Dragon Initiation Program

"Ten boys, including Hiccup, were hoping to become full members of the Tribe by passing the Dragon Initiation Program"

- How to Train Your Dragon

The Dragon Initiation Program is a coming-of-age ritual for boys of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe to be accepted as fully-fledged Vikings of the Tribe.

Dragon Catching Day - Catching a Dragon
The first step for the Hooligan Novices is to get a Hunting dragon. It will test the novices' courage and burglary skills. Hunting dragon species grow to various sizes but not large enough to be a Riding dragon. These dragons will hunt and fish for the Viking and sometimes become considered pets. They function as dogs for the Vikings.

Most dragon species go into hibernation in the Winter. In the Isle of Berk, thousands of juvenile dragons congregate in the Dragon Nursery at the Wild Dragon Cliff. The novices must climb to the entrance of the caves, quietly enter and select a sleeping dragon. The dragon is placed in a 'dragon basket', a lidded basket with shoulder straps. Failure to return to the teacher (currently Gobber the Belch) will result in exile from the Tribe. Waking or angering the sleeping dragons may result in death.

Training a Hunting Dragon
"Lesser humans train hawks to hunt for them, horses to carry them. It is only the VIKING HEROES who dare to tame the wildest, most dangerous creatures on Earth."

- Gobber

Initiation Day - Dragon Training Test
Testing a novice's dragon training skills takes place as part of the Thor's-day Thursday Celebrations.

Appearances
How to Train Your Dragon The first book in the How to Train Your Dragon Book Series covers the Dragon Initiation of Hooligan Novices, particularly focusing on Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.