Frequently Asked Questions

General Class Questions

When and where are classes held?
We run three to five sessions of classes a year, beginning in January, March, June/July, August/September, and November/December.  Beginner classes are generally held at the IDTC Training Space in the Shops at Ithaca Mall. Classes are an hour long, regular sessions are usually 7 weeks long, while special classes may be shorter.
Are there any restrictions on who may take classes?
You must be at least 12 years old (the 4-H runs a good dog training program for younger handlers). You must be a member of IDTC to take advanced classes. All dogs over four months of age must have current rabies vaccinations.

Ithaca Dog Training Club is unable to accept aggressive or reactive dogs in classes. If you are concerned that your dog may be aggressive or reactive to people or other dogs, please ask your vet for a referral to a certified animal behaviorist.

Beginner Classes

How old should my dog be?
AKC STAR Puppy Beginners classes are for dogs under six months old. Puppies under three months are discouraged from attending classes because they may not yet have full immunity from their shots. All other classes do not have an age requirement.
What if my dog has already had some training?
Beginner classes are for dogs that have had little or no training. If you feel that your dog would be better suited to advanced classes, please follow the steps below.

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:
  • 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.
What do beginner classes cover?  
See the Beginner Classes section for more information on what each class covers.
Who should sign up for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Class?
The CGC class is for those who have just completed Beginners II. IDTC members who have dogs working at the appropriate level may also take this course. For more information on the CGC, go to our classes page or the AKC CGC page.
What other classes are offered?
To see our current class offerings, check out our classes page.  A registrar is assigned to each class level --
 that person can answer any further questions you might have about the classes.

Registration and Membership

How do I sign up for classes?
Online registration will open about a month before the start of the next session. Please check the announcements section on the homepage to know when registration will be available. Registration will be submitted online via the form linked under Next Session and Classes.

Please note: 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, followed by current or recent (have taken an IDTC class in the last six months) students, followed by new applicants. 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).

How can I become an IDTC member?
Please see our Join page for more information.