Springfield Missouri Dog Training Club

SMDTC offers a variety of training programs categorized into Pet Classes, Competition Obedience & Rally Classes, Scent Work Classes, and Tracking Classes.

Pet Classes include: AKC STAR Puppy (for puppies under 12 months, 6 weeks, covers house/crate training, grooming, socialization, basic obedience, earns AKC STAR Certificate); 4-6 Puppy Home Manners (for puppies 4-6 months, 7 weeks, teaches sit, down, stay, leash walking, come, home manners, includes book/workbook, first class is orientation); Home Manners (for dogs over 6 months, 7 weeks, covers same skills as 4-6 Puppy Home Manners, first class is orientation); Public Manners (prerequisite Home Manners, prepares for Canine Good Citizen test, includes off-leash recalls and stays, introduces competition training); Community Canine (prerequisite CGC Title, 5-week traveling class in local settings, practices public manners, offers CGCA title testing); Tricks I: Foundations (prerequisite Home Manners or 4-6 Home Manners, 6 weeks, teaches tricks for AKC Trick Dog Novice Title); and Tricks II: Intermediate & Advanced (prerequisite AKC Novice Title, 6 weeks, teaches tricks for AKC Trick Dog Intermediate/Advanced Titles).

Competition Obedience & Rally Classes include: Obedience/Rally Skills (prerequisite Public Manners, focuses on motivational methods for attention, heeling, signaling); Beginner Novice (prerequisite Obedience/Rally Skills, refines heeling, figure 8s, turns, stays with distractions, competition recalls, prepares for Beginner Novice titling); Beginner Rally (prerequisite Beginner Novice, teaches Rally Novice/Intermediate stations, rules, and course handling); Novice (prerequisite Beginner Novice, focuses on formal Novice exercises for trials, prepares for Novice title, allows drop-ins); Open/Utility (for learning and practicing Open and Utility exercises, allows drop-ins); and RingReady/Open/Utility (prerequisite CD title or instructor approval, includes Ring-Ready heeling and Open/Utility exercises, allows drop-ins).

Scent Work Classes range from Beginners (#1) establishing odor obedience with Birch, to Advanced (#2, #3, #4) introducing Anise and all four elements (Containers, Interiors, Exteriors, Buried), and Competition (#5, #6, #7, #8, #9) adding Clove and Cypress, focusing on Excellent/Master levels, buried intensive work, traveling searches, and Detective level challenges. Prerequisites apply for progression.

Tracking Classes include: Tracking Beginners (#1) (teaches dogs to follow human scent and indicate dropped articles for AKC tracking tests); Tracking Puppies (#2) (same as Beginners but tailored for dogs one year and younger); Tracking VST (#3) (prepares experienced dogs for AKC VST test, requires prior tracking experience); and Tracking TDX (#4) (prepares experienced dogs for AKC TDX test, requires prior tracking experience).

Pricing Summary

Membership dues are $35 for individuals, $40 for families, and $20 for junior members (ages 8-18) annually. Discounts include a $5 coupon for students in beginner classes (AKC Star Puppy, 4-6 months Puppy Home Manners, Home Manners) who did not purchase a package and wish to take a second course (Promo Code CP5). A $10 discount is available for dogs adopted from the SW MO Humane Society or a reputable rescue organization for their first class at SMDTC, upon presentation of an adoption contract (Promo Code R10). Only one discount can be applied per class.

Package pricing is available for a single dog, with classes to be taken consecutively and the second class within one year of purchase. Package 1, priced at $235 (a $25 savings), includes AKC Star Puppy (individually $125) and either 4-6 months Puppy Home Manners or Home Manners (individually $145 each). Package 2, priced at $245 (a $45 savings), includes Home Manners or 4-6 months Puppy Home Manners (individually $145 each) and Public Manners (individually $145). No other discounts or coupons can be applied to packaged class purchases.

Policies

SMDTC classes are canceled when Springfield Public Schools cancel due to winter weather conditions. In such cases, instructors will contact students, and session end dates are typically extended to make up for canceled classes. Students are advised to prioritize safety when deciding to travel in inclement weather.

Only one discount may be applied to any class. Package pricing is intended for a single dog, and classes must be taken consecutively, with the second class in the package completed within one year from the purchase date. No other discounts or coupons can be applied to packaged class purchases.

Becoming an active member, which qualifies for discounted classes, building key access, and annual title plaques, takes approximately two months and requires attendance at the second reading of the application. Active members must complete 24 volunteer hours annually, including 6 hours from meetings, and submit their hours by November 30. Volunteer hours do not carry forward from year to year. New members have adjusted volunteer hour requirements based on their membership starting month.

The Springfield, MO Dog Training Club (SMDTC) was established in 1970 as an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. It is dedicated to producing dogs that are trained and conditioned to behave well in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, aiming to encourage willingness and enjoyment from the dog while establishing necessary control.

SMDTC is licensed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1984 and is authorized to hold AKC Obedience, Rally, Agility, Tracking Tests & Variable Surface Tests, Scent Work, and Fast CAT Trials. The club also offers sanctioned AKC STAR puppy testing, CGC Testing, CGCA testing, CGCU testing, and AKC Tricks Titles testing.

With over 50 years of experience, SMDTC is the oldest training club in the Springfield, Missouri area. Their team of over 25 all-volunteer instructors undergoes a rigorous training process, including assisting in classes, extensive reading on dog training, attending seminars, and achieving specific accomplishments with their own dogs.

The training facility is located on the ground floor, is fully matted, and climate-controlled with air conditioning and heating. It includes two training rooms, restrooms, a pop machine, and a phone. The facility offers ample parking and fenced areas for exercising dogs. SMDTC provides state-of-the-art equipment for sports that require it and fosters a community of dog lovers.

Accomplishments

The Springfield Missouri Dog Training Club was established in 1970 and licensed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1984. It is the oldest training club in the Springfield, Missouri area, boasting over 50 years of experience. The club is licensed to hold AKC Obedience, Rally, Agility, Tracking Tests & Variable Surface Tests, Scent Work, and Fast CAT Trials. They also offer sanctioned AKC STAR puppy testing, CGC Testing, CGCA testing, CGCU testing, and AKC Tricks Titles testing.

Notable instructors include:
Pam Tynes, who has been training since 1989 and has earned multiple titles (2 CDs, 1-UCD, 2-UAGIs, 1-UAGII, 1-UACH, 1-ThDA, 3 CGCs) on three Dalmatians. She has been a member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) for approximately 14 years and has served as SMDTC President (2004-2006) and Training Director (2012-2014). She is also a member of Pet Therapy of the Ozarks.

Cathy Hawkins, a CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer), has been training dogs since 1971. She created the first obedience classes at SMDTC and has titled dogs from various groups including sporting, herding, working, hound, and terrier. Cathy is the founder and director of Camp Jigsaw, an AKC tracking camp, and is an approved AKC TD/TDX judge. She is a professional member of the APDT and was the first person in Missouri to be certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.

Susan Gilbert is the current Training Director for SMDTC and has been teaching for the club since 1988, having titled three German Shepherds and three Golden Retrievers. Cheryl Dorsey graduated from National K-9 School for Dog Trainers in 1982 and has titled many dogs in different sports, with her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pyro, earning 65 titles across various disciplines.

How to Get Started!

To get started with classes, dog owners can sign up directly through the provided registration link. For those interested in membership, an application must be filled out, and dues for the current year must accompany the application. Membership takes approximately two months to become valid, requiring presence at the second reading of the application.