Ithaca Dog Training

The Ithaca Dog Training Club offers a structured progression of training programs. Beginner obedience classes are open to the public, starting with AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy for young dogs (3-9 months), followed by Beginner 1 (for dogs 6 months and up with no prior formal training), Beyond Beginner 1, Beginner 2, and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) preparation. These classes cover basic manners, attention, leash walking, handling, sit, down, recall, wait, and stay.

Upon completing two beginner classes (at least one being Beginner 2 or higher), students are invited to become IDTC members. Membership is a prerequisite for advanced classes in Obedience, Rally, and Agility. Advanced Obedience and Rally classes focus on competition preparation, proofing, and specific skills like heeling, turns, and jumps. Agility classes build confidence with equipment and advance to handling and proofing skills. Members can also join the IDTC Agility League for trial-like experience. Occasionally, the club offers other specialized classes such as FitDog, Happy Ratters, Nosework (Scentwork), CGC-A, Obedience/Attention Games, and Introduction to Dog Sports.

Pricing Summary

Beginner classes cost $110 per session for non-members. For members, the fee is $90 for inactive members and $40 for active members. Annual membership fees are $50 for an individual, $60 for a family, and $35 for a junior (under 18). New members joining after July 1st are considered members through December of the following year. Reinstated members pay the annual fee and are considered inactive for their first year. An initiation fee of $75 or $150 may apply depending on the membership path.

Policies

The Ithaca Dog Training Club does not accept aggressive or reactive dogs in their classes. All dogs over four months of age must have current rabies vaccinations, and puppies under three months are discouraged from attending classes due to incomplete immunity. If a student does not secure a spot in a class, they will be placed on a waitlist for the current session, but this waitlist does not carry over to subsequent sessions.

Active membership requires members in good standing to perform at least 10 hours of volunteer work for the club, attend at least three meetings per year, and pay annual dues. Members facing extreme circumstances may request an exemption from meeting or volunteer hour requirements by submitting a written request to the secretary between the October and November scheduled meetings.

The Ithaca Dog Training Club, established in 1951, is a community-focused organization dedicated to helping dog owners train their companions for better behavior and prepare for various dog sports. They welcome all breeds and mixes, catering to both those interested in serious competition and those seeking a well-behaved family pet. Their philosophy emphasizes responsible dog ownership and teaching handlers to train their dogs using methods and tools tailored to individual dog needs.

The club’s primary activity involves running dog training classes. They offer beginning obedience classes to the general public, while advanced agility, obedience, and rally classes are available to club members. Classes typically run in seven-week sessions, held approximately every two months, and are usually one hour long.

Beyond classes, IDTC fosters a strong community among dog enthusiasts. They host monthly club meetings featuring speakers on diverse dog-related topics and demonstrations of canine sports. The club actively participates in community outreach, including obedience and agility demonstrations at local schools, universities, and community events. They also organize special events like seminars and practice matches, which are open to the public, with members receiving priority for limited spaces.

Accomplishments

The Ithaca Dog Training Club, Inc. was founded in 1951, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to dog training. In 2011, the club hosted its first independent performance trial, a CPE (Canine Performance Events) Agility Trial. Marty Gold was honored with the IDTC Good Sportsmanship Award for her extensive contributions, including instructing Beginner 1 and Beyond Beginner 1 classes, assisting in various offerings, volunteering for club maintenance, and serving as the CPE Committee Chair.

Club members and their dogs have achieved numerous titles and awards across various disciplines. These include CATE, C-ATCH, Rally Novice, CPE Level 3, AKC Novice Container & Buried Titles, Best of Breeds, AKC ACT2, Service Dog Certification, Fast Cat (with over 1,000 points), NW3 overall, Advanced Herding Trial, AKC Trick Dog Intermediate, AKC Bronze Grand Championship, AKC Scentwork legs, AKC Rally Excellent, CPE Agility C-ATCH3, Senior Hunter, and PAX. Notably, Toka, an Akita and deaf dog, earned the AKC Scent Work Master Elite title and was inducted into the Akita Club of America Hall of Fame. Kiyo, also a deaf Akita, achieved NACSW’s NW3, Elite 1, 2, 3, and Elite Champion titles, became a Trick Dog Champion, and was the first Akita to earn the AKC Trick Dog Performer title, also recognized in the Akita Club of America Hall of Fame.

How to Get Started!

To begin training with the Ithaca Dog Training Club, prospective students should monitor the announcements section on the club’s homepage to learn when online registration opens, typically about a month before the next session begins. Registration forms are submitted online via the “Next Session” page. Submitting a form does not guarantee a spot, as classes fill based on application order, with members receiving priority if they register within the first hour of opening.

For those unsure about class placement or interested in club membership, the Training Committee organizes dog evaluations 6-8 times per year on weekends and evenings. An evaluation request can be submitted online. The committee generally recommends puppy class for dogs under 6 months and Beginner 1 for dogs 6 months and older. Advanced classes are exclusively for IDTC members who meet specific prerequisites.