Capital Dog Training Club

Service area: Silver Spring, MD, and Washington, DC area.

Capital Dog Training Club offers a variety of classes structured in progressive levels. Puppy Kindergarten is for puppies 10-20 weeks old, focusing on socialization, basic commands (sit, down, loose lead walking, recalls), handling, and confidence building, with an option for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification.

Family Dog classes progress from Family Dog 1 (for dogs over 20 weeks old, covering basic manners like sit, down, stays, loose lead walking, recalls, and common behavior problems) to Family Dog 2 + CGC (building on skills with duration, distance, and distraction, and preparing for the Canine Good Citizen test).

Competition Obedience classes start with “Heeling, Fronts and Finishes” (an 8-week intensive class on critical competition skills), followed by Beginner Novice, Novice, Upper-Level Obedience Skills (retrieving, jumping, scent discrimination), Open, and Utility levels. Rally Obedience classes include “Heeling, Fronts and Finishes,” Rally Novice, Rally Advanced, and Rally Competition/Excellent, focusing on AKC-style Rally.

Agility classes are offered at all levels from Foundations and Introduction to Beginner, Handling A & B, and Competition, generally 6 to 8 weeks in length. Specialized agility skills courses like Weaves & Teeters, Distance, and Short Sequences are also available. Dogs must be at least one year old for most agility classes (except Foundations) and have completed a basic obedience course. Agility class registration is contingent upon evaluation and approval by the Assistant Training Director, and there is a waitlist for introductory agility.

Pricing Summary

Class prices are listed with specific class schedules. For example, Rally Competition is $160.00 and Rally Novice is $200.00 for 6-8 class sessions. Puppy Kindergarten is $200.00 for 8 class sessions. Payments are collected when directed by CDTC Staff.

Policies

In case of inclement weather, an email message will be sent to all members via CDTC@Groups.io announcing class cancellations. Non-members may check the top of the webpage for closure announcements.

Capital Dog Training Club (CDTC) is an all-volunteer organization established in 1947 and formed in 1938. It is one of the oldest obedience training clubs in America, incorporated in Washington, D.C. Their mission is to educate and assist dog owners, offering training classes to the public since its inception.

CDTC provides training and activities for all dogs, purebred or mixed breed, in a fully matted, indoor, climate-controlled facility located in Silver Spring, MD. They offer classes for various disciplines including Puppy Kindergarten, Family Dog classes, Competition Obedience, Agility, Rally, Canine Good Citizen Prep, Conformation, Tricks, Scent Work, and Freestyle.

The club has a rich history of promoting dog sports and has been instrumental in standardizing practices within the dog fancy, such as campaigning to standardize scent articles to wood, metal, and leather. They have also developed an Agility Program and Freestyle classes, and host popular obedience run-thrus.

CDTC emphasizes an inclusive attitude, welcoming all dogs from the tiniest Papillon to the most impressive Irish Wolfhound. Their instructors are dedicated to helping owners train their dogs, fostering a strong bond between dogs and handlers. The club also hosts annual AKC Trials for Obedience & Rally and Agility, and offers Therapy Dog International (TDI) tests.

Accomplishments

Capital Dog Training Club (CDTC) was formed in 1938 and incorporated in Washington, D.C. on January 13, 1947, making it one of the oldest obedience training clubs in America. The club became a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1949.

CDTC held its first Obedience Trial in 1946 and introduced new classes like Novice C (now Graduate Novice), devised by Skip Pierson, and the Brace class. They campaigned to standardize scent articles to wood, metal, and leather. The club was instrumental in forming the Association of Obedience Clubs and Judges.

In the 1970s, Helen Brigham, Training Director, wrote the Instructor’s Manual. In the 1980s, members Jerusha Gurvin, Joan Adler, Wendy Eli, and Mary Allen Hood created the “About Your Dog” manual. The club held its first Canine Good Citizenship test in the mid-90s, started Flyball training in 1992, and added Freestyle activities in 1994. CDTC has fielded many successful competition teams, including national recognition with dogs placing in the top 10 for their breed, and members have earned advanced titles such as Utility Dog, Utility Dog Excellent, Obedience Master, and Obedience Trial Champion.

How to Get Started!

For new agility students, you need to start with either Foundations or Introductory Agility. To get on the wait-list for introductory agility, fill out the Questionnaire and email the Agility Program. The waitlist is currently several months. Once your name comes off the waitlist, you will need to pass a “test-in” to ensure your dog has the necessary obedience skills and temperament for a multi-dog class setting, where some portions are off-leash. If you have taken agility classes elsewhere, fill out the Questionnaire and contact the Agility Program to discuss appropriate class placement.

For other classes, you can click “Take Me Straight to Registration” or “Class Schedule & Registration” links to view available classes and enroll. For Family Dog classes, you can sign up to be notified when new classes are listed if none are currently available.