Become a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)
Now is the time… make your passion your life!
There are two ways you can become a CTDI: by ordering your application packet and submitting your exams by mail, or by attending a weekend workshop.
- Order Application
- Attend a Workshop
Order the CTDI Instructor Application packet by mail.
This pack contains everything you need to become a successful instructor. It includes study material, curriculums, as well as the two exams (written and video) that you will need to submit to become fully certified. (There is no additional cost for submitting the test).
Attend a weekend CTDI Certification Workshop taught by Kyra Sundance. Learn skills, and complete your exams live, instead of by video.
*The goal of the workshop is to teach you the skills you will need, and have you pass your certification test at the end of the weekend. An attendee who does not pass the certification at the workshop may resubmit their exam again later by mail at no additional cost.
CTDI Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a CTDI? >
Do More With Your Dog!®, as the official sanctioning and organizing body for the sport of Dog Tricks, has established guidelines for instructor certification in order to ensure that standards of excellence are met when teaching the sport.
Certified Trick Dog Instructors may use the acronym CTDI after their name to indicate they have demonstrated the knowledge and hands-on training techniques applicable to this sport.
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How do I get certified? >
Application is open to anyone interested in promoting, teaching or training dog tricks.
Once you receive the instructional materials packet, study it at your own pace. When you are ready, submit the video and online exam— at no cost. (Exam examples shown near the bottom of this page). With a passing grade, you become a fully certified CTDI!
If the applicant does not qualify for certification, he or she may re-submit a test every two months at no additional cost (but think positive… you can do it!)
Other criteria: In addition to submitting the online and video exams, you must also agree to abide by a Code of Conduct (detailed at the bottom of this page). Before becoming fully certified, applicant must earn an "Intermediate Trick Dog" title on his/her own dog. (You can order your CTDI pack before you have earned your ITD title.)
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What is included in the application packet? >
The CTDI pack contains everything you need to become a successful instructor: study material, class curriculum, instructor handbook, and the online application and exam (multiple choice, written portion and video upload). Designed to be studied at your own pace -- you can work the program at home and become a fully certified trainer upon completion.
- CTDI Instructor Handbook including teaching advice and a detailed syllabus for a 7-week tricks class
- Instructions for exams and online application
- The Dog Tricks and Training Workbook (includes 30 trick cards and a DVD)
- $50 coupon toward Master Class Online Courses
- Official CTDI lapel pin
- Logo tote bag
- Logo bandana
- Logo clicker
- Do More With Your Dog! bumper sticker
- Promotional and testing material for student titles
- Inclusion in the CTDI Facebook group
- A list of guidelines on adhering to positive training techniques
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With Certification Comes the Following: >
- A "Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)" certificate
- The official title of CTDI added after your name
- Website listing as a certified instructor
- Referrals for students looking for certified instructors or seminar leaders
- Order form to order student packets at a discount for resale to your students
- Ability to evaluate and award AKC-recognized Trick Dog titles
- Ongoing support and free, confidential responses to your dog training questions
- Newsletter informing you of events and new products
- When your students submit a "Trick Dog" title application form, the CTDI earns credits which can be used to get free books, DVDs, collar charms, and other merchandise from the company store.
- Eligibility to be an All-Star Performance Dog Team team captain
- Eligibility to become a Stunt Dog Judge
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Why is Trick Training Useful? >
Trick training not only provides physical and mental challenges for the dog; it also provides a rewarding experience for the owner, and encourages a relationship based upon clear communication and positive reinforcement training methods.
The process of teaching dog tricks puts into play the foundational concepts and techniques of animal training: operant conditioning, marker training, consistency, timing, and motivation. In teaching tricks, we get to practice these techniques and immediately see the results. Each new trick presents a unique challenge that we can address with creativity and the insight of our previous experience.
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What does the video portion require? >
Instructor must submit a video of himself/herself showing the specific skills outlined below. Items 2 and 3 ask you to show how you would teach a trick to a student. You may have a student in the video, or you may pretend the camera is the student, and explain your instructions to the camera. You should be demonstrating with a dog.
- Demonstrate your dog performing 5 tricks of an intermediate or higher skill level (tricks and skill level listed in the 101 Dog Tricks book).
- Choose 3 of the tricks listed below, and demonstrate how you would teach these tricks to your student.
- • Shake Hands
- • Roll Over
- • Take a Bow
- • Say Your Prayers
- • Figure-8’s
- Choose 1 of the tricks listed below, and demonstrate how you would teach this trick to your student by using a clicker or reward marker. Please assume the student has already charged up the clicker/reward marker.
- • Cover Your Eyes
- • Soccer
- • Hold an Object
Sample video: submitted by Tricia Waples CTDI
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Multiple Choice Exam >
There are 65 questions in the multiple choice portion of the exam. All of the answers can be found in The Dog Tricks and Training Workbook, and the CTDI Handbook. You need to answer 75% of these questions correctly to continue to the written portion.
Sample Question: What is “upping the ante”?
-Increasing amount of treats given
-Rewarding for any small success
-Refining a rudimentary behavior into a more extreme version
-Not rewarding a dog after he successfully performs a behavior -
What is on the written test? >
In the written portion of the exam is 6 questions regarding training challenges you may face as a Trick Dog instructor. There is no defined correct answer for these questions, but rather we are looking to see how you observe, analyze, and offer solutions.
Sample Question: When teaching "take a "bow," my dog keeps lying down instead of bowing.
Section 2: People skills
Sample Question: When you see an owner becoming frustrated, what do you do?
Section 3: Professionalism
Sample Question: What training gear do you never leave the house without?
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CODE OF CONDUCT
The conduct of each certified Trick Dog Instructor reflects on the certifying body as a whole, and for that reason we strive to have every instructor using effective and humane training methods as recognized by our industry. We recognize that you may be involved in training dogs for competition or as working dogs, and may use a variety of training methods in these endeavors. This code of conduct applies to your training specific to dog tricks classes.
Dogs will be trained through positive reinforcement methods of praise, toys, and food. In general, positive punishment and compulsion techniques are not appropriate for dog tricks classes. Prong collars and choke chains are not encouraged unless the owner is physically unable to control the dog. Luring and shaping methods are preferred over physically modeling the dog into position. Dogs should not be forced into situations where they become fearful, such as going into an agility tunnel, or standing near a bigger dog.
