The Muskoka District Kennel Club is committed to the recognition and betterment of all dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed. Our constitution is governed by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and we support all of the Muskoka region, with our 3500 sq.ft training centre located in Gravenhurst, Ontario. We are a Not for Profit Organization, and our members volunteer their time to teach classes and support the community in their dog training journey.
The Muskoka District Kennel Club was established in the 1970's and has been serving Muskoka dogs for over 50 years. Many of our members are actively training their dogs and competing in a variety of dog sports - many also have multiple titles from CKC events including Obedience, Rally Obedience, Agility, Scent Detection, and Conformation.
The Muskoka District Kennel Club supports various canine related activities within our community and we support the development of better training practices for all dog owners including positive training techniques and encouragement.
Whether you're looking to train your newest best friend, or looking for advanced obedience training, the Muskoka District Kennel Club offers a variety of classes.
The Muskoka District Kennel Club also offers various seminars such as scent detection and show handling, as well as several competitions throughout the year.
See class descriptions below!
Puppy Obedience is for dogs under 6 months of age, and begins the learning process for being a well behaved and social dog. It incorporates the basics of attention, sit, down/settle, wait, come, walking on leash, off/take it, and stay. You and your puppy will work on both the hand signals and verbal commands for these exercises. The above skills will be used to shape your dog's manners, and there will also be a handling component in each class so that your puppy can practice having their ears, mouth, feet, etc handled. Puppies must have received their second set of vaccinations to participate.
Beginner Obedience is for dogs 6 months of age and older, and has the same goals as Puppy Obedience but also incorporates additional distractions while learning these skills. You and your dog will work on attention, sit, down/settle, wait, come, walking on leash, off/take it, and stay. You and your dog will work on both the hand signals and verbal commands for these exercises. The above skills will be used to shape your dog's manners, and there will also be a handling component in these classes.
Level 2 Obedience goes beyond the beginner levels with additional skills and commands, and first requires the completion of either Puppy Obedience or Level 1 Obedience. If you are interested in challenging your dog or working towards trying some dog sports in the future this is the class for you! This class provides the framework for a dog to move on to other classes such as Rally Obedience or Agility, and includes skills such as attention, stand, drop, stay, finishes, recalls, and heeling. You will learn both hand signals and verbal commands in this class.
This class teaches dogs and their handler the various Rally Obedience signs and commands, and incorporates those skills into various courses that the participants practice. The dogs and their handler work together, building a bond while learning a new dog sport! The completion of Level 2 Obedience is required in order to register for this class.
Agility is an obstacle course sport where dogs and their owner/handler work on their ability to function as a team while navigating various obstacles. The skills incorporated into the classes include learning to handle various agility obstacles, working off leash, and building confidence in your dog while working at a distance from the handler. You will have the opportunity to practice various obstacles including jumps, the teeter totter, the A-frame, tunnels, the dog walk, and weave poles.
Dogs must be able to get along with other dogs & people in a fast paced environment, be at least 1 year of age, and have completed Level 2 Obedience to attend this class.
Are you curious about dog sports but are unsure which sport is best suited to you and your dog?! This class allows you to explore several dog sports, as each week you will be introduced to a different sport including Scent Detection, Agility, Obedience/Rally Obedience, and Trick Training.
Dogs must understand basic commands, such as those learned in Puppy Class or Level 1 Obedience, and must be capable of working in a group setting with other dogs/people.
Our sessions are four weeks in length, and each class generally runs for an hour.
The session fee is $130, which includes HST. The fee includes all of the classes during that session. The payment methods we accept are E-transfer, cash, or cheque.
*Lots of treats! Treats should be high-value to your dog, and ideally soft. Bringing several types of treats can be helpful.
*A flat collar and a six foot leash are ideal for your dog to wear in class.
*You are welcome to bring a small mat, bed, or blanket for your dog to rest on.
*Water dish, poop bags, and any other items you would find useful to care for your dog while they're at class.
In order to set you and your dog up for success, we need to ensure that you have the necessary foundational skills mastered before you move on to more difficult classes/attempt a dog sport. For example, without basic obedience skills it will be very difficult to attempt a Rally or Agility class. We want to avoid any frustration and make it easy for you to transition to the next step in your training!
No need to bring your dog along, registration is all about us getting to connect with you! You are welcome to complete the registration form ahead of time (you can find it below in the 'Downloads' section), or you can complete a form once you arrive at registration. Please bring proof of vaccination and payment.
Unsure of which class to enroll in? We are always happy to chat with you at registration to figure out which class is the best fit for you and your dog!
*Classes begin the week of November 18th*
Mondays:
6:30pm Intermediate Agility
7:30pm Advanced Agility
Tuesdays:
6:30pm Puppy Obedience
7:45pm Level 2 Obedience
Wednesdays:
6:30pm Rally Drop-In
*$15/night
*All levels, 2 courses
*Dog and handler must already be familiar with the rally signs
Thursdays:
10am Puppy Obedience
6:30pm Level 1 Obedience
Fridays:
9:30am Level 2 Obedience
10:45am Level 1 Obedience
Someone will reply as soon as the dogs allow!
Want information about our next session of classes?! See the 'Event' section above.