Our History
The Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club was established in 1953 and is the only area club licensed by AKC and dedicated to obedience training. The club is a not-for-profit organization run entirely by volunteers. We offer training for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages. A dog is never too old to learn! Class sessions are six weeks long, unless otherwise noted.
All instructors are volunteers who have trained, shown, and titled their own dog(s) to the equivalent or higher level of the class they are teaching. Our volunteer instructors follow carefully designed lesson plans.
Training classes
Obedience training is education for you – we teach you to teach your dog. Plan to spend some time every day working with your dog to get the full benefit of the class.
Expectations
You are the trainer and you must be capable of handling your dog. Young trainers must be at least 12 years old to enroll in a class , must be capable of controlling the dog, and must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Family members are welcome to attend; children must be supervised.
Nutrition and Sanitation
Do not feed your dog before coming to class. Please exercise your dog at home or in the appropriate areas before entering the building. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dog – both inside and outside the building. Also do not let your dog relieve itself on the walls, by the door of the training building, or on a neighboring building.
Acceptable “potty areas” are:
- The park east of the building
- The grassy area down the alley to the south
- Field on the north side of the UMB parking lot. Not on the front lawn of UMB.
Vaccinations
Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and parvo. The City of Raytown requires dogs over 6 months old to be vaccinated against rabies. Individual municipalities and your veterinarian may require additional vaccines. Please refer to the AKC Recommended Vaccination Schedule for additional information.
Ladies Only
Bitches in season are not permitted in the training building. If your bitch comes into heat, please leave her home and plan to attend class without her. You will be surprised at how much you can learn.
Equipment
All trainers are required to use equipment approved by the GKCDTC training committee. For Puppy and Beginner classes, you will need a leather or nylon leash. A buckle or snap collar is recommended for puppies and a properly fitted training collar is provided as part of the class fee for Beginner class. Appropriate training equipment is offered for sale at the GKCDTC building.
What to bring to class
In addition to the appropriate collar and leash, bring small, soft treats such as hotdog pieces or cheese.
Questions
If you have other questions, please call 816 228-7214 and leave a message or send an email to TRAINING@GKCDTC.org