[BearCubby]

I am really wanting to get Cubby into obedience, get his CGC, and then progress from there. I was looking at different clubs in my area from the AKC website and I have found that there are a number of them fairly close by. So I am wondering how some of y'all out there pick the club that you want to be a member of? What do you look for in a club, especially if they offer the same basics but differ slightly in what they offer as far as advanced obedience? Do y'all ever switch clubs (like start at one for basics and then switch for advanced classes)? I am new to this so I really have no idea what to look for...

Also, if anyone has any experience with any of the clubs in the Hampton Roads area of VA (or anything within about an hour from VA Beach/Chesapeake), I would really appreciate hearing your experiences.

Thank you!!

 

[TooneyDogs]

I visited the clubs near me and watched the basic classes...all clubs welcome visitors.
Watch and listen to the instructors. Note the methods used, how the students and their dogs respond. I chose a club that didn't rely heavily on the jerk and treat method....I was already very familar with that and just wanted something different.
Some advanced students are members of a couple of clubs and shift back and forth for certain classes or instructors. While I train at only one club, I visit 2 or 3 others to take advantage of their run throughs (pre-trial exercises).
Most obedience clubs will offer advanced obedience classes...the one I belong to has Obedience, Agility, Rally, Freestyle, Flyball, Conformation and Jr. Handler classes with a membership of about 250.