Tri Cities Dog Training Club of Saginaw Bay (TCDTC)

Tri Cities Dog Training Club offers a variety of obedience and competitive dog sports classes. Classes typically run 8-10 weeks, with Winter/Spring sessions from January to June and Fall sessions from August to November.

Obedience classes include Puppy (for puppies 8-20 weeks old), Basic Level One (for dogs at least 5 months old), Basic Level Two (a continuation of Basic One), and Advanced Obedience. Competitive Obedience classes prepare dogs for AKC trials, including Novice (for Companion Dog title), Open (for Companion Dog Excellent title), and Utility (for Utility Dog title), focusing on off-leash control, retrieving, jumping, and scent discrimination.

Rally classes cover Novice, Intermediate & Advanced, and Excellent levels, providing instruction on performing exercises for AKC titles. The AKC Canine Good Citizen Program® (CGC) is offered to teach responsible ownership and good manners. Conformation is a drop-in class to fine-tune handling skills for the breed ring. Other special classes include Trick Dog Prep Seminar (AKC-eligible) and Nose Work (offered periodically). Members can also participate in Group Heeling sessions.

Pricing Summary

Puppy Obedience Class is $120 for 8 weeks. Advanced Basic Obedience Class is $150 for 10 weeks. Conformation Class is $10 per session, meeting bi-weekly. Training fees must be paid before you and your dogs are allowed to work on the training floor. There is a $25 fee assessed for checks returned for insufficient funds.

Policies

Training fees must be paid before class. No refunds are given once a dog has worked on the training floor. A $25 fee applies to returned checks.

Dogs must be up-to-date on Distemper, Parvovirus, and Rabies vaccines (as applicable by age), with proof from a veterinarian’s printout. Dogs that are ill, suspected of illness, or have had an infectious disease are not permitted without a health certificate. Dogs displaying aggression may be required to wear a muzzle or be asked to leave the class. Attack-trained dogs are not allowed. Handlers must wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes. Dogs must be on leash at all times unless working off-leash in advanced classes and must be under control. Students are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.

Tri Cities Dog Training Club of Saginaw Bay, Inc. was organized in 1972 as a non-profit organization. They own, train, and show their own dogs and promote the sport of obedience by offering the community an obedience training program for all purebred and mixed breed dogs at all levels of training. They aim to enable dog owners to enjoy the advantages of owning a well-trained dog by teaching owners how to train their dogs.

Qualified instructors explain and demonstrate each required exercise, using a step-by-step learning process to foster a positive attitude for both dog and trainer. The club welcomes those whose goal is to train their dog to be a happy, responsive pet or to become more involved in the sport of obedience. Classes range from puppy to highly advanced levels of training.

Accomplishments

The Tri Cities Dog Training Club of Saginaw Bay, Inc. was organized in 1972 as a non-profit organization, promoting the sport of obedience and enabling hundreds of dog owners to enjoy well-trained dogs.

Individual trainers have notable accomplishments: Linda, a past president and trial secretary for 17 years, earned over 40 High in Trials (HIT) and multi-titles in tracking, obedience, rally, and championships with her dogs. She was also an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator. Robin has assisted with various classes and conducted testing for AKC Canine Good Citizen certification and AKC Trick Dog titles, and is currently the primary trainer for AKC Rally Obedience. Caelan “Cleric” Damocles is pursuing a Career Diploma in Dog Obedience Instruction at Penn Foster College and trains service dogs.

How to Get Started!

To get started, dog owners can subscribe to the mailing list for notifications about upcoming courses. If a class is full, they can be added to a waitlist.

To become a club member, individuals should attend TCDTC classes and monthly meetings, obtain sponsorship from two active members, complete an application, and pay annual dues after approval. Class schedules and registration forms are available on the Class Information page.