Basingstoke & District Dog Training Club
Basingstoke and District Dog Training club has been running since the 1970’s, officially being registered with the Kennel Club in 1976. It was essentially ‘born’ as a result of some very bad weather! The club’s founder was attending dog training classes out in Farnham but on a particularly foggy night, after taking ages to get home, their worried husband suggested she start her own club locally. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Club is so much more than a simple pet dog training club. We don’t just train dogs, we give dog guardians the tools to train their dogs and build lasting, positive relationships. Whilst we give owners and dogs the foundations of basic dog training on a Tuesday and Thursday night, to get the best from your dog and for your dog to get the best from you, it is all about the work and time invested in your puppy/dog once you leave us at the end of class and what you do with the guidance/tools given by our trainers.
The Club is run by an elected committee (all volunteers), it is not for profit which means our committee members and trainers are completely focused on creating a fun, friendly and supportive training environment that is open to the community. We even provide refreshments for you to enjoy at class, so please do help yourself on arrival!
We offer puppy, beginners and intermediate classes as well as The Kennel Club Good Citizen Award Scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold level. We also run a classes on the second Sunday of each month at Pamber Hall, Nr Tadley for those who would like to learn more about training for dog sports such as competitive obedience and/or learning about different ways in which you can enjoy spending time with your dog, e.g. scent work and interactive games.
The Good Citizen Award Scheme is a great introduction to competitive Obedience training and several of our members participate in competitive obedience shows which are held all over the country as well as locally: for example, each May Day Bank Holiday all the local dog training clubs come together at the Hampshire Rally (usually held at Andover) in some friendly competition and fun. It’s a great day out and an introduction to the world of dog obedience. We hold our own show on the second weekend in June and classes are offered from Introductory right through to the highest level which is C class. You don’t have to be at show or Cruft’s level to compete but if you like a little challenge and enjoying working towards set goals with your dog then competing is a great way to have fun, build your relationship with your dog and also make new friends and socialise in some beautiful locations and settings with like-minded people.
If you are not sure about competing yourself then there are also lots of other ways to get involved to support the Club and we welcome volunteers to help with setting up shows, stewarding, scoreboarding, organising refreshments, car parking; every little helps and we are always incredibly grateful for any spare time you can give to keeping the Club running smoothly and allowing us to get involved in the dog community.
We are the only Kennel Club registered* dog training club in Basingstoke. This means we can and do hold Kennel Club licensed shows. We are also bound by Kennel Club Regulations, including constitutional oversight and financial reporting, as well as being run by an elected committee.
* There are other Kennel Club APPROVED clubs locally who may have Good Citizen Dog Scheme Listed Status and can also offer you Good Citizens Training. These clubs are bound by the Kennel Club Code of Practice for Listed Status. There is no requirement for them to undertake the same reporting, nor are they permitted to hold Kennel Club licensed shows.
Most of our committee members are also trainers or assistant trainers at the Club, you will also see some of us participating in the classes ourselves.
Trainer Stuart spent 26 years as a police officer in London and the home counties. During his service he devoted much of his time teaching, training and mentoring other officers. His dog experience comes mainly from his many years as a police dog handler where he had the opportunity to work and train closely with other police force’s, the military and other government agencies. This exposed him to different training techniques and styles, broadening his experience. As a dog owner Stuart has rescued or adopted several dogs, all with differing needs and personalities, which at times meant thinking outside the box when it came to training. In 2021 Stuart was invited to join the Club as a volunteer trainer, subsequently taking over the running of the puppy class, but also lends a hand wherever is needed. Having left the police, Stuart started his own dog training business and has enrolled on/completed several canine courses, such as canine behaviour and dog first-aid.
Committee Member Stuart is currently the Club Committee Chair person.
Trainer Caroline’s entry into the world of dogs started in 2004 with an Irish rescue German Shepherd cross called Royston. A local training club was recommended and before long she was asked to start assisting in classes. Roll on 20 years and Caroline now has 15 years of running training classes under her belt, 4 of them at BDDTC. Caroline has also undertaken several online courses including, Puppy Lab and Scent 4-6 with The School of Canine Science, and is always looking to broaden her knowledge. Caroline has achieved KC Good Citizen Gold award with both Royston, and his successor Bear (also a rescue GSDx) so is well placed to pass her knowledge on to club members as trainer of Good Citizen classes at BDDTC. Caroline is also a Bronze Assessor for the KC Good Citizen scheme.
Committee Member Caroline is our Course Bookings Secretary – responsible for matching up applicants with available places on our courses. She is also a Member of the Hampshire Rally Committee and responsible for organising the BDDTC team for Hampshire Rally.
Assistant Trainer Kate grew up with dogs and they remain an important part of her family today. Having lived with Rottweilers since she was a teenager, this is her most loved breed. With her current Rottie, Kate has enjoyed taking part in Obedience & Good Citizen training and ‘had a go’ at competitive obedience. Kate enjoys helping out with training classes and with arrangements for the Club’s annual competitive events. Away from dog club, Kate is a plant pathologist, specialising in problems on the managed turf of sports facilities and relaxes by completing long distance walking trails.
Committee Member Kate joined the committee in 2018 and was appointed Club Secretary in 2020.
Assistant Trainer Sandie has a background in Animal Management and has been teaching in this field for 18 years inclusive of teaching students how to train and interact with a range of animals. Her first love has always been dogs, inspired by a little deaf rescue dog that her mum homed and trained. After joining the Club in 2022 in the Good Citizen Class she now volunteers to help with the puppy classes and is currently completing the PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers, Puppy Course). Sandie competes in both agility and obedience with her Papillon, Wilbur and is a Gold KC Good.
Committee Member Sandie joined the committee in 2024 and is currently involved with producing training guides and organising the Clubs training resources.
Jackie can often be seen at classes with her fabulous Cocker Spaniel, Penny who enjoys being the Club demonstration dog when required! Jackie and Penny have achieved the Gold KC Good Citizen Award.
Committee Member Jackie is the Club’s Treasurer.
Derek joined the club to predominantly train his Belgian Shepherd Malinois, Petra and attain his Good Citizen Award. Petra is now a Silver GC Award holder and is working towards Gold. Petra is also a breed show dog and has previously qualified and been shown at Crufts. Derek is also training his partially sighted/deaf dog Yva who has attained her Bronze GC Award and is working towards Silver. Derek and his partner carry out home checks to assess suitability of potential adoptors for several dog rescue centres.
Committee Member Derek organises our key shows and produces the Club Newsletter.
Assistant Trainer Jackie knew from a very young age that she wanted to work with dogs starting her early career off working in racing kennels and then working in boarding kennels. She ran her own boarding and dog walking business for many years before retiring Jackie has achieved her Gold GC award and has done a little bit of showing and fun obedience class competitions with some success. Jackie helps out in various classes but her favourite is the puppy class!