Class dates and registration info will be listed on Current Classes & Registration. You can also view our Calendar of Events.

PUPPY

For puppies from 8 wks – 20 weeks old at the start of class: basic socialization,  instruction on how to teach your dog to sit, down, stand, wait, stay, walk on a loose leash, and come when called. House training, nutrition, basic grooming and preventing/ correcting unwanted behaviors are also discussed.

PUPPY II

This class trains handlers to teach their dogs 5 mos to 1 yr-old the basic skills taught in the puppy class, adding the skills needed for additional obedience work. Puppy class is not a prerequisite.

INTRO TO BASIC

Students will learn how to teach their dogs the basic commands including sit, down, stand, wait, stay, attention work, general manners and the beginning steps of leash work and heeling. Dogs will come with owner/handler to each class.

BASIC OBEDIENCE

For dogs at least 5 months old. Learn the fundamentals of owning a well-mannered pet. Heel on leash, sit, stand, recall, sit/down stay, as well as tips on general healthcare, good grooming and public manners. All work is done on leash.

ADVANCED BASIC OBEDIENCE

For dogs who have had a TCDTC basic class or permission of the instructor. Focus is on continuation of basic work with emphasis on improving response to commands and reliability Also a lot of proofing with distractions to improve performance.

NOVICE

(Pre-requisite – advanced basic, competition experience handler or permission of the instructor)

This class is a continuation and polishing of exercises taught in the lower level classes. Dogs should already know heel, sit, stand, down, stay, and come on leash. Novice obedience teaches control off leash and perfects what the dogs have already learned. This class puts in the foundation work so dogs and handlers will know enough that, with practice, they could enter an AKC obedience trial and earn a Companion Dog (CD) title. Class may be repeated.

OPEN

(Pre-requisite – Novice, competition experience handler or permission of the instructor).

This class is geared towards those wanting to teach their dog more advanced level exercises. This class puts in the foundation work, which includes retrieving, jumping, and drop on recall. Out of sight sit/down stays, off-lead heeling and figure 8 work. With practice, the dogs and handlers will know enough to enter an AKC obedience trial and earn a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. Class may be repeated.

UTILITY

(Pre-requisite – Novice/Open, competition experience handler or permission of the instructor)

This class is for trainers at the CDX level. This class put in the foundation work, which includes all phases of the Utility exercises. Scent discrimination, directed retrieving, and signal work. The moving stand, go-outs and directed jumping. Class may be repeated.

NOVICE

(Pre-requisite- Advanced basic, Novice obedience, or instructor’s permission)

The handler/dog team should know the basics of heeling (without a tight leash) fronts and finishes.

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED

(Pre-requisite- Advanced basic, Novice obedience, or instructor’s permission)

The handler/dog team should know how to heel off lead.

EXCELLENT & MASTER

(Pre-requisite- Advanced basic, Novice obedience, Intermediate & Advanced Rally, or instructor’s permission)

The handler/dog team should know how to heel off lead and all basic obedience commands with strong reliability.

WHAT IS IT?

The American Kennel Club started the Canine Good Citizen Program ® in 1989 as a means of rewarding dogs who were well-behaved companions at home and in the community. The goals of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program are to: 1) teach responsible dog ownership to owners, and 2) provide basic training and good manners to dogs.

WHY DO IT?

Earning the CGC award will ensure that your dog is a well-respected member of your community. The Canine Good Citizen award is the one of the first AKC certificates your dog can own and CGC provides an excellent foundation for all other training.

Some therapy dog groups require the CGC as a prerequisite for therapy work, there are CGC neighborhoods and hiking trails, and a number of state legislatures have endorsed the CGC concept.

Canine Good Citizen training is fun and useful. You’ll find that training for the CGC award will help you establish a closer bond with your dog.

Classes meet every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. (NOTE:  This is the ONLY TCDTC class that allows walk-in-registration/pay-on-site on the day of class!)

(Conformation class may be divided between two dogs owned by the same handler)

This class is to help fine-tune your handling skills and get your young dog ready or refresh your champion to show your dog to its best advantage for the breed ring.

What is offered: handling, patterns/gaiting, stacking, and the examination.

NOTE: Bitches in season are welcome, but MUST wear panties whenever they are in the building.

** NO EXCEPTIONS!**

Class Rules and Regulations

Members of TCDTC are welcome to work independently with other members or to join the weekly Advanced Basic Class to hone their skills and proofing for their dogs in a group setting. 

NOSE WORK – offered periodically

This class will help you start your dog in the new AKC title of Nose Work. Learn how to teach your dog how to smell out certain odors after your dog learns how to look for it.  

The class is limited to 6 dogs.  Dogs must be crated and quiet when not working.  Please bring plenty of high value treats for your dog.  The dog must have a buckle collar and/or a harness, no pinch or choke collars allowed.

AKC NOVICE TRICK DOG PREP CLASS – offered periodically

Did you know that AKC now has titles for your dog doing tricks?

Can your dog shake hands, do high five, fetch, jump a bar, spin circles, speak on command, do paws up, touch, kiss your cheek, etc?

No other special classes are open at this time. Let us now what you would like to see!  Call us at (989) 790-5898.

DISCLAIMER

Achieving your training goals depends upon the information you provided to your instructor. The temperament of your dog, the amount of time you spend training outside of class along with the number of classes you have attended, as well as other factors beyond the control of Tri Cities Dog Training Club of Saginaw Bay, Inc. will all impact your success. We are unable to guarantee your success at achieving the class or your personal goals.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Class cancellations due to weather or other events:

When Delta College is closed in the evenings due to snow emergencies, we will also be closed.

The decision to cancel classes is made by th instructors. If all classes for that day or evening are cancelled:

• WNEM TV5 will be notified and will have it both on the air and on their website.
• If possible, a notice will also appear on this website.

Instructors will make every attempt to contact you based on the information provided on your registration form in the event of any cancellations.