Statement of Purpose

The Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club seeks to promote a strong bond between owners and their dogs based on mutual respect and love. It is the Club’s belief that animals are happier and healthier if they know what is expected of them; i.e., if they have clear guidelines for behavior.

The Club also believes that fewer animals would be abandoned or otherwise destroyed or killed if they were taught basic rules of obedience. Clearly, owners prefer animals that love and obey them.

The primary goal of dog training in the Club is to promote a bond between animal and owner that is strengthened through basic obedience training. (Obedient dogs are generally happy dogs with owners who love them.)

A second goal of dog training of the Club is to provide an avenue for those interested in achieving obedience titles. The Club will provide classes for those interested in earning a Companion Dog title, an Open title, a Utility title etc., and an Agility title. The Club provides specialty classes and workspace for members to work their dogs in a comfortable environment.

The Club believes that providing an opportunity for socialization for both dogs and owners is a primary purpose of the Club. Canine Good Citizen certificates can be earned by both competitive and noncompetitive dogs and by those successfully completing the Beginning Class.

The Club also provides the public(nonmembers)with classes in puppy manners, basic obedience, and agility, as a service to the community and as a way to provide needed revenue for the Club. Moneys from these classes help provide both equipment and training building(facility). All classes are taught by members of the Club who donate their time and efforts.

General Information

Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club was formed in 1983 as a nonprofit organization with basic objectives of encouraging and promoting the training of dogs. Our Club is a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC). Our membership ranges from young citizens to senior citizens, and includes people from all walks of life. Our dogs vary from puppies to oldsters, from very small to very large and from well-known breeds to rare breeds, as well as the ever popular mixed breeds.

General Meetings

The General Meetings are normally held on the 2^nd Monday of each month. They are held at the Ogden City Animal Shelter, 1490 Park Blvd. in Ogden next to the Dinosaur Park, at 7 PM. As an applicant you must attend 2 of the next 3 meetings to be voted in. The meetings typically begin with Club business being discussed. This is a way to become involved and understand what the Club is doing. After the Club business is taken care of we take a break and have refreshments; then we are presented with a program.

Our programs are informative and interesting. We have guest speakers come and talk to us about different things concerning our dogs or other interesting topics. We have had local veterinarians speak to us about various things, dog nutritionists, animal rescue groups, etc.

Your monthly newsletter will inform you when the General Meeting will not be at the regular place or time. This usually occurs in January for the Awards banquet, July for the Summer Party and August for the Olympics.

Newsletter

The newsletter editor publishes the People & Paws Newsletter each month to keep you up to date on all Club activities. Training schedules and alternate locations for activities will be found in the newsletter.

The editor usually includes helpful information form articles and other sources. If you have any information for the newsletter you may contact the editor. Please let the person in charge of Membership Records know if you are not receiving your newsletter. On the front page of each newsletter you will notice a list of all the people who are Officers and Committee Chairmen in the Club. Feel free to call any of them if you have questions about anything.

Training

As written in the Mission Statement, Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club will offer you the opportunity to bond with and enjoy a better relationship with your dog. You will find the support and training classes offered within the Club to go as far as you want toward training your dog. GSDOC offers everything you need to compete and earn Obedience titles with your dog. A relatively high number of members have earned titles through formal competition.

Our structured classes are normally held every Tuesday at 7 PM. Individual training for those who wish to train on their own outside a structured class begins at 8 PM. Everyone is expected to help clean up and sweep at the end of the evening. Please take your turn.

We train at the Golden Spike Events Center outside in the courtyard, or in the Exhibit Hall in inclement weather and during the winter. The newsletter will provide a schedule of classes. Of course this is an area where the Club needs a great amount of support. Instructors and assistants are always needed.

A complete supply of basic training equipment is owned and maintained by the Club. This supply includes various sizes of choke chain and prong training collars as will as different sizes of leather leashes. Special orders may be made for equipment such as utility scent discrimination articles and dumbbells. The Club is usually able to order items at a discount. Contact the Equipment Manager for details of what she/he carries routinely and what is available for special order.

As a member you are required to keep up to date all basic vaccinations on your dogs. Because there are many different dogs present during training, you are encouraged to maintain the vaccination for kennel cough.

Agility

GSDOC has been doing agility for many years. We now offer classes to those interested in learning more about Agility. All the basic obstacles are covered.

