Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Carolyn Brown

    Carolyn Brown

    I have been training standard poodles since 1983. Currently I share my home with one standard poodle.  I have been a member of Dog Training Club since 2015.

  • Laurie Lobdell

    Laurie Lobdell

    I started obedience training with my first dog Ziggy a Miniature Schnauzer many years ago, he earned his CD. I then trained my second Miniature Schnauzer Hannah and she earned […]

  • Joyce Latham

    Joyce Latham

    Joyce M. Latham began dog training in AKC obedience back in the 1980s with a wonderful “goose pit” yellow Labrador from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Brandy.  Joyce promised Brandy […]

  • Barb Scanlan

    Barb Scanlan

    I always loved dogs. I always wanted to train a dog and got that opportunity when I signed up for a Home Companion class at DTCCU over 20 years ago […]

  • CGC / A (Community)

    CGC / A (Community)

    Take your CGC skills to the next level. Class is taught outdoors at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana. CGC / A test will be held during last class.

  • Introductory Tracking

    Introductory Tracking

    In AKC tracking dogs are trained to follow the scent of a someone other their handler and to recover articles the tracklayer has placed on the track. The lenght of the track, the type of cover, how old the track is, the types of distractions and the number of articles to be recovered, vary depending…

  • Scentwork

    Scentwork

    Scent Work is the latest craze, because it’s FUN!  It’s also a great confidence builder as it requires the dog to lead the way.  The goal of this course is […]

  • Open-Utility Basics

    Open-Utility Basics

    Open Basics in an intro class to the Open Exercises in Obedience. Advanced Obedience is taught in pieces and can be taught to the young dog .  The Open Exercises […]

  • Rally Excellent / Master

    Rally Excellent / Master

    Excellent is performed off leash with 15 to 20 signs. There are some more challenging exercises. Handlers are not allowed to clap or pat their legs. Two jumps are required.

  • Rally Novice

    Rally Novice

    All exercises are performed on leash. There are 10 to 15 signs. You can talk, clap your hands and / or pat your legs to encourage your dog.

  • Utility Obedience

    Utility Obedience

    Utility exercises include the signal exercise, scent articles, directed retrieve, moving stand and exam, and directed jumping.  Teaching methods will depend on the individual instructor, but experienced students are encouraged […]

  • Open Obedience

    Open Obedience

    This class introduces teaching and training methods for the Open Obedience exercises: heeling (off lead); drop on recall; dumb-bell retrieve; high jump; broad jump; signal exercises; stand stay – get […]

  • Novice Obedience

    Novice Obedience

    The Novice class will prepare dogs and handlers to compete in AKC Novice level obedience. All Novice exercises will be refined and handling skills will be emphasized. This class will […]

  • Advanced Agility 2

    Advanced Agility 2

    Content of this class will continue development of complex skills learned in Advanced 1. Agility classes may be repeated once, if necessary.  If your dog has not learned the required […]

  • Intermediate Agility 2

    Intermediate Agility 2

    This class will add complexity to the skills learned in Intermediate 1.  Handling skills will focus on front cross, rear cross, post turns, sends, and multiple jumps.  All contacts will […]

  • Intermediate Agility 1

    Intermediate Agility 1

    In order to be successful in this class your dog must be able to work off lead, have a reliable stay, a release word, and recall to heel (both sides) […]

  • Advanced Agility 1

    Advanced Agility 1

    Prerequisite: Intermediate Agility 2 and instructor permission Agility students will be expected to comply with rules set by AKC, see the AKC handbook for reference.  Section 9. Collars. At the handler’s […]

  • Beginner Agility 2

    Beginner Agility 2

    Beginner Agility 2 Beginner 2 continues where Beginner 1 left off, expanding handler skills and elevating teams to short sequences. This class will help build a safe, positive foundation to […]

  • Beginner Agility 1

    Beginner Agility 1

    Beginner Agility 1 Beginner Agility builds on core Agility Foundation skills. This class will help build a safe, positive foundation to play agility together with your dog. Learning objectives include […]

  • Home Companion

    Home Companion

    An 8-week course for dogs beginning their training that emphasizes the foundation training essential for well-behaved pets. NOTE: Dogs must be at least 6 months old. Owners learn to teach […]

  • Puppy Elementary

    Puppy Elementary

    Puppy Elementary is designed for dogs 4 to 7 months of age who have either completed Puppy Kindergarten or are a little too old to play with those youngsters. Goals […]

  • Puppy Kindergarten

    Puppy Kindergarten

    This course for puppies from 10 to 16 weeks old helps socialize young pups to humans and other dogs, as well as to different environments. Puppies learn basic commands using […]

  • Kathie Lawrence

    Kathie Lawrence

    I have had Scottish terriers for over 50 years, a few other breeds have slipped in along the way. Training and management are key to keeping a harmonious household with […]

  • Robin Haggard

    Robin Haggard

    I have been training dogs for over 50 years and been breeding Alaskan Malamutes since 1963. I have taught Puppy Kindergarten at DTCCU for over 30 years. Courses Taught Puppy […]

  • Christel Powell

    Christel Powell

    I started with my Gordon Setter Toby in Puppy Elementary 17 years ago and have been here ever since. He was my first performance dog and we enjoyed the process […]

  • Linda Blan

    I started training my own dogs in 1993 starting with a Great Pyrenees. I have owned several different types of dogs in addition to the Pyrenees including all americans, Labrador, […]

  • Mary Davis

    Mary Davis

    I started dog training as a 4-H youth 40+ years ago and have had a lead in my hand and a dog by my side ever since. My performance event […]

  • Deb DiPietro

    Deb DiPietro

    I’ve been training my dogs since about 2008, titling to a UD in obedience with my Novice A dog, and a RAE in rally before master and RACH were added.  […]

  • Duane Walton

    Duane Walton

    Duane has trained dogs for over 45 years. He is one of the founding members of the Dog Training Club of Champaign-Urbana; has instructed many club obedience classes, from Home […]

  • Alicia Schafroth

    Alicia Schafroth

    I was introduced to dog obedience training when I was about 5 years old, when I would accompany my father to classes for our Labrador. A few years later we […]

  • Jenna Zeidler

    Jenna Zeidler

    I started in dog sports as a 4-Her when I was 11 years old, competing in obedience and showmanship with a Rat Terrier and a Doberman. Since that time, I […]

  • Marian Stone

    Marian Stone

    I started obedience class with our family German Shepherd, Inca, as a 4-H project over 50 years ago. I showed multiple German Shepherds in obedience, conformation and tracking and then […]

  • Denise Langendorf

    Denise Langendorf

    I came to DTCCU 5 years ago with a young Vizsla. I had no idea what dog competition was. I had shown in 4H over 40 years ago but nothing […]

  • Beginner Novice

    Beginner Novice

    Expanding on skills taught in Home Companion. Required prior to Novice Obedience or Agility Prep.

  • Performance Basics

    Performance Basics

    Basic obedience skills with introduction to Obedience, Rally and Agility

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