Gold Criteria

  • Gold is the fourth and final main level of the Twilight Trick Titles. Only Gold tricks are accepted for this level but Copper, Bronze and Silver tricks may be submitted at the same time.

 

  • Gold is the fourth and final main level of the Twilight Trick Titles. Only Gold tricks are accepted for this level but Copper, Bronze and Silver tricks may be submitted at the same time.

 

  • Gold is the fourth and final main level of the Twilight Trick Titles. Only Gold tricks are accepted for this level but Copper, Bronze and Silver tricks may be submitted at the same time.

General Trick Criteria

 

General

Delays are accepted but tricks should be completed in a sensible timeframe and without constantly repeated cues,  i.e. cuing “Paw” twice is okay but cuing “Paw, paw, come on, paw, can you give paw?” is not. All tricks must be cued. Any audio or visual cues must be visible or audible in any submissions.

Puppies

Any tricks involving jumping or impact on joints, such as begging, should not be performed with puppies under 12 months old. Please contact us for an accommodation if required.

Handler Critera

No physical manipulation is allowed, such as moving the dog into position unless the criteria specifically calls for it. Dogs may be on leash in outdoor or public areas but the leash should not be used to manipulate or move the dog. Handler’s hands should be in view of the video wherever possible.

Rewards and Praise

Rewards and praise are both accepted and encouraged, but if the reward is in your hand whilst cueing, it is classed as a lured trick.

Body Language

While some frustration is natural in the training process, we want to see you and your dog having fun! This means that videos showing excessive stress will be refused. Everyone moves at their own pace so please don’t rush.

Time Limits

There are no time limits on submissions, aside from the age restrictions in place on the Stardust level for seniors and puppies.

Feedback

Where appropriate, your assessor may provide feedback if a video is refused. We always aim to provide constructive feedback, but any rudeness or aggression toward our team or mods may result in a suspension or ban if this happens repeatedly. If you would prefer a different assessor, please ask.

Aversive Tools

For all Twilight titles, we expect your dog to be handled using only a flat collar or a back clip harness while completing the titles. Other items like coats, vests and the like which do not affect handling are allowed. Any videos showing an E-Collar, vibration collar, headcollar, prong collar, or a bandana or snood which may be hiding any of these aids will be subject to re-submission. This also applies to videos showing leash corrections or excessive force.

Public Videos

At the start of any videos recorded in a public space, please ensure you show that your dog is being handled using ONLY a flat collar or back clip harness at the start of the video. Any videos which do not show a lack of aversive tools will need to be resubmitted.

Gold Trick List

 

Anti-Clockwise Pivot with Chin Rest

Dog starts with their front paws on an object. They pivot in an anti-clockwise direction 360 degrees, finishing with a chin rest on another object that is head height. 

Artist

Dog holds paintbrush in their mouth and paints on an easel. Dog must paint at least 3 strokes with the brush. 

Back-Up Barking

Dog backs up the stairs (minimum of 6 steps) whilst vocalising.

Back-Up Heel

Dog remains in heel position. Dog and handler take 6 steps backwards and dog remains in position. 

Back-Up Onto a Raised Object

Dog backs up and puts their back paws on a taller object, such as a bench, sofa or tree. Please ensure this is size appropriate for your dog. 

Backwards Leg Weave

Dog weaves in a figure of 8 through the handler's legs, but does so whilst walking backwards. Repeat 3 times. 

Backwards Spinning Orbit

Dog orbits around the handler backwards whilst simultaneously performing smaller spins. 

Bartender

On cue, the dog opens the fridge or cupboard, gets a drink and brings it to the handler. 

Bless You!

Handler sneezes, so the dog retrieves a tissue or hanky from a box and hands it to the handler. 

Bookworm

Dog retrieves a book, a blanket and glasses case or water bottle and hands them to the handler who is sat down. Each item can be cued independently. 

Calm Behaviours on a Moving Platform

The dog can sit, lie down or stand calmly on a moving platform, such as a lift, a tram, travelator etc. If your dog is on a travelator, please ensure they are wearing boots. 

Carry the Shopping

Handler passes the dog a shopping bag with at least one item in. dog carries it from the driveway or garden into the house, at least 5 metres.

Close or Fully Open Both Curtains

On cue, the dog either opens or closes the curtains. One cue can be given per curtain.

Continuous Orbit for 5 Circles

Dog circles the handler backwards 5 times on one cue. 

Crawl in Heel Position

Dog crawls alongside the handler for at least 20 seconds whilst remaining in the heel position.

Crawl Whilst Crossing Paws

Whilst their front paws are crossed, the dog crawls along the floor. This can either be a crawl, cross paws, crawl, or they can crawl whilst their paws are crossed. 

Distance Behaviours (Gold)

Perform 4 gold tricks from at least 15m away. 

