IPTC 2026
Thurs April 2 - Sun April 5, 2026
Center on Halsted - Chicago, Illinois, USA
The International Puppy & Trainer Contest (IPTC) is meant to be the pinnacle of the human-pet play community for the International Community.
The contest, its producers, titleholders, and staff lead as an example of what it is to be of service to the alternative lifestyle community around the world.
Eligibility Requirements
Contestants should be a current or former titleholder in the Puppy and Trainer community who has not had an opportunity to compete at IPTC. (exceptions on a case-by-case basis).
Contestants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of the contest.
Contestants must prepare and bring with them an auction basket to contribute to the winner’s title fund.
Contestants must be present April 2 – April 5, 2026 in Chicago, IL, USA.
Contestants must participate in all portions of the contest.
Contestants may only have one backstage assistant/contestant handler at a time, unless there is an accessibility need, due to limited space backstage.
Contestants will need to pay a non-refundable $50 USD application fee (Hardship case exceptions will be considered by contacting us at info@iptc.dog)
Expectations of Titleholders
- IPTC Titleholders are ambassadors of inclusion, diversity, and the Puppy and Trainer community.
- Titleholder(s) must uphold the IPTC Mission, Core Values, and Code of Conduct, conducting themselves in a manner that reflects positively on themselves, IPTC, and the community they represent, both in person and online.
- During their title year, the IPTC Titleholder(s) are expected to actively represent the International Puppy and Trainer Contest by attending leather, puppy, pet, rubber/latex, and other fetish/BDSM events that promote IPTC and the broader community.
- Titleholder(s) are further encouraged to travel outside their home continent at least once during their title year to foster international connections and community engagement.
- The titleholder(s) should maintain regular and frequent contact (at least monthly) with the IPTC Contest Producers to assist in the planning and promotion of their title year.
- The titleholder(s) must provide consistent social media updates on travel and events.
- You must notify the Contest Producers if you are unable to fulfil your duties as the current title holder(s) due to health, travel, or personal reasons.
- IPTC titleholder(s) must refrain from competing, seeking, or accepting a title in any other contest/pageant of a similar nature until the conclusion of their IPTC Title year, unless approved in writing by IPTC Contest Producers.
- On the Sunday of the weekend, the IPTC Titleholder(s) will meet with the Contest Producers to review expectations listed in this document, the title fund, and explore opportunities for the upcoming title year.
- These expectations are in effect for as long as you publicly hold or refer to your IPTC title, or represent yourself in connection with IPTC.
- IPTC Titleholder(s) are expected to return the following year to give their step-down speech.
- IPTC Titleholder(s) are expected to return the year following the conclusion of their title year(s) to serve as Judge(s).
- Any alleged violations of these expectations will be reviewed by the Contest Producers, who hold sole authority to determine appropriate actions or disciplinary measures.
Official Contest Rules
The following are the official rules of the contest. These rules may be amended by the producers of the contest if the need arises. Any contestant found to not be following the rules will be subject to discipline, which may take the form of point reduction or disqualification.
Any Pup/Trainer Titleholder from 2019 and up is eligible to participate in the 2025 IPTC contest. As long as the title is not in conflict with a regional feeder contest, and as long as the Title contest is aligned with the Mission, Core Values, and Code of Conduct of the IPTC contest. The producers will have the final decision on a contestant’s eligibility. All applications will be reviewed by the Producers before approving contestants to compete. Applications must be submitted by February 28, 2025.
- At the time of application, social media accounts may be reviewed. Any questions regarding past behavior will be addressed at this time. Examples would be (but are not limited to): symbols that promote racism or bigotry, speech that squelches diversity and inclusion, rhetoric that is consistently inflammatory in nature, espousal of willful consent violations.
- All contestants will participate in all categories of the contest, as given under the scoring guidelines.
- All contestants will bring to the event 1 at least one basket of donated goods to be sold at auction. Themed baskets bring in the most money, and it is always wise to consider your audience.
- Contestants shall not attempt to sway the judges through gifts, meals, favors, or any other kind of items or acts that could be seen as bribery.
- Illegal substance use is prohibited (Non-Medical) and is subject to the rules of the contest location.
- Excessive use of alcohol will likely result in a reduction of points in the Lifestyle Image portion.
- Nudity and actual sex acts are not permitted on the stage. All contestants must have front genitals covered with opaque material at all times, and the buttocks must be covered by a minimum of a 1” strap. Per City of Chicago city’s municipal code section 8-8-080 Titled “Indecent Exposure or Dress,” the ordinance prohibits women from exposing to public view “any portion of the breast at or below the areola.” Women are required to cover their breasts with an “opaque covering.” The ordinance does not prohibit men from being topless in public.
- All rules and regulations imposed by the IPTC event must be followed. Removal from the IPTC event will result in immediate disqualification from the contest.
- The producers reserve the right to amend these rules as necessary. If this occurs, all parties involved will be notified.
- The producers and the staff of the contest do not have any authority to override any judge’s decision. The head judge is in charge of the judging team. In case of a tie, the Head Judge will make the final decision.
- If there is any question on the integrity of the scoring or other activities, it will then be reviewed by the producers and a final decision will be made.
- Contestants must agree that if they win they will represent the International Puppy or Trainer title throughout the title year as explained in the section entitled “Expectations of Titleholders”.
