Monterey Bay Dog Training – Watsonville Training Classes

Monterey Bay Dog Training Club offers year-round classes at various levels, promoting sound dog training techniques to help dogs become mannerly pets. They employ Positive Reinforcement.

Class levels include Puppy (for puppies 4 to 6 months, focusing on socialization, basic commands, and common “puppy problems”), Beginning I (for dogs over 6 months or puppy class graduates, covering walking quietly, sit, sit-stay, down, down-stay, stand at side, come when called, and sit in front of handler), and Beginning II (for dogs who completed Beginning I, focusing on more controlled stays, advanced heeling, recalls, hand signals, and Canine Good Citizen certification instruction).

Intermediate (reviewing Sub-novice exercises, introducing out-of-sight sits and downs, holding articles, retrieve, and obedience trial jumps), Novice (for dogs firm on sub-novice routine, sit and down stays, off-lead recalls, and stand for examination), Open Beginners and Advanced (for formal Open exercises), and Utility (for formal Utility exercises). They also offer Rally and Conformation classes for all levels, and a 4-week AKC Trick Dog class (requires Beginner 1 and good sit/down stay).

Pricing Summary

An eight-week training session costs $120. A four-week Trick Dog Class in Watsonville costs $60. Registration can be completed by mailing a registration form, payment (cash is not accepted), and a copy of dog vaccination records to their PO Box, or by registering online.

Policies

A PDF document detailing Training Class Policies is available for download, but the specific policies are not detailed in the provided content. Required equipment for classes includes a 6-foot leather leash and a metal training collar, both of which are available for purchase. Soft treats are recommended for training.

Monterey Bay Dog Training Club, Inc. has been providing knowledgeable, professional obedience training to dog owners in Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties since 1966. They are recognized as the very first Dog Training Club and AKC Member obedience club in the area. They offer training at all levels, including puppy, beginning 1 & 2, novice, open, utility, and all levels of Rally classes. They also provide Conformation classes and AKC Trick Dog classes.

Their training facilities are located at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville and at the MidCountySeniorCenter on Bay Ave in Capitola. They promote sound dog training techniques to help dogs become mannerly pets that live well at home, travel well, and can show well in dog sports. They employ Positive Reinforcement and assist in limiting unwanted behaviors.

Key advantages include experienced and highly certified trainers who continuously update their knowledge, classes that emphasize socialization (including the Canine Good Citizen test), and their status as an AKC member club that hosts annual trials in agility, obedience, rally, tracking, and scent work. The club is also involved in community initiatives such as their “Gifts from the Heart” program, which provides funds for veterinary aid, offers information resources, creates volunteer opportunities, and awards an annual $1000 scholarship to a UC Davis veterinary student from the tri-county area.

Accomplishments

Monterey Bay Dog Training Club, Inc. was founded in 1966 and holds the distinction of being the very first Dog Training Club and AKC Member obedience club recognized in its service area. The club has been conducting training classes for over 55 years.

Their instructors have notable accomplishments: Carol Davis has been a trainer with MBDTC since 1996, achieving two Breed Champions, one Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH), 68 Obedience, and 17 Rally titles with her dogs. She and her dog Misty won First Place Blue Ribbon in the AKC Rally National Championship. Dorothy Mash has over 30 years of experience teaching group classes and private lessons at four Bay Area dog training clubs, having put obedience titles on Doberman Pinchers, Miniature Pinchers, and Golden Retrievers. Luane Vidak, a retired MBDTC trainer, began in dog obedience in 1964 and trained professionally since the late 60s, accumulating 29 obedience titles, 18 agility titles, 6 Hunt titles, 3 Versatile Companion Dog titles, 1 Tracking Champion, 1 Rally title, and multiple Bench Champions.

How to Get Started!

To enroll in classes, dog owners can download and mail a registration form along with payment (cash is not accepted) and a copy of their dog’s vaccination records to the provided PO Box. Alternatively, online registration is available, with specific opening dates for new classes. Returning trainees are advised to log in using their previously provided email address to retain their registration and dog information. If a desired class is full, individuals can contact MBDTC to be added to a waiting list.

For club membership consideration, applicants must complete at least one training session with the Club (attending at least 6 classes), or attend one Club general meeting, or volunteer at one Club event (such as trials, workshops, or CGC tests). Additionally, applicants need sponsorship signatures from two current MBDTC members in good standing. After meeting these criteria, the applicant’s name is presented to Club members for review and voting during general meetings, requiring a 3/4 approval from members present.