Puppy Manners Class

The puppy manners class is offered to the public and Club members. This class is for puppies three to six months old. The class is designed to socialize the dogs, to develop good manners in playing with and enjoying other puppies, to help them adjust to strangers, and to start them on the way to becoming good family members. Basic obedience is introduced in this class.

Family members are encouraged to attend classes and participate in training and discussions on care, grooming and handling a puppy. Training classes consist of six (6) weekly sessions of one hour and daily home practice.

Beginner Obedience Class

The beginner obedience class is also offered to the public and Club members. This class is for dogs six months or older who have had no formal training (other than puppy training). Handlers may or may not have previous experience in obedience training.

The class is designed to socialize dogs. Its focus is basic obedience and household manners. Dogs will be taught to respond to the commands to heel, sit, down, stay, and come. All work at this level is done on a leash. Classes involve group work combined with individual help and observation. Each lesson builds upon the previous lesson for logical progressive achievement. Those who choose may take the Canine Good Citizen test at the end of the course.

Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC)

Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club sponsors the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test to recognize and officially certify those dogs that possess the attributes that enable them to serve effectively as personal companions and as members in good standing with the community. Tests are scheduled at the completion of each Beginner Obedience Class.

The test is available for Club members and the general public. The CGC test and training are conducted for other clubs and organizations on request. The test consists of several parts. Some of the things in the test are stranger approaching to greet owner and dog; dog allowing stranger to pet it; general appearance and grooming; walking under control on a loose leash; walking politely though a crowd; demonstrating sit, down and stay; reaction to another dog; reaction to distraction; and supervised isolation.

All components of the test must be passed successfully. Any aggression is a failing mark. This is a very informal test. Once passed your dog will have an official AKC title. The test is offered to mixed breed dogs as well as purebred dogs.

Novice Level

This is a transition class for club members who have completed the Beginner class or its equivalent level of training. Emphasis is on development of working precision and handling skills for both those training a home companion and those preparing their dogs for competition. Off leash and concentration exercises are introduced. Dogs will be working at various levels of ability in this class. This is an 8-week course.

Open Level

After successful completion of the Novice level or its equivalent Club members may enter the Open class. Dogs are taught retrieving, jumping, and other exercises consistent with the AKC rules for Open competition. This class is also available to pet owners who enjoy advanced training.

Utility Level

Dogs that have completed the Open class or its equivalent may be enrolled. Dogs are taught hand signals, scent discrimination, directed jumping and other exercises conforming to the AKC rules for Utility competition.

Specialty Classes

Throughout the year classes covering specific training issues will be offered to qualified members. Some of these classes might be attention training, heeling, retrieving, jumping etc. Your newsletter will advise you of schedules for these classes.

Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club members whose dogs qualify may participate in activities with the GSDOC Therapy Dog program. This is a select group of dogs and owners who have completed at least the Beginning Obedience Class. Qualified members administer a test to assess whether or not you and your dog will fit into the demanding situation that therapy dogs encounter. The test demonstrates that your dog can be in very close proximity with other dogs and can be handled intimately by strangers without becoming stressed or aggressive.

This group, headed by Ernie Moss, makes weekly visits to senior citizen residences, schools, youth detention centers, hospitals, and many other groups and institutions. The group also performs at other public functions such as parades, demonstrations in malls, etc.

The group was organized to share the remarkable ability our dogs have to make other people feel better and smile. The interaction between the dogs and the people is wonderful. They demonstrate Obedience exercise and fun tricks and the residents spend time petting and talking to the dogs. For younger people we add a demonstration on how to avoid being bitten by a dog and talk to them about basic animal care and spaying and neutering.

Since Ernie organized the GSDOC Therapy Dogs in 1984, they have made hundreds of visits. Ours was the first Therapy Dog program in the area. Those interested in more information may contact the Therapy Director.

Community Involvement

You may already know some of the may ways Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club supports the community. For many people their first exposure to GSDOC may be either the Puppy Manners or the Basic Obedience Class that GSDOC offers to the public to promote good canine behavior and responsible pet ownership in our community.

GSDOC also supports the community in several other ways. This includes the Club's commitment to keep Park Blvd. free of litter between Rainbow Gardens and the Ogden City Animal Shelter. You wouldn't think picking up garbage would be much fun, but we always seem to have a great time!

The Club also sets up a booth at various public events to promote Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club and the care and proper treatment of animals. The Club has been represented at many different events, such as the Weber County Fair, the Utah State Fair, Ogden City Days etc. We also hold an auction each year at the Christmas party to help support the animals at the Ogden Animal Shelter. We always need help in these areas.

