to build confidence and optimism in dogs through utilizing rewards-based methods within a concept framework to build solid relationships between owners, their dogs, and the world around them.