TAKE A CLASS WITH YOUR DOG
We provide the general public with education and training for all kinds of dogs. We instruct people with dogs of all breeds, mixes, sizes, ages, and abilities, to train their dogs to be good companions. We supply the classes, but the actual training and practice is your responsibility. We believe in FIRM, FAIR, CONSISTENT training with heavy doses of PRAISE & REWARDS. Our methods are based on positive motivation and reinforcement.
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WHO TEACHES CLASSES?
The GFDTC is made up of club members who donate their time, experience, and passion for dog sports. All our instructors have trained and shown their own dogs in the areas they teach, either in breed competitions, scent work, obedience, rally, herding, agility trials, or other sports.
WAITLIST INFORMATION
Some classes may have a waiting list due to the high demand or upcoming sessions already being filled at the time of your request. Once you submit your class request, our registration coordinator will email you to update you on your placement status. Once a future class is confirmed, an email will go out to those at the top of the list noting the date, time, and cost of the class. We will continue to work down the list until all openings are filled.
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ALL DOGS WELCOME
All dog breeds can participate in classes at the GFDTC! After you submit your class request, a registration coordinator will help guide you to the class most appropriate for your dog and your experience.
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CLASS COSTS
Our costs vary based on the length of classes and type of class.
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6 week class, $80
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5 week class, $70
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4 week class, $55
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Agility
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Agility classes $85 per six-week class ($80 class plus $5 equipment fee)
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Agility League $70 per season ($60 club payment plus $10 equipment fee).
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Drop-in $65 for a punch card (good for six drop-ins and includes a $5 equipment fee)​
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Above fees do include AKC agility league fees.
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Other session drop-in​
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Drop-in rally $60
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Drop-in FastCat $60
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FastCAT Fun Runs, $10
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​AKC STAR Puppy Certification, an additional $5 for those interested and enrolled in Puppy Kindergarten
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Canine Good Citizen (CGC) or Trick Dog Evaluation, $10
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Private lessons are not available at this time. $90/series of four 30-minute sessions.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
The Grand Forks Dog Training Club is proud to offer the GFDTC Young Dog Handlers Scholarship for young dog enthusiasts! Recipients of the scholarship will receive a voucher to enroll in a class at the GFDTC. The scholarship is part of the GFDTC’s commitment to fostering responsible dog ownership in the Greater Grand Forks Community. Information & Application
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POLICIES
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Once payment has been received, there will be no refunds or credits. You are enrolled, and a seat in this class is reserved for you and your dog. If you have questions about this policy, contact the registration coordinator.
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Females in season are not allowed in the GFDTC training facility unless the instructor decides to allow a dog to attend, provided certain rules are followed. Contact your instructor or the registration coordinator if you are in the middle of a class session.
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The minimum age for children to take a class with a dog is ten years old. They must be able to handle and control the dog, and a parent or guardian must be on the floor with the child at all times. Minors ages 16 – 18 may handle their dog solo, with a parent or guardian signing a waiver upon registration.
ENTRY-LEVEL FOUNDATION CLASSES
Never taken a class before? Or has it been some time? This is where you start!
Puppy Kindergarten Age 0-6 months
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45-minute class, repeated for six weeks
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Socialization, puppy obedience, and confidence building on surfaces
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Has the option to add on AKC STAR Puppy Certification (additional cost)
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Puppy Plus Age 6-12 months
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45-minute class, repeated for four or six weeks (class length varies by instructor)
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Puppy obedience, confidence building on surfaces, and dog and handler bonding skills
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Basic Manners Age 1 year or older
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45-minute class, repeated for 4 or 6 weeks
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A class for adult dogs. Foundation skills teach how to be in a class full of dogs, basic foundation skills (sit, lay down, come, leash skills, and stay)
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Scentwork Classes Age 6 months+
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45-minute class, repeated for four or six weeks (class length varies by instructor)
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A class for those interested in the sport of scentwork. Odors trained will only be those approved as AKC scentwork odors.
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FAST-CAT Fun Runs Age 12 months+
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Minimum requirements: The dog must be at least 12 months old, under handler control outside a fenced run area, and respectful of fence barriers. It must not be aggressive to strangers, as the lure operator and volunteers may be inside the fenced running area.
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Advanced sign-up is recommended to reserve a slot
ADVANCED SKILLS
Already taken an introductory group class with us or somewhere else?
Our registration coordinator will review your request and, based on experience, will place you in the appropriate class or ask for clarification on your previous class if it was not with us here at the GFDTC. Some upper-level classes may require an evaluation if you did not take a class with the GFDTC.
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Puppy Advanced
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Must have completed Puppy Kindergarten at the GFDTC (attended 5 or more classes)
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45-minute class, repeated for six weeks
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Class advances dog and handler skills introduced during puppy kindergarten and provides solutions for common problems.
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Intermediate Manners
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Must have completed Puppy Plus, Basic Manners, Puppy Advanced, or equivalent classes elsewhere.
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45-minute class, repeated for six weeks
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Continued development of fundamental skills and good dog management in a group class environment. Consistency in command words, building behaviors, and increasing distance, duration, and distractions with fundamental skills.
Beginner Obedience
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Must have completed Puppy Advanced or Intermediate Manners or equivalent classes elsewhere.
