| The first dog training club recognized in the United | | | | In recent years, the fastest growth of dog training |
| States may have been the New England Dog Training | | | | clubs has been in the area of competitive dog sports. |
| Club which held its first obedience trials in 1937. A | | | | Agility and flyball training are popular with owners of |
| non-profit organization dedicated to obedience training | | | | energetic dogs. These dog sports have serious |
| of all dog breeds, the NEDTC still offers weekly | | | | participants who spend hundreds and even thousands |
| classes for obedience and competition training. | | | | of dollars on training equipment and event entrance |
| Clubs have since been established in all parts of the | | | | fees. Even breeders participate by combining breeds |
| country and range from groups offering basic | | | | to achieve the perfect dog for flyball (fast and |
| obedience training to clubs that offer specialized | | | | focused) and for agility (fast, fearless and agile). |
| training for service dogs. Many clubs are associated | | | | The current favorite dog for flyball is the |
| with the American Kennel Club while others are | | | | staffy-border, a mix of Staffordshire Terrier and |
| community organizations or paid memberships that | | | | Border Collie. This mixed breed is the world record |
| promote advanced training techniques. | | | | holder in flyball and the speed of these dogs is |
| Clubs for hunting dogs have been popular with | | | | amazing. The joy of flyball is not perhaps at the top |
| hunters interested in well trained hunting dogs but | | | | of the heap of award winners but the fast-paced fun |
| also in competitions between retrievers, pointers, | | | | dogs and their owners have with this game. From |
| trackers and other breeds in the hunting group. | | | | mutts and Jack Russells to Australian Shepherds and |
| These field trials often attract a large audience. | | | | Bull Terriers, these dogs literally have a ball playing |
| At the other end of the training spectrum are clubs | | | | flyball. |
| providing companion dog training. The classes offered | | | | Agility dog training clubs are worth the membership |
| focus on obedience training to provide a dog that fits | | | | cost for those who want to test their dog's ability |
| well into a family setting or will be a trusted | | | | before investing in expensive agility equipment. During |
| companion animal. | | | | training, the owner can compare his dog's ability with |
| There is no average dog training club. Some accept | | | | other dogs in the club and et advice on building his |
| dogs of any breed while others are targeted to | | | | own equipment for training and practicing at home. |
| specific breed training or to dog related competitions. | | | | Agility training is one of the more expensive dog |
| Unlike dog training classes, the clubs offer events | | | | hobbies requiring tunnels, several types of jumps, |
| allowing dogs and their owners to compete for prizes | | | | weave poles and ramps to provide a full training |
| and recognition. Many not-for-profit clubs also | | | | course. |
| participate in local community events such as visiting | | | | For dog lovers, dog training clubs are the ideal way |
| nursing homes or schools with companion dogs. Dog | | | | to spend quality time with their own pet combined |
| training clubs often cooperate with local veterinarians | | | | with the social aspect of meeting with others who |
| to promote spay/neuter programs, ID chips and | | | | also love dogs. |
| vaccinations. | | | | |