Companion Dogs · NICS-07
Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance
30-day advanced dog trick performance course from NICS. Learn to chain tricks into audience-ready routines, proof against distraction, and deliver professional canine demonstrations.
- Advanced
- 30 days
- ₹29,999
- Onsite · Indore
About this course
Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance is a 30-day professional programme that takes a dog already reliable in the fifteen Foundation tricks and builds them into coherent, audience-ready performance sequences. Learners apply behaviour-chaining and back-chaining technique, proof each trick and sequence against performance-specific distraction, and develop the choreography and session-management skills needed to design a complete routine.
The practical skills developed include chaining multiple tricks into a smooth sequence with minimal handler cueing, proofing a dog's performance against noise, movement and unfamiliar audiences, and structuring a short, well-paced routine appropriate to a specific event or demonstration context.
The responsibility carried at this level includes genuine public-facing delivery: learners are assessed on their ability to produce a reliable performance in a realistic demonstration setting, not only inside a training facility, and to manage a dog's welfare and stress levels throughout an audience-facing session.
This course completes the NICS Dog Tricks & Enrichment pathway. Its chaining, proofing and public-delivery skills are directly transferable to other NICS Companion Dogs courses, particularly Companion Dog Handler and Show Dog Training.
Who this is for
- Graduates of Dog Tricks & Enrichment (Foundation)
- Professional trainers seeking to offer trick performance or demonstration services commercially
- Companion dog handlers preparing dogs for public events, showcases or content production
- Group class instructors developing showcase or demonstration content for clients
What you will learn
Theory
- Behaviour chaining and back-chaining, and why the last step of a chain is typically trained and reinforced first
- Distraction proofing specific to performance environments: noise, applause, movement and crowd proximity
- Choreography and session pacing for a coherent, audience-appropriate routine
- Generalisation across performance venues, surfaces and conditions
Practical
- Chaining multiple tricks into a smooth, minimally-cued sequence
- Proofing a trick sequence against realistic performance distraction
- Designing and rehearsing a complete routine appropriate to a specific event context
- Managing a dog's arousal and stress levels throughout a public-facing session
Professional Application
- Structuring a commercial trick-performance or demonstration service
- Coordinating with event organisers or clients on routine content and duration
- Adjusting a routine live in response to a dog's real-time condition
Safety & Welfare
- Managing physical demand across an extended performance routine, particularly for jump tricks
- Recognising performance-specific stress signals distinct from training-room stress signals
- Appropriate routine length and rest structuring for public-facing work
Problem Solving
- Diagnosing which specific trick in a chain is the weak link causing a sequence to break down
- Distinguishing genuine performance-environment overwhelm from a simple proofing gap
- Adjusting a routine live when a dog is not performing at its trained standard on the day
Curriculum highlights
- 1 Group 1 — Position & Contact: Shake Hand, Play Dead, Roll Over, Bow/Salute, Hug
- 2 Group 2 — Movement & Targeting: Spin, Walk Backwards, Go Around a Cone, Leg Weave, Walk Between the Legs
- 3 Group 3 — Engagement & Vocal: Catch a Treat in Air, Bark on Command, Ring a Bell
- 4 Group 4 — Physical: Hurdle Jump, Hula Hoop Jump
Day-by-day structure
| Day | Focus | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Baseline & Chaining Theory | Confirm Foundation-standard reliability across all 15 tricks; behaviour chaining and back-chaining theory introduced |
| 3–6 | Group 1 Chaining | Position & Contact tricks built into a sequence via back-chaining |
| 7–10 | Group 2 Chaining | Movement & Targeting tricks built into a flowing sequence |
| 11–13 | Group 3 Proofing | Engagement & Vocal tricks proofed against audience-level distraction |
| 14–17 | Group 4 Physical Sequencing | Jump tricks sequenced with recovery-aware pacing |
| 18–20 | Full Routine Assembly | All four groups assembled into a single complete routine |
| 21–23 | Distraction & Venue Proofing | Routine proofed against noise, movement and multiple surfaces |
| 24–26 | Generalisation (Handlers & Locations) | Routine practised with an alternate handler and in at least two locations |
| 27–28 | Simulated Performance | Full routine delivered in a simulated event or demonstration setting |
| 29 | Troubleshooting Clinic | Deliberate breakdown-and-rebuild exercises across the full routine |
| 30 | Final Assessment | Theory assessment; full practical routine assessment in a realistic performance-representative setting |
Outcomes
- Chain multiple individually trained tricks into a smooth, minimally-cued sequence using back-chaining
- Proof a trick sequence against performance-specific distraction: noise, movement and audience presence
- Design a coherent, appropriately paced performance routine
- Generalise a routine across different venues, surfaces and handlers
- Manage a dog's physical welfare and recovery throughout a routine involving jump tricks
- Diagnose and rebuild the specific weak link in an underperforming sequence
- Coordinate routine requirements professionally with an event organiser or client
- Make an appropriate live adjustment to a routine based on a dog's real-time condition
Frequently asked questions
Who can join this course?