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45-minute class, repeated for six weeks
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Focuses on proofing/further developing the skills established in previous classes, pushing distractions for stays, more formal loose leash walking with distractions, bombproof drop and leave it, and mat training.
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Obedience & Rally Skills Classes
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Minimum requirements: Must have completed Puppy Advanced or Beginner Obedience or have instructor approval.
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Skills taught will include refining heeling, position changes, turns and pivots, stays, formal recall, fronts and finishes, and rally signs.
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There are two paths after Obedience & Rally Skills: Obedience 1-3 or Rally and Rally Advanced. Each path has a series of classes that progress as each dog and handler team passes each skill level.
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All advancement between classes is contingent on instructor approval.
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Agility Classes
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Minimum requirements: The dog must be 8+ months of age and fully completed Beginner Obedience or have agility instructor approval.
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This 45-minute class is repeated for six weeks. Advanced levels may include an additional 15 minutes on either side of the class for equipment setup or take-down.
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Agility classes have an additional $5 equipment cost per session
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Agility is an off-leash team sport, with the relationship between dog and handler being key to successful navigation of a set of obstacles. We have set our training standards high in accordance with the American Kennel Club (AKC) standards for competition. After beginner agility, portions of classes may have one dog off-leash as you advance in classes. There will be other teams working at the same time on the mats or in the building.
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After successfully completing Beginner Agility, students advance through a series of six class levels. Advancement between each level is subject to instructor approval and contingent on demonstrating an understanding of concepts and equipment abilities.
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Teams demonstrating equipment readiness and with instructor approval may participate in drop-in agility mat times.
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All advancement between classes is contingent on instructor approval. To advance to the next level, dogs and handlers must be able to demonstrate mastery of skills.
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OTHER EDUCATION & TESTING OPPORTUNITIES
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Canine Good Citizen & Trick Dog Evaluations
The GFDTC is pleased to have Canine Good Citizen evaluators as club members and offers periodic Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog evaluations.
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What is Canine Good Citizen (CGC)?
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What is Trick Dog Testing?
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Therapy Dog
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Therapy dogs are personal pets that meet certain requirements and pass testing and evaluations. in order to go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. Therapy dogs are not considered service dogs and do not have legal access rights that service dogs have in public.
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Learn more about Therapy Dog Training
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Visit our Events Section to learn more about:
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Agility Course Test (ACT)
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AKC Scentwork Trials
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AKC FastCAT Tests
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Other events
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ABOUT
OUR CLUB
Since its inception in 1956, and rekindled in 2005, the Grand Forks Dog Training Club has provided the general public with education and training for dogs. The Club offers educational programs to help breeders and pet owners alike in dog related subjects of interest to everyone.
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The GFDTC is made up of members who donate their time, experience, and passion for dog sports. We provide the general public with education and training for all kinds of dogs. We instruct people with dogs of all breeds, mixes, sizes, ages, and abilities to train their dogs to be good companions. All our instructors have trained and shown their own dogs in the areas they teach, either in breed competitions, scent work, obedience, rally, herding, or agility trials. We offer basic training classes, and for more advanced classes, we have set our training standards high in accordance with the American Kennel Club (AKC) for conformation, obedience, rally, scent work, and agility. We strive to provide the highest quality of training while continually updating our training methods. We offer education for YOU – teaching you how to teach your dog. Dogs do not have to be purebred to participate in classes.
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Members of the GFDTC, as available, are always delighted to bring their dogs out to public events, schools, senior centers, clubs and nursing homes to provide entertainment and education, so as to further the advancement of all breeds of dogs.
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To do all in its power to protect and advance the interest of
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To encourage: Responsible dog ownership
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To host: dog shows, obedience trials and competition and to encourage sportsman-like competition at such events
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To conduct: AKC obedience & rally obedience trials, AKC ACT agility competitions, and AKC Scent Work competitions
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To conduct other events for which the club is eligible under the Rules and Regulations of the AKC.
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To promote the training of all dogs.
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To educate the owners of all dogs to become responsible owners.
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To support legislation that will protect all dogs
MEMBERSHIP INFO
We have many members in the Grand Forks area who compete, are interested in dogs, or are dedicated to the sport of dogs.
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Membership is by application. The application must be sponsored by two club members in good standing that have known you for a minimum of six months.
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Applicants are elected and payment of annual dues of $15 for single, and $20 for family membership. Associate membership is also an option. You must attend a meeting to obtain an application. The next meeting dates are determined monthly at the conclusion of each meeting and posted on our calendar at www.gfdtc.org/calendar
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Member expectations: Members must either attend a minimum of four meetings per year and volunteer at least five hours per year. Alternatively members can attend no meetings, but would be required to volunteer at least 10 hours. There are numerous opportunities to volunteer either at events or facility cleaning and projects.
Calendar & Events
The Grand Forks Dog Training Club holds a variety of competitive and community events that are affiliated with AKC throughout the year.
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AKC FastCAT (Coursing Ability Test)
October 4-6, 2024
Two events per day!
Opportunity to run under Friday Night Lights!
Scheels Sports Complex - 4301 South 20th Street, Grand Forks, ND.
Email: GFDTCLUB@GMAIL.COM
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​​Class Location Address
(DO NOT SEND MAIL TO THIS ADDRESS)
6801 Demers Ave, Grand Forks, ND
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Mailing address
GFDTC, 1905 S Washington Street
Grand Forks, ND 58201​
OUR INFORMATION
