How to Join a Dog Club

If you are involved in any aspect of dog sports or showing, whether it's a breed fancier club, lure coursing, agility, obedience, schutzhund, hunting or any other dog-centered activity, you have probably attended shows and trials. Every event is sponsored and organized by a dog club. Member benefits are only one reason to join a dog club. Being involved, learning more and making new friends are important benefits, too.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. There are both benefits and responsibilities in belonging to a dog club. Tangible benefits may include lowered event entry fees for club-sanctioned events, club tee shirts and other apparel, and lowered training and seminar costs. Annual dues are generally very little and most dog clubs get operating capital from holding sanctioned events. Your responsibilities will be to volunteer for events, attend real-life or online meetings, and generally participate in club activities.

2. You may already train at a facility which has its own sanctioned club. If you are serious about the training or showing and participate in their trials and dog shows, this may be the perfect club to join. Ask other people or trainers who the club president or secretary is. Many clubs are not pushy about recruiting new members but are very glad to have new members.If wherever you train does not have a parent club, pay attention to dog events you attend. Every one is sponsored by a club. Does it seem well run? Are the club members helpful and cheerful? does this seem like a group you would like to become involved in? If so, then ask around about becoming a member.

3. If you show and breed responsibly, belonging to a club not only gives you legitimacy but provides additional networking for finding breeding partners, getting information on vets, judges and other dog professionals, and helps you become more involved with serious dog people. Some breed clubs get involved in legislative issues regarding dog ownership, which is a very important issue nowadays.

4. Generally the process is you have to fill out a simple application form and submit annual dues. At least three club members have to vouch for you as an active member (or someone who sincerely wants to become active) of the dog community and a responsible dog owner. That's it! You get your welcome packet, official tee shirt and you are a member.

5. Attend club events and meetings. If there is an online message group for the club, join that. Get to know your fellow clubmembers and their dogs. Pitch in and offer to help in any way you can. Clubs often bring in enough revenue from holding trials and dog shows that they can fill their coffers quite nicely and afford new equipment, goodies for members and pay for seminars and classes. If you are serious about your dog sport and your dogs, you really owe it to yourself (and your dogs) to join a dog club.