This course is for graduates of Dog Tricks & Enrichment (Foundation), or learners who can demonstrate equivalent reliable command of all fifteen NICS Foundation trick behaviours.
Is previous experience required?
Yes. A working Foundation-level command of all fifteen trick behaviours is required before starting this course, since this programme chains and proofs those behaviours rather than teaching them from scratch.
How much practical training is included?
This course is heavily practical, with the majority of contact time spent on live-dog chaining, proofing and rehearsal, including simulated performance sessions in the final third of the course.
What theory is taught?
Learners study behaviour chaining and back-chaining, performance-specific distraction proofing, and choreography and session-pacing principles.
What training methods are used?
This course uses back-chaining, variable reinforcement and staged distraction proofing, all reward-based, consistent with the methodology used throughout the NICS pathway.
Is this course safe for all dogs, given the jump tricks?
Physical suitability is assessed individually, as in Dog Tricks & Enrichment (Foundation), and jump-trick sequencing is deliberately paced to allow recovery. Any dog showing physical limitation is managed conservatively rather than pushed to a performance standard.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is competency-based, covering theory, live-dog delivery of a complete routine under performance-representative distraction, and professional skills including event coordination and live adjustment.
Where can these skills be used professionally?
Graduates apply these skills in public demonstrations, pet-industry events, group class showcases, canine content production, and promotional appearances for pet businesses.
What is the next course in this pathway?
This course completes the NICS Dog Tricks & Enrichment pathway. Graduates frequently combine these skills with Companion Dog Handler or other NICS Companion Dogs specialisms.
What professional pathway does this course support?
This course completes the two-stage NICS Dog Tricks & Enrichment pathway: Dog Tricks & Enrichment (Foundation) → Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance.
Does completing this course guarantee employment or a training business?
No. This course provides structured professional training in advanced trick performance skills. It does not guarantee employment, income or business outcomes, which depend on the individual's further study, experience and effort.
How much does Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance cost?
The course fee for Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance is ₹29,999.
How long does Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance take to complete?
Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance runs for 30 Days.
What level is Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance?
Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance is an Advanced-level course, building directly on the skills taught in its Foundation-level course.
Which NICS pathway does Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance belong to?
Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance sits within the Companion Dogs pathway at the National Institute of Canine Studies.
Is Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance conducted online or in person?
Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance is delivered onsite through hands-on, in-person training at NICS.
What topics are covered in Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance?
Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance covers: Group 1 — Position & Contact: Shake Hand, Play Dead, Roll Over, Bow/Salute, Hug, Group 2 — Movement & Targeting: Spin, Walk Backwards, Go Around a Cone, Leg Weave, Walk Between the Legs, Group 3 — Engagement & Vocal: Catch a Treat in Air, Bark on Command, Ring a Bell, Group 4 — Physical: Hurdle Jump, Hula Hoop Jump.
What will I be able to do after completing Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance?
By the end of this course, students will be able to: Chain multiple individually trained tricks into a smooth, minimally-cued sequence using back-chaining Proof a trick sequence against performance-specific distraction: noise, movement and audience presence Design a coherent, appropriately paced performance routine Generalise a routine across different venues, surfaces and handlers Manage a dog's physical welfare and recovery throughout a routine involving jump tricks Diagnose and rebuild the specific weak link in an underperforming sequence Coordinate routine requirements professionally with an event organiser or client Make an appropriate live adjustment to a routine based on a dog's real-time condition
Who is Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance designed for?
Graduates of Dog Tricks & Enrichment (Foundation) Professional trainers seeking to offer trick performance or demonstration services commercially Companion dog handlers preparing dogs for public events, showcases or content production Group class instructors developing showcase or demonstration content for clients A working Foundation-level command of all fifteen NICS trick behaviours is required before starting this course.
Do I need to complete another course before Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance?
Yes — Dog Tricks & Enrichment (Foundation) is the recommended course to complete before starting Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance.
What is the NICS course code for Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance?
Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance is listed under NICS course code NICS-07.
How do I enrol in Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance?
You can enrol in Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance by selecting it in the NICS course catalogue and sending your enquiry via WhatsApp, or by using the enquiry button on this page.
Ready to enrol in Advanced Dog Tricks & Performance?
Enquire now, or add this course to a learning package. Package discounts of 5–20% are calculated automatically in the catalogue.