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History written by Joyce Ostby, May 1, 2006
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History Locations Club Functions Club Members 1st and 2nd Obedience Trials |
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Spokane Dog Training Club History Spokane Dog Training Club has always been a collection of people who loved their dogs and enjoyed the comradeship of other people who liked training their dogs. But it has not always been about the dogs and our fascination with them and enjoyment in training them. In the beginning it was just obedience and promoting a well-trained dog that brought people together. Even before the group had incorporated or had a training hall they also offered their skills to the public so they too could have a better pet and more fully appreciate their dogs. From the beginning, the purpose of the Club has been to promote obedience training and make dogs better citizens. Over the years the Club has never wavered from that purpose and has been responsible for the training of thousands of dogs. The one characteristic of the Club instructors has been their willingness to d0nate their time in order to impart their knowledge to other handlers, whether Club members or the public. Early records show that the newly formed group elected their first officer in November of 1948. Lt. Col. G.H. Mueller was elected the first president; T.J. Burger Jr. first vice president; Marvin Hall, second vice president; Dorothy Briggs, secretary; and Mary Jane Rodgers, treasurer. Col. Mueller was an avid spokesman for the club, and the Spokesman Review carried a number of articles about upcoming classes. Because the group did not have a hall, they held their first classes at the Armory (now where Laser Quest is located.) Charge for a ten-week course was $10. Dogs were featured in the newspapers in those days by showing pictures of the winners in various classes! Breeds featured in the photos were Standard Schnauzer, Golden Retriever, Weimeraner, Samoyed, and Boston Terrier. Plan A Sanctioned Obedience Trial sponsored by AKC was held on February 12, 1950 at the Spokane Armory. Entered were 16 dogs in Novice A, 1 in Open A, 2 in Open B, and 2 in Utility. A Poodle, owned by Peggy Cornell, was high in trial with a score of 199. It is surmised that individuals came to Spokane who had prior obedience experience since there were entries in Utility. The very first AKC licensed trial was held on September 24, 1955 and the club has been sponsoring two trials a year during most years since that date. |
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