Distraction Alley

Dog to walk on a slack leash between 6 distractions, 3 on each side within reach of the dog. Dog must walk through and ignore them all. One leave-it cue is accepted. 

Dive

Dog jumps into the sea/pond/pool on cue. 

Emergency Stop from 30m

With the dog at least 30m away, the dog is cued into an emergency stop. The dog must respond immediately by stopping and either standing still, sitting or laying down until given a release cue.

Emergency Stop Whilst Chasing a Ball

Handler throws a ball/lure and as the dog is chasing it, handler shouts for an emergency stop. Dog should immediately stop and cease chasing the ball.

Find a Familiar Person in a Busy Public Space

This must be in a busy environment with other people around. The familiar person must not engage with the dog. Handler must only give one cue and should not direct the dog. Familiar person must be out of the dog's line of sight. 

Find my Phone

Dog to find a ringing phone hidden out of sight and retrieves to hand on one cue. 

Find the Car

Dog to seek out a specific car in a carpark or line of at least 6 cars, without physical or verbal direction from handler.

Find the Hidden Toy (Gold)

A toy is hidden in a complex, difficult to find place, with the dog out of sight while the item is placed. Dog is given free reign of the house or outdoor space to search with no direction. Dog can be given encouragement but no guidance. This can also be performed outside but please mimic the requirements laid out.

Focused Settle

Dog to hold a settle and focus on the handler while a high level distraction (a person bouncing a ball, a passing train, a loud family etc.) passes at a close (but safe) distance.

Footstall

Handler on their back with their feet in the air, dog balances on handler's feet. Bigger dogs can balance with front paws on the handler's feet with their hind legs on a sofa or pillow. 

Handler Engagement

A 1 minute or more video of the dog showing positive engagement and enthusiasm in a public place (heelwork, focus, tricks, behaviours etc). Worth 2 points.

Handstall

Handler on their back with their hands in the air, dog balances on handler's hands. Bigger dogs can balance with front paws on the handler's hands with their hind legs on a sofa or pillow. 

Hold Your Paw

Dog holds one of their paws in their mouth. 

Hoop Dive

Handler rolls a hoop size-appropriate to their dog, the dog runs through the moving hoop.

Inside Voice

Dog barks at a lower volume/a whisper on cue. Repeat twice.

Item Retrieval in a Public Place

Handler drops an item whilst in public. Dog should hand dropped item back to handler. This can be a toy, the dog’s lead, your keys etc.

Laundry Assist

Dog passes handler washing and pegs from a basket or bag for the handler to hang up. Should be repeated for 3 items/pegs.

Laundry Day

Load washing machine from laundry basket and then unload back into laundry basket, closing the washing machine door behind them. They must load at least 5 pieces of item in and out of the machine. 

Limping Orbit

Dog orbits (backwards or forwards) around the handler at least 3 times whilst keeping one front paw in the air (to mimic a limp). 

March in Place

Dog does high leg marches whilst staying in place. 

Moonwalk

Dog backs up at least 4 steps whilst in the bow position. 

Office Assistant

Dog is given a file or notebook and they place it on a shelf. 

Off-Lead Recall Past 2-3 Distractions

From at least 20m away, the dog must recall past multiple distractions (other dogs, food, people) and ignore all of them. A longline is accepted but the dog must not be pulled via the lead. 

Out-of-Reach Retrieve (Gold)

An item is placed out of the dog’s reach on an even higher surface which they have to use a step to reach, such as a shelf or counter. The step is placed further away from the dog with a tug attached. Pulling the step over, the dog reaches for the item and retrieves it to hand.

Peekaboo

Dog rests front legs on handler's arm or on a surface with their head bowed down, and pops their head up when cued. 

Piggybank

Dog is presented with an item with a slot big enough to fit a penny. Dog must put a coin into the slot. The slot must be narrow and only just big enough. 

Pillowcase

Dog pulls a pillowcase off of a pillow. Handler can hold the pillow still.

Place All 4 Paws on 4 Paw Pods

Dog puts all 4 paws on 4 paw pods on one cue without assistance (1 paw per paw pod). 

Postman

Dog to retrieve 3 letters either in the letterbox or posted through the door and retrieve to handler. Should be performed on 1 cue. 

Press Lift Button

Dog to find the lift from the entry way of the shop (at least 30m away) and automatically press the button to call the lift without being cued. 

Put 4 Pieces of Rubbish in the Bin

Dog must open the bin, put all four pieces of rubbish in the bin, the dog closes the bin. This must all be completed on one cue. 

Rainbow Cues

Using 4+ different coloured cue cards containing a different cue for each colour, the dog is to perform each behaviour linked to the corresponding card when shown. 3 repetitions needed with shuffled orders.

Recall to Heel from 20ft Distance

Dog recalls from at least 20ft away from the handler and automatically continues walking in a heel for at least 30 seconds before being released.

