get your k9 a akc virtual home manners title

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Virtual Home Manners (VHM) offers a solution for training your dog within the comfort of your home. Ideal for both puppies and new adult dogs, VHM equips you with practical skills before attending formal training classes.

Evaluation of a dog's proficiency in ten home manners skills will be conducted through video recordings. VHM provides two levels: Virtual Home Manners Puppy (VHMP) and Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA). Dogs that demonstrate these skills successfully will be granted these titles.

The Virtual Home Manners tests assess ten essential skills necessary for well-behaved pet dogs in a home environment. These skills encompass the owner's ability to maintain control over the dog, facilitate enjoyable walks (a common desire among dog owners), and foster a strong bond during playtime.

Begin by training your dog the following 10 steps: 

Choose by appropriate age.

 Puppy Title (3 months [12 weeks] to 1 year) 

1. Allows owner to pet  (head/chin, shoulders, back)

2. Grooming - brushing by owner (back/chest) 

3. Sit on command - can use lure 

4. Down on command - can use lure

5. Comes when called - from 10 ft in house 

6. Go to place - stay 15 seconds

7. House-trained - owner attests, describes  training 

8. Demonstrates relationship  Plays indoors - w/ family member/owner  (Choose 1: gets stuffed animal, ball, simple  trick, preferred game, etc.)

9. Out for a walk - outside on leash  (straight line - 20 ft)

10. Exercise outside - w/ family member/owner  (fetch toy, chase, swims, run with owner) 

 Adult Dog Title (4 mos - on) 

1. Owner pets, then grooms dog (head/chin, shoulders, back, chest, belly;  check ears and feet)

2. Sit on command (no lure)

3. Down on command (no lure)

4. Comes when called indoors (from 20 ft. or another room)

5. Manners related to food  Choose 1: _____ owner has a snack  _____ owner puts dog’s dish down 

6. Doorbell\knock - dog behaves appropriately

7. Go to place/crate - stay 1 minute

8. Demonstrates relationship Plays indoors - w/ family member/owner  

• Choose 1: ____ hide & seek  ____ scent game (3 cups)  ____ do a trick ____ toy, stuffed animal, etc. 

9. Out for a walk  Do both: _____ leash on, calmly exit door  _____ walk on loose leash 

10. Exercise outside - w/ family member/owner  

• Choose 1: ____ fetch or catch disc/toy  ____ other: ____________ 

Visit the American Kennel Club website for more information.

Once your dog can perform the 10 required tricks, video them. You can either combine the  videos into one video that you upload to YouTube or you can send 10 individual videos to K9 Titles. You can also send videos via Facebook

• Please keep each trick video under 20 seconds (or a combined total video time of less than 3 min)
• You can send videos or link to videos via text or email. 

Once you have videos of your dog performing the tricks required, it is time to contact K9 Titles via text or email them. You can either combine the  videos into one video that you upload to YouTube or you can send 10 individual videos to K9 Titles. 

• Please keep each trick video under 20 seconds (or a combined total video time of less than 3 min)
• You can send videos or link to videos via text or email. 
• Include your name & contact information, dogs' registered name  & AKC registration number, and breed.
• Send a picture of your dog for record keeping (please note: these may also be used for advertising purposes)

Now that K9 Titles has your information,  we will evaluate your video.

 1. After watching the video, once the dog passes, the Evaluator will send the combined Checklist/Video Verification Form to the dog owner. The Evaluator will also send a copy of this form to AKC.

2. The dog owner will send to AKC:
a) the Checklist/Video Verification, and
b) the Virtual Home Manners form along with a fee of $30.00*.  

3. The AKC will then process your paperwork and award your title and certificate.

For more information and the required AKC forms, please go to:https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/akc-family-dog-program/virtual-home-manners/

CONSIDER MOVING ON TO MORE TITLES AND CERTIFICATIONS WITH AKC & K9 TITLES !