Kalamazoo Kennel Club

Kalamazoo Kennel Club offers a variety of dog training classes including Agility, Obedience, and Conformation.

Agility classes range from “Foundations for Performance dogs” (6 months+) focusing on impulse control, motivation, focus, teamwork, body awareness, and beginning obstacles like tunnels and cones, to “Obstacles I” (1 year+) for jump training and sequencing, “Obstacles II” for full height and independence on obstacles, “Skills & Drills” for individualized work on handling and obstacle skills, and “Coursework” for full AKC Agility Courses. A “Masters” class is available for actively competing teams, and “Drop-In” sessions for running complete courses outdoors.

Obedience classes include “AKC STAR PUPPY CLASS” (10 weeks to 6 months) covering basic communication, housetraining, chewing, and commands like sit, stay, heel, and recall, leading to the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction. “BEGINNING OBEDIENCE” (6 months+) continues from Star Puppy, focusing on general behaviors and control. The “AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN (CGC)” program prepares dogs for good manners at home and in the community, leading to an official AKC title. Competitive Obedience classes (Novice, Open, Utility) are designed for those interested in competition.

Rally is offered as a newer form of obedience allowing verbal communication while navigating a course. Conformation classes are drop-in sessions held on Tuesdays, with “Beginning” classes teaching proper ring procedures, speed, patterns, showmanship, presentation, table work, attention, standing, stacking, free stacking, and gaiting. An “Advanced” class is available for seasoned veterans preparing new puppies/dogs for the show ring.

Pricing Summary

Specific pricing for training classes is not provided, but registration forms are available for download. The facility is available for rental, with the indoor arena costing $250 for six hours or less, and $40 for each additional hour. Outside grounds and meeting space are $100 for four hours or less, with additional time at $25 per hour. Rental of show equipment like ring gates, obedience jumps, and some agility equipment is also available, along with RV electrical hook-ups for $10 per day.

Kalamazoo Kennel Club is an organization established in 1948, dedicated to promoting and educating all aspects of purebred dogs. They aim to advance canine health and well-being, good sportsmanship in competition, and responsible dog ownership.

The club provides classes, information, and tools to help dogs become well-behaved community members, offering a fun outlet for owners. They are involved in providing current information to the public on issues such as training, showing, and responsible dog ownership.

The KKC Activity Center is a vibrant facility open for training and meetings most weeknights, also hosting fun matches, seminars, and trials on weekends that are open to the general public. The club has the necessary equipment and expertise to train dogs in obedience, conformation, rally, and agility.

Accomplishments

The club was established in 1948. They have approved AKC Judges: James Fankhauser (Sporting, Working, Herding Groups, Best in Show, various breeds, Conformation, Junior Showmanship) and Cheryl Shea (Rally Obedience).

How to Get Started!

For classes, individuals can register for an obedience or agility class, or come to one of their drop-in conformation classes. Registration forms are available for download for Agility and Obedience. Conformation classes are drop-in and require no pre-registration. For more information on obedience classes, contact the Obedience Chairperson or the obedience class registrar.