Have you heard of the AKC Trick Dog program? You can now earn AKC Trick Dog titles right here at WAGD. Each level of Trick Dog class will cover training at least 12 of the tricks from that level’s Tricks Checklist. Each week you’ll get a chance to demonstrate the tricks your dog mastered. If you’ve demonstrated 10 of the tricks by the end of class, you’ll earn your official AKC Trick Dog title!
Checkout the AKC Trick Dog webpage to learn more about the awesome program and to see the Tricks Checklist for each level. Training tricks is a GREAT way to hone your training skills, while building your dog’s enthusiasm for training at the same time!
- Manners 1 (or equivalent) to get started in the first level, Trick Dog Novice.
- Dogs must be current on vaccinations.
- If your dog is younger than 1 year, and they haven’t been in facility in 2 months or more, a new Class Readiness Evaluation is required.
- If your dog is older than 1 year, and they haven’t been in the facility in 6 months or more, a new Class Readiness Evaluation is required.
- Review Be Ready for Group Class and WAGD Policies prior to enrollment.
- Class Fee
- Novice Tricks – 4 weeks, $152
- Intermediate Tricks – 6 weeks, $228
- Advanced Tricks – 6 weeks, $228
- Consecutive weekly 50-minute class meetings at your designated day/time
If you’re unabe to find an in-facility class that works for you, checkout our online training Tricks class options.
Your Instructors
Adrian Phillips
Adrian joined WAGD in 2022 as a Pet Manners and Conformation Handling trainer. They have been involved in the world of show dogs for over 10 years, handling multiple breeds in the conformation ring. They got their first show dog, an Icelandic Sheepdog named Andi, in 2014. Adrian and Andi have some very impressive accomplishments in the breed ring. They […]
Specialty & Pet Manners Trainer
Gabi Vannini CPDT-KA
Gabi Vannini CPDT-KA joined the WAGD staff in fall 2018. She teaches barn hunt, agility, conformation, rally and manners. She is an AKC CGC, trick, ACT test, temperament test and farm dog evaluator. Gabi competes in a variety of dog sports with her own dogs and has titled in obedience, agility, rally, conformation, lure coursing, dock diving, barn hunt, tricks […]
Senior Pet Manners Trainer
Jean May CPDT-KA
Jean is a Senior Trainer who joined What a Great Dog! in April of 2017. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) who teaches Pet Manners classes and privates lessons at both locations. Jean has always had a passion for dogs and the desire to work with them. She has a degree in Emergency Management and retired from the […]
Victoria Johnson
Victoria is a trainer for Manners classes, Puppy Preschool, Barn Hunt and private lessons at our Richardson location. 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 […]