- In the event of a first runner-up, the first runner-up agrees to assume the title, privileges, and responsibilities if the titleholder voluntarily resigns or involuntarily is removed.
- The title year is defined as beginning when a Contestant is named the winner of the International Puppy and Trainer contest and concludes at the following year’s contest when a new winner is announced.
- After the contest, the winners will meet with the Producers to discuss and begin planning how the titleholder will meet the expectations as listed in the “Expectation of Titleholders” document. The titleholders will also be expected to sign an additional photo release that covers all future events in which the winner is representing IPTC as the titleholder.
- Fraternization with the Judges: International Puppy and Trainer contestants are encouraged to get to know the judges and interact with them. However, contestants are prohibited from having private meetings or engaging in any sexual activity or scene play with the judges prior to the announcement of the contest results. Any behavior that might create the appearance of bias will be brought to the attention of the Producers, who along with the Head Judge (if not involved) will decide if the disqualification of the judge and/or contestant is warranted. To avoid accidental violation of this policy and possible removal from the contest, contestants and judges will be introduced to each other prior to the beginning of the contest weekend. Additionally, all contestants and judges must display their identification badges at all times throughout the weekend.
Scoring Guidelines
- Contestant’s scoring is based on an Olympic-style 1000-point system.
- Under an Olympic-style scoring system, the highest and lowest scores for each category are excluded.
- Contestants must score a minimum of 80% of all available points, or no title will be awarded.
- For each title, the contestant with the highest score will be declared the winner, provided they meet the minimum point threshold.
- Each contestant is judged individually.
- In the event of a numerical tie, the previously excluded scores are added back to determine the winner.
- In the event the scores still result in a tie, the Head Judge will award a tie-breaking point.
The Sections are as follows:
Each contestant will participate in a private, in-person interview. The head judge will establish the order in which the judges’ panel will ask questions. Each judge should get the opportunity to ask each contestant at least one question. These may include, but are not limited to, questions regarding contestants’ social media presence, the contestant application, knowledge of puppy play, fetishes, interactions and engagement within their community, willingness and ability to represent the title, and the contestant themselves.
The length of the interview will vary year by year, depending upon the size of the contestant class. The general length of the interview can vary between 10-15 minutes.
The contestants will deliver a speech on stage during the contest. This speech can be on any topic the contestant wishes, but must be recited from memory. The speech may not be read unless prior accommodations have been approved by the Contest Producers.
The judges will award points based on speech content and delivery.
The speech should be between ninety (90) seconds and one hundred and twenty (120) seconds in length.
Each speech will be timed by the Head judge. The Head Judge will inform the rest of the judges’ panel of the recorded length after each speech. The Judges will enter the total time into the scoring application. Point deductions happen automatically as outlined below.
Starting at 2:05, one (1) point will be deducted, and one (1) point for each additional 5 seconds will be deducted.
The points deducted will be standard across the contestants, but in cases of circumstances outside the contestant’s control, the Contest Producers may adjust requirements and penalties.
Judges will observe all contestants during the course of the event weekend.
Judging officially begins immediately following the contestant meeting.
Any contestant arriving late should expect a reflection of this in their total points.
Contestants should make an effort to meet each judge during the Meet & Sniff event.
From their observations, judges will award Lifestyle points based on their observations of how each contestant behaves, interacts, and engages with their fellow contestants, judges, staff, or any other person during the weekend.
The judges will observe the contestants as they answer 2 unknown questions. The questions are randomized and are created by the Judges Panel and the Contest Producers. Typically, one question is related to community service and one question is meant to be more light-hearted. The purpose of the pop questions is to see if the titleholder is prepared for the unknown questions that always arise in their travels.
The contestants will perform a scene, no longer than 3 minutes in length.
Due to state law, no nudity is allowed on stage, and any sexual acts must be acted out, not performed. Scenes are expected to be respectful to the community at large. All contestants must inform the Contest Producers of any scenes with extremely taboo topics or edge play, as well as provide trigger warnings to be read on-stage by the MC. Failure to do so may result in disqualification by the Contest Producer.
There are no microphones furnished, so spoken words are expected to be on the background tracks. Contestants are encouraged to have music or background tracks submitted to the contestant coordinators, no less than 2 weeks before the contest. The contestants may have up to two additional people on stage to help with the scene. Practice time on the stage will be given. All music/background tracks must be digital in MP3 format.
The Show Ring Presentation demonstrates to the judges how well the contestant works with a pup or trainer in a one-on-one situation.
Points will be awarded for how well the contestant gives/receives instruction, comfort level in front of a crowd, and overall attentiveness to the other participant.
This category will also allow the contestants to showcase their headspace in their respective roles as pup or trainer. Judges will also look for authenticity in each contestant’s approach to the lifestyle.
During this portion of the contest, the room will be set as a show ring with the audience and judges set around the performance area.
Each contestant will enter the ring with a partner of their choosing.
The pairs will enter the show ring and perform a preset routine.
This will include, but is not limited to, the walk onto the ring, stack, a walk around the ring as the puppy is displayed to the audience, stack, 1st trick (surprise) as determined by the contest, stack, 2nd trick (surprise) as determined by the contest, stack, a personality trick, stack, possible examination, then exit.
Puppies will be expected to return to a “stacked” position between each section. Examples of common commands given include, but are not limited to, sit pretty, stay, shake, and rollover.