Reverse Middle into Six

Dog backs up from in front of handler and backs up through their legs, swinging into a Watch My Six (see list of bronze tricks) (dog spins and sits just behind handler, facing away).

Rides a Skateboard

Dog must independently jump up onto a skateboard and moves the skateboard for at least 5m. 

Ring Stack

Dog places 5 rings onto a pole.

Roll Over Continuously

Dog rolls three consecutive times with one cue. 

Room Search

One tin containing a scent the dog is familiar with is hidden in a complex hiding place (i.e., on a shelf under clothes or in a pile of toys on a sofa). Dog must independently seek out the tin with encouragement but no guidance allowed.

Send Away to 2 Raised Targets

Handler has 2 raised targets next to each other, dog must put all four paws on the targets. One target for back paws, then the other for the front paws.

Send Away to 3 Separate Targets

Handler sends the dog to the first target, dog to jump onto each of the raised platforms on cue. They must not be cued in a straight line across (e.g. second target, then first target, then first target). Targets must be at least 3.5m away from dog and handler, spaced at least 1.5m from each other. 

Shopping Assistant

Dog fills bag with 2-3 items, picks the bag up and retrieves to handler from at least 1.5m away.

Silent Barking

On cue, the dog makes the motion of barking at least 3 times, but does not make any noise. 

Sit Pretty with Head/Chin Rest

The dog sits pretty and rests their head/chin on either the handler's hand, or a head-height item, and hold for 5 seconds. 

Six or More Trick Sequence

Dog performs six or more tricks to your choice of music for 30 seconds or more. Must include at least 4 gold tricks. 

Skipping Rope

Dog and handler skip together using a skipping rope. Complete at least 3 successful jumps. 

Sleeping Lions

Dog holds both paws up and ‘plays dead’, falling over. Once the dog is on its side, handler will touch dog’s side or feet with dog continuing to play dead.

Stack 5+ Cups or Bowls in Size Order

5 cups or bowls (or something else suitable) are place in a randomised order. Dog must stack them in size order. 

Standing Quietly During Nail Trim

Dog must stand quietly and allow handler to have their nails cut, filed or dremelled. We want to see at least 5 nails whilst dog stays calm. 

Sword Fighting

Dog picks up toy sword and swipes at their handler also holding a sword. 

Synchronized Sit Pretty

Two dogs offer a sit pretty at once simultaneously on one cue. 

Table Manners

Human food to be placed in front of or near the dog. Dog must perform impulse control for 20+ seconds with the plate being picked up at the end of the time. No cue to be given but an alternative reward is encouraged.

Take my Jacket Off

Dog must unzip the jacket, then remove both sleeves from the jacket, then pass the coat back to the handler to hang up. 

Twinkletoes

Dog spins in a full circle on their hind legs. 

Two Minutes of Being a Good Dog

Handler films a two-minute video of the dog showing consistent good behaviour in a pet-friendly, non-pet shop (such as Hobbycraft, John Lewis). 

Under the Bridge

Dog walks backwards in a bow under the handler's legs or arms with them held like a bridge over the dog's head. 

Untie my Shoes

Dog pulls on a tied lace to untie handler's shoes. Both shoes should be undone on one cue.

Walking Peekaboo for 3m

Dog puts their from paws on their handler's feet and walks for 3m without removing their paws. 

Water Balance

Dog walks 5 steps with a cup of water balanced on their head/nose.

Wheel Heel

Show your dog offering a 15ft heel with the handler on a bicycle, mobility scooter or in a wheelchair.

Which Tin Holds the Scent? Trace Variation

Lay out 5 tins on the floor. Tins must be empty with only 1 tin containing a trace of the required scent. Dog must seek out and alert to the correct scent. For example, you could rub a tissue on a jar of peanut butter, then rub the tissue on the tin. 

Which Tin Holds the Scent? True Negative

Handler lays out 5 tins. All tins must be completely free of scents. Dogs must offer a "true negative" response, showing there is no allergen present. 

Whistle/Whine

Dog should whistle/whine on cue. 

Yes, No, Maybe, Never (Gold)

Using two buttons with “Maybe” and “Never” audios or labels, ask your dog 5+ questions. Dog must either shake their head no, nod their head yes, or answer with the appropriate buttons. The dog can then answer the questions with "yes", "no", "maybe" or "never". Each answer should be used at least once, and the dog must answer the questions correctly. Please ensure the questions you ask have a definitive answer. 

Your Majesty

Handler offers their hand, dog bows, kisses handler’s hand and lays head on floor.

BONUS PERFORMANCE (4 Points) (Gold)

Six or more tricks sequenced to your choice of music for 90 seconds or more. Must include at least 4 gold tricks and 1 gold trick. You can reuse tricks previously ticked off for Gold.