Ithaca Dog Training Club Classes
IDTC offers beginning obedience classes to the general public, as well as upper-level agility, obedience, rally, and more for club members. Class sessions start about every two months and are seven weeks long. Most classes are one hour long and held at our training space at the Shops at Ithaca Mall.
Please note that IDTC is unable to accept aggressive or reactive dogs in our classes. If you are concerned that your dog is aggressive or reactive to people or other dogs, please ask your vet for a referral to a certified animal behaviorist.
Information about membership can be found here.
Please note that IDTC is unable to accept aggressive or reactive dogs in our classes. If you are concerned that your dog is aggressive or reactive to people or other dogs, please ask your vet for a referral to a certified animal behaviorist.
Information about membership can be found here.
Class prices
Beginner classes are $110 per session for non-members.
Registration
Registration will open about a month before the start of the next session, check the announcements section on the homepage to know when registration will be available. Registration will be submitted online via the form on the Next Session page.
Submitting the registration form does not guarantee a spot in class! Classes will fill in the order applications are submitted, but members will receive priority when registering for classes if they register within the first hour that registration is opened. If you do not get a spot in a class, you will be put on a waitlist for this session in case a spot opens up. However, this waitlist will no longer be carried from session to session (you will need to submit the form again for the next session).
Classes are added to the calendar on the homepage as instructors and times are confirmed. Please check the calendar and links below for more information on what is being offered during the next session.
Submitting the registration form does not guarantee a spot in class! Classes will fill in the order applications are submitted, but members will receive priority when registering for classes if they register within the first hour that registration is opened. If you do not get a spot in a class, you will be put on a waitlist for this session in case a spot opens up. However, this waitlist will no longer be carried from session to session (you will need to submit the form again for the next session).
Classes are added to the calendar on the homepage as instructors and times are confirmed. Please check the calendar and links below for more information on what is being offered during the next session.
Requirements and types of classes
Please see the information below about the different types of classes IDTC offers and the prerequisites and requirements to take different classes.
Beginner Classes
Beginner classes are open to the general public and are a great place to start learning! IDTC offers beginner classes for both puppies and adult dogs and intermediate classes for adult dogs. Classes cover proper use of leashes and equipment, rewards and timing of rewards, and skills such as attention, sit, down, recall, stay, wait at a door, and politely greeting someone.
The general progression through the entry-level classes is STAR Puppy (if age appropriate), Beginner 1, Beyond Beginner 1 (optional), Beginner 2, CGC. See the Next Session for offerings.
After taking two beginner classes, students are invited to become IDTC members. These classes and skills are a prerequisite for taking the upper level and sport (agility, rally, etc) classes.
The general progression through the entry-level classes is STAR Puppy (if age appropriate), Beginner 1, Beyond Beginner 1 (optional), Beginner 2, CGC. See the Next Session for offerings.
After taking two beginner classes, students are invited to become IDTC members. These classes and skills are a prerequisite for taking the upper level and sport (agility, rally, etc) classes.
Obedience and Rally Classes
Advanced Obedience and Rally classes are open to club members. Class offerings may include competition prep, proofing, or other topics. Classes may be entirely on-leash or include off-leash exercises. Prerequisites vary as some classes are aimed at those new to the sport and others are aimed at seasoned advanced competitors.
Some recent offerings have included: Virtual Rally Course Runs, Advanced Obedience, Intro to Beginner Novice, Intro to Rally, and Obedience Games.
Some recent offerings have included: Virtual Rally Course Runs, Advanced Obedience, Intro to Beginner Novice, Intro to Rally, and Obedience Games.
Agility Classes
Agility classes are open to club members only. Dogs must be quietly crated when it is not their turn in the ring, be able to enter and exit the ring under control, and have a solid stay and off-leash recall in an exciting environment. Beginning agility classes focus on building confidence in a safe manner as dogs learn to navigate the agility equipment. Advanced classes focus on handling and proofing skills.
Once dogs and handlers have learned how to safely navigate the obstacles, members are able to join IDTC Agility League. This is held every winter at Paws for Thought in Groton. Competitors run a standard course and a games course every week to earn points for their team, with prizes going to the highest and lowest scores at the end of League. League is a great opportunity to get trial-like experience for your dog!
Recent class offerings have included: Weaves, Agility Foundations, Agility 1, Agility 2, Agility Skills and Drills, and Open Agility Practice.
Once dogs and handlers have learned how to safely navigate the obstacles, members are able to join IDTC Agility League. This is held every winter at Paws for Thought in Groton. Competitors run a standard course and a games course every week to earn points for their team, with prizes going to the highest and lowest scores at the end of League. League is a great opportunity to get trial-like experience for your dog!
Recent class offerings have included: Weaves, Agility Foundations, Agility 1, Agility 2, Agility Skills and Drills, and Open Agility Practice.
Other Classes
While IDTC regularly offers Beginner, Obedience or Rally, and Agility classes, there other other (really fun!) classes that are offered occasionally and don't fit into any of the above categories. These classes are generally offered to members only, but exceptions may be made on a case-by-base basis.
- FitDog
- Happy Ratters
- Nosework (aka Scentwork)
- CGC-A
- Obedience/Attention Games
- Introduction to Dog Sports
Still not sure what class to take?
The Training Committee organizes dog evaluations 6-8 times per year on weekends and evenings for people who aren't sure what class they should join or want an evaluation to join the club. Most people will not need evaluations as they should follow the class progression explained on the class pages.
Please note:
Fill out the evaluation below and a member of the Training Committee will contact you about next steps and the date of the next evaluation.
Please note:
- The Training Committee generally recommends that all dogs less than 6 months of age at the start of class sign up for puppy class, regardless of skill level.
- If your dog is older than 6 months you should sign-up for Beginner 1.
- All beginner classes fill quickly! Being placed into Beyond Beginner or Beginner 2 will not make it easier to get into class.
- Advanced classes, such as agility, are only open to IDTC members who meet the class prerequisites. Learn more about membership here.
Fill out the evaluation below and a member of the Training Committee will contact you about next steps and the date of the next evaluation.