Thanks. Of course competition isn't needed for good manners. I was wondering if others had experience with training clubs: are they cost effective if you're not interested in the competition level classes, are there benefits beyond classes, is there anything in particular to look for when joining? Obviously, each club is different, but it would be good to hear others' experiences.
Of course, there are financial benefits such as discounts for classes - and that does add up to a significant savings if you take more than a few per year. Most training clubs are performance oriented, but they all give classes in different activities and at different levels.
On the other hand, you will have some obligations as a member as well. Most clubs require you to put in time at their events. Typically, an AKC or UKC obedience club sponsors an obedience and rally trial each year. Many sponsor other rally or obedience events as well. If they are an agility club as well as an obedience club - and most these days are - they will also sponsor agility trials. Many clubs also hold matches of different types. And so on for all the other activites they are involved in.
How much time you are expected to put in will depend on the club by-laws, so you should inquire. You may also be encouraged to join a "committee" that does some sort of club work more-or-less all year round. Many clubs also "require" attendance at a minimum number of meetings per year, but IME if you pay your dues and help out at the events and committees, they aren't overly strict about that.
However, attending club meetings is not necessarily a bad thing.
The main benefit, IMHO, to joining a club such as this is the 'community support'. And you get a lot of that at the meetings. Yes it is partly socialization but it is also learning from the experiences of others. Also, many clubs have programs at their meetings that can be of great interest to people in the various activities.
BTW, most clubs keep track of who attends their classes and if you have attended a few, you may be informed that you've met one of the pre-requisites to apply for membership if you so desire. No pressure to join - usually - just a friendly piece of information