MISSION STATEMENT
To provide dog obedience classes and other dog events within a safe and nurturing environment.
OUR HISTORY
In 1987, Graham Nicholson, the Council Ranger for the City of Northcote, decides to take a pro-active approach to promoting dog obedience training in the City. He recommends to Ron Edmands, the Manager, Office Services, that the City of Northcote sponsor an obedience dog club, as some other councils have done.
A year later, the City of Northcote gives principle approval to the dog club scheme and Graham Nicholson phones Ray Hanson who has been recommended to him by Joan Ray, a Fairfield resident active in dog training.
- On 16 March, a successful meeting is held between Ron Edmands and Graham Nicholson, who represent the City of Northcote, and Ray and his wife, Mavis, to discuss the formation of an obedience dog club
- The first meeting of a Club Steering Committee is held on 9 April. The Steering Committee consists of Ray and Mavis Hanson, their daughter Loretta and four of their friends who train dogs, Gary Crees, Isobel Mundy, Joan Ray and Marcelle Sikora (dec.)
- The first training session takes place 16 April at 2pm and the first member signed up is Kevin McClelland
BENEFITS OF AN OBEDIENCE TRAINED DOG
Closer bond with your dog
Having a dog that is well trained, obedient, happy, relaxed, responsive and easy for you to manage means you will get more pleasure from and build a strong bond with your new best friend.
Easy management
Learned basic commands will enable you to manage your dog more easily in different social situations.
Social, friendly dogs
Socialisation is very important. Dogs need to learn how to respond to other dogs and learn the rules of what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour.
Fun and knowledge
Obedience classes are quite fun for both handler and dog. The exercises are stimulating and engaging and clubs and training schools often have other great things to offer, such as fun days, agility courses, club meetings and seminars, social BBQs, annual dog exhibitions and competitions. Whether you have had dogs your whole life or not, there are always new skills or information you can learn concerning canine training, techniques and methods. The opportunity to talk to other dog handlers and consult your trainer is invaluable and can help resolve difficulties in training or problems with your dog or your own troubles with training. The best thing about it is they all understand what you are going through (e.g. for those with puppies that don’t seem to stop chewing the house down, or for those owners who cannot seem to get their dog to stop jumping) and consequently often have excellent tips and suggestions.
Safety
A well trained dog is safer to have around family and friends. However animals can be unpredictable and to minimise risk a dog that returns when called can prevent accidents.
Socialisation and community growth
Going to obedience classes weekly gets you out and about meeting like-minded people who love dogs. These people might live in your neighborhood, allowing you to socialise, develop friendships and to be involved in other local community events.
ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS
Adult Members
18 years of age and over, capable of understanding instructions and physically able to control their dog to apply training methods, i.e. brisk walking, turning bending, arm actions, etc.
Junior Members
8 to 17 years of age, capable of understanding instructions and physically able to control their dog to apply training methods, i.e. brisk walking, turning bending, arm actions, etc.
Eligibility of Dogs
Any breed or cross-breed dog that is not registered on the dangerous dogs register, over 3 months of age that has received its vaccinations as advised by their own Veterinarian (Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus. Vaccination Certificate to be shown when joining and renewing membership). No dog is too old to be trained providing it is not suffering any physical disability or illness. Every breed or cross-breed is trainable, although some breeds and individual dogs are more difficult and require more time, patience and understanding for a satisfactory result.
HOW THE CLUB WORKS
The club trains people!! We could not undertake to train members’ dogs for them one afternoon a week; it simply wouldn’t work. The reason being that the training of any animal is a daily endeavour. (Recommended training periods are 10-15 minutes morning and night if possible, but at least once a day.) The importance of daily training at home is stressed to every prospective member.
At NODC we offer positive rewards training, this is using high value rewards (eg: Treats, Play, Pats and Praise) to reinforce desirable behaviours. NODC does not offer “Puppy Only” classes all our classes are conducted in an age integrated setting that reflects day-to-day social settings where dogs of various ages interact.
Each week your class instructor will observe your progress, correct errors or omissions and only when you and your dog are ready will you be promoted to the next class and be presented with your ribbon for passing that class.
ANNUAL FEES
| MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY | TOTAL DUE | JOINING FEE | ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION | ANNUAL CLASS FEE | INSURANCE |
| ON JOINING | LEVY** | ||||
| SINGLE ADULT | $50.00 | $5.00 | $20.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 |
| ADULT – CONCESSION * | $40.00 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 |
| DUAL | $85.00 | $5.00 | $30.00 | $20.00 | $30.00 |
| DUAL – CONCESSION * | $75.00 | $5.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $30.00 |
| JUNIOR (8-16 years) | $40.00 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 |
PLEASE NOTE ‘TAP N GO’ PAYPAL IS NOW OUR PREFERRED FORM OF PAYMENT
* Concession is available to those holding the following cards:
Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Veterans Affairs Pension, Health Care Card, Unemployed, Full-Time Students & Junior Handlers (8-17 years)
The applicable card must be shown when lodging an Application for Membership or Renewal of Membership.
** Insurance Levy is $0 for DOGS Victoria Members upon Proof of Membership or if proof can be provided of Insurance Levy payment already made to another Dogs Victoria affiliate.
An annual class fee of $10 is included with all new and renewal subscriptions.