Obedience Matches

Each year we hold several obedience competitions. Some are informal fun matches; others are slightly more formal Sanctioned ‘B’ Matches. We are pleased at our new licensed status through AKC that now allows GSDOC to hold point trials. These activities need a tremendous amount of member support. Help is needed to setup, steward (help in the rings), clean up and much more.

Point Trial

GSDOC earned its licensed status early in 1997, which allows us to hold point trials. A point trial is a formal Obedience trial. Since GSDOC is an AKC licensed club, all the rules and regulations from AKC must be followed closely. A point trial takes about 9 months to plan. AKC licensed judges must be scheduled very early and all the registrations must be done in advance. Trials take a tremendous amount of planning and work to be a success. You may earn legs toward obedience titles at point trials. Each time you show at a point trial and earn a qualifying score you earn a leg. You must do this three times under three different judges to earn a title. There are three basic levels or titles you can earn. Companion Dog (CD) is the Novice level, Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) is the intermediate or Open level, and Utility Dog (UD) is the highest level.

Sanctioned ‘A’ Match

GSDOC successfully sponsored two Sanctioned ‘A’ Matches as we were applying for licensed status with AKC. They are conducted exactly like a point trial with the exception of the judges. The judges don’t have to be licensed judges. These matches are held to prove to AKC that a club is ready for licensing. That requirement was filled, and GSDOC won’t need to host any further ‘A’ Matches.

Sanctioned ‘B’ Match

‘B’ Matches are only slightly more formal than a fun match. Registration is held the morning of the show, no corrections are allowed in the ring and trophies and awards are presented.

Fun Matches

A fun match is a very informal obedience event that is held for practice. This is your opportunity to familiarize yourself and your dog with the obedience ring and work on any problems. Corrections and treats are allowed. There are usually no trophies, awards or ribbons presented. Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club is known for its wonderful fun matches. They are well planned and very professional events.

Club Activities

There are several ways in which you can assist the Club. GSDOC hosts many events throughout the year that need member support to be a success. Many are simply fun evenings for you to come and enjoy. The Club hosts two activities each year for the whole family with appropriate activities for the children of our members.

Dog Olympics

This tradition was started about 8 years ago when a few members thought it would be fun to have an evening of games with their dogs. It started with a simple obstacle course of chicken wire and old tires, and a couple of simple relay races. The Olympics has evolved into a wonderful evening of fun events you can do with your dog. This is a family event. The kids really have a good time. We have a full Agility Course, an Agility course for the kids, a fast fetch event, a long toss competition, an egg relay race, a chair relay race, and more. Refreshments are served. Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club was the first club in the area to offer an Agility course for people to run at fun matches and ay our Olympic event. As a member you will be able to participate and help at this event.

Awards Banquet

Once a year GSDOC hosts an Awards Banquet, which is held at a local restaurant. This is a very nice evening for all members of the Club. We recognize everyone who supports the Club and has earned obedience titles, CGC titles, and other appropriate awards during the year. All members are encouraged to come. Surprises do happen to those who least expect it, so you’d better come even if you don’t think you may be getting an award!

Christmas Party and Auction

Each year GSDOC has a wonderful Christmas party. This is an event for the entire family. Sometimes Santa surprises us with a visit! The food is always wonderful because you provide it yourself in the form of a potluck dinner. We have a gift exchange, for our dogs of course, and the highlight of the evening is the auction. Anyone who can donate anything of value is invited to do so. In the past the money has been donated directly to the animals at the shelter. This tradition was started in 1995. The first year we raised over $300 and the second over $500. This is an event we are very proud of and hope will be continued for many years to come. If you have any donations or questions you may contact the Vice President.

Resource Library

The club owns a fairly complete resource library. As a member you are entitled to borrow any item for 1 week. A list is given to new members. Please keep it handy to refer to. Updates to the library will appear in the newsletter for you to copy to your list. The Library Manager usually brings the library to training each week for you to borrow from. Feel free to call the Library Manager if you need something from the Library or have suggestions for additions to the Library.

As you can see, Golden Spike Dog Obedience Club is very busy within the Club and the community. There are many committees working at all times to improve and support the club that need your help.

The Membership phone list is published in the newsletter twice a year. In the interim please update your membership list as changes are being published in the Newsletter.