Who We Are And What We Do
The Ithaca Dog Training Club, Inc. was founded in 1951 by a group of dog obedience enthusiasts who were interested in helping each other train their dogs for competition, and also in making dog training services available to the general public. Our goal is to provide both members and non-members with help in training dogs as companions, as obedience competitors, and in other roles.
IDTC currently has about 200 members. We run basic obedience classes for the general public, as well as advanced obedience classes, rally classes, and agility classes for club members. Monthly meetings feature speakers on a variety of dog-related topics, demonstrations of activities ranging from herding to agility to temperament testing, and fun and games with your dog. We have picnics in the summer and a party at Christmas time.
In 2007 our members and their dogs earned over 100 titles in obedience, agility and performance events. All our Instructors are volunteers, but have earned at least a Companion Dog (CD) title from a Kennel Club or have earned a Club CD. Advanced instructors have titled dogs in at least the level they instruct, and have assisted classes before instructing. Guest instructors present special classes open to our members before being opened to the public.
The club also sponsors special events such as seminars on obedience and related topics, Canine Good Citizen tests, ATTS temperament tests, and obedience demonstrations for community events.
OBEDIENCE/RALLY AT IDTC
We offer classes starting with Kindergarten Puppy Classes and Beginners Classes all the way through Open and Utility competition classes. All of our instructors have earned a CD(companion dog) Title from a Kennel Club or have earned a Club CD.
The puppy and beginner classes are geared toward pet owners who want a well behaved dog at home. After graduation from one of these classes you might want to move on to our CGC class. This class will prepare you to take the CGC(Canine Good Citizen) test. Get Beginner/KPT App.
Once you've passed the CGC test you might decide you'd like to compete in obedience trials with your dog. You would then move on to Pre-Novice, then AKC Novice classes.
We offer Beginning Open, Open and Utility classes on a rotating basis, so check our class schedules.
We also offer Rally Classes for those who have completed the CGC level and passed.
AGILITY AT IDTC
Agility is a fun sport for dogs and their handling partners. The dog handler team learns how to complete equipment, such as: A frame, dog walk ( a bridge), teeter totter, tire jump, weaves, and various kinds of jumps. The team must learn how to complete the objects in a predetermined pattern, which in competition is created by the judge of the event. IDTC classes are geared toward enabling the team to compete at least at a Novice level after completing Beginner 1, 2 and Intermediate Agility Classes. As in Advanced Obedience many handlers find they need to take a course more than once to gain confidence and to obtain good handler canine focus.
Agility is offered to IDTC members only. Dogs must be one year old; have passed beginner and intermediate obedience classes as well as the AKC CGC Test; or pass a basic readiness test administered by the training director or member of the training committee. No aggressive dogs are allowed in our agility classes. We offer Beginner 1, Beginner 2, Intermediate and Advanced Classes. League is offered in the Winter Session. We also offer workshops on various topics, such as; weaves, crosses, gamblers, snooker. We offer an occasional public agility show and go, and non member instructor seminars.
Instructors have agility titles, and have taken considerable time and energy to create excellent instruction at all levels.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF IDTC?
You are eligible for membership and participation in advanced training after completion of the Intermediate Level class. This may be waived through a private evaluation if your dog is already at an advanced level. Call the Training Director for membership information.
IDTC members meet the fourth Tuesday of each month. Programs on subjects such as dog behavior, health care, and other canine related subjects are featured.
A monthly newsletter is sent to each member. IDTC is not all work, we eat also. There is a summer picnic, a
Members are expected to volunteer time and expertise in support of Club activities: stewarding at shows, participating in demonstrations, or working on various committees or serving in elected office.