Utah club turns puppies into polished dogs - Salt Lake Tribune

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brenda Bates works with her dog Dodge, during a dog training class, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. The Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club offers everything from puppy to advanced training for dogs at the National Guard Armory on Airport Road, in West Jordan. Utah club turns puppies into polished dogs By Tom Wharton

The Salt Lake Tribune

First published May 09 2011 01:01AM
Updated May 9, 2011 12:12PM West Jordan • The puppy that was so cute and cuddly when you brought her home a few months ago has suddenly turned into a biting, shoe-destroying, carpet-wetting, uncontrollable monster. And you are clueless as to what to do.

The Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club can help.

The nonprofit club and its volunteer staff have been helping humans train unruly dogs since 1964. The group offers classes for all abilities every Wednesday night at the West Jordan National Guard Armory. There are classes for puppies as young as 10 weeks old and some for older dogs that need to fine-tune their obedience skills.

In addition to the 150 members of the Training Club, each week about 20 volunteers show up to help train the dogs, said Wendy McCleery, training director. The $75 fee that owners pay to attend the classes goes to print instructions, rent the building and to put on competitive trials.

McCleery said the trails are open to all dogs, including mixed breeds that aren’t registered by the American Kennel Association. “Everybody can compete,” McCleery said. “They all earn the same obedience titles. There are tons of stuff for people if they really want to get into it.”

When classes are in session, the Armory resembles an organized dog circus. Puppies are in a fenced area in the corner where they learn to socialize with other dogs and are taught basic commands. Instructors offer tips on house training, biting and preventing dogs form jumping on people. Tip sheets with homework are given after each 45-minute session.

On the main floor, more advanced classes take place. Handlers put their dogs through various tests, some designed for competition, and others to simply teach the animals to obey basic commands and behave.

Some handlers and their pets sit on the side watching, which is more important than it looks. The exercise teaches the animals to be calm and disciplined in the face of multiple distractions.

The ultimate goal is to meld handler and pet into a team and to create a happy, healthy dog that respects the rights of other people and their pets.

“The thing I like best about the club is the way it caters to the general public and the way they train different skills,” said Deborah Nendell, who makes the drive from Grantsville to West Jordan each week. “There are no harsh corrections or militant training. Dogs progress at their own pace.”

Carole Ann Chamberlain, of West Jordan, took her soft-coated Wheaton Terrier to a recent class with the aim of training it to be a therapy dog for an assistant living center. She liked the club’s reasonable price and feels as though the classes have been successful.

Marilyn Williams, of Salt Lake City, is taking her fifth dog through the club’s training regime.

“I like the fact that it is community based,” she said. “Everybody gives and everybody learns. The socialization is incredible. Your dog gets exposure to different dogs, different people and different places. It makes them not be afraid.”

wharton@sltrib.com

Copyright 2011 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. blog comments powered by Disqus Pets » Classes offered for pooches of all abilities.

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A doggone good time

The Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club offers classes every Wednesday at the West Jordan National Guard Armory, 7602 Airport Rd. Cost is $75 for an eight-week class. Here’s what you need to know:

Puppies » Must be at least 10 weeks old and have current shots. Dogs will learn to socialize, sit, lie, stay, not bite, heel and come when called.

Beginning obedience » For dogs 5 months and older. Covers the basics such as sit, stay, heeling and turns.

Intermediate obedience » Expands on what was learned in the beginning class and is more demanding. A Canine Good Citizen test is offered at the end of the eight-week class.

Advanced obedience » Prepares owners and pets for formal obedience trials with components such as watch, open and utility work including out-of-sight stays.

Ring Prep » This class teaches the finer points of presenting your dog to a judge and is for both AKC registered dogs purebred and mixed breed dogs.

More details » www.gsldtc.com; 801-942-1768 for a recorded message; or contact Wendy McCleery, 801-571-1768 or happytails8@comcast.net.

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