Membership
Join a dog training community that is passionate, determined, and supportive. No matter what training you are pursuing, we’ve got exactly what you need.
Requirements for New Members
Applicants for membership must take these steps:
Ask a club member to sponsor you for application. Your sponsor will typically be the instructor from your class or a classmate.
Attend two member meetings, the first one with your sponsor. Meetings are held on the 4th Monday of each month unless otherwise decided by the board of directors.
Complete one 6-week class at NDTC within the 3 years before applying.
Complete 10 hours of volunteer work for the club.
Exceptions: The board of directors reserves the right to waive any of these requirements in lieu of a letter of recommendation from another dog club regarding membership and good standing OR having trained performance dogs and/or having placed a CD on a dog and having a sponsor who is already an NDTC member. Ten volunteer hours must still be completed before club membership will be granted.
Volunteer Opportunities
As a volunteer organization, the club is always in need of people to teach or assist with classes, serve as ring stewards at matches and obedience trials, agility trials or tracking tests, perform any number of duties for events, distribute marketing brochures, help with general building maintenance and trash removal, field questions, write for and edit our newsletter, and represent the club at public events, to name just a few of the many functions that must be performed in order to fulfill our goals. Many of these functions do not require specific dog-training knowledge or experience. There is a suitable job for any person wishing to support the club.
Annual Renewal Requirements
Ten Volunteer Hours
Two Membership Meetings
The membership year runs from January 1 to December 31.
During the month of November, the membership chair will mail a renewal reminder to each member for the upcoming year.
Annual dues for current members are payable on or before January 1 each year with a grace period continuing until March 1.
After March 1, members not paying dues become lapsed.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons: Private Lessons are not eligible for discounted or free ring time. NDTC club members may give 1:1 private lesson to members and non-members. Members using the NDTC building to give private lessons must pay $10 per hour, per ring.
Member Discounts
Club members who volunteer at least 10 hours per year may take classes at a discounted rate. Membership discounted rates are 50% of class fees. Some classes may be exempt from receiving discounts. Please refer to the Membership FAQ section for information on the exempt classes.
After Members teach one 6-week class, they receive a free 6-week class, redeemable within 12 months.
After Members teach two classes, they receive up to four free classes, redeemable within 12 months.
Members can receive one free class for every two classes they assist, redeemable within 12 months.
Members who serve on the board of directors receive 12 free classes for each year of service, starting at the beginning of the first year of service. For instance: a board member serving one year would receive two years of benefit, their board year and one additional year.
Member Crates
Crate space at the building is limited. As a result, crate space will be distributed on an equitable basis as determined by request and availability. For members who own and train multiple dogs and desire more than one space, your consideration of these limitations is appreciated. More than 2 crates are generally discouraged. Please contact the Vice-President if you have questions about crate space.
Ring Rentals
Any NDTC club member may reserve a ring or rings for a reasonable amount of time.
Classes, seminars, fun matches and other club events will take precedence over individuals in reserving rings.
Where possible, rings are available for reservation up to 60 minutes before classes start in that ring, and immediately after classes are finished.
If possible, during the 60 minutes before class, the ring is open for use by any instructor or assistant that is teaching that same night. Instructors/assistants may use this time to train their own dogs or set up for their class. If no instructor/assistant is using the ring, then members may use the ring, until/unless an instructor/assistant needs the ring.
Full Building Rental
Members and non-members wishing to reserve the entire building (not just 3 rings, but office, upstairs, etc. in addition to 3 rings) must request board approval before reserving. Outside groups wishing to use the building must have an NDTC member/sponsor and must pay a cleaning fee and rental fee.