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With over 45 years helping Hutt families have happy times with happy dogs we offer you the opportunity to learn to train your dog, a skill you will have for life.
ADTC was established in 1976 and is an Associate of Dogs NZ, the governing body of all things “dog” in this country. We are a volunteer run organisation, with experienced instructors who want you to get the same enjoyment out of your dogs that they get from theirs.
We concentrate on domestic obedience from puppies to older dogs. We can introduce you to competition obedience and give you the support to take your training to the levels you want.
Domestic obedience covers all of the basic commands including, but not limited to, sit, down, come, stay, good heel work (walking on and off lead).
One of the main things we concentrate on is good manners around other dogs and people.
We also introduce the use of agility-type equipment to help dogs gain confidence when faced with new and challenging situations. It is also a bit of fun for us and our dogs.
We also support the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) programme and encourage our trainees to undertake training for this.
All Level 1 dogs are required to sit the Canine Good Basics assessment at the end of the 6 week course in order to progress through the grades. This is the only “mandatory” assessment we have, as it is free to sit and gives the trainee a good understanding of on-going training needs. It is also internally assessed by one of our Team of Instructors.
We invite applications for training from all people and for most dogs. We can help with dogs of all ages and most temperaments, or can put you in touch with specialist trainers.
We enrol six times a year, running 6 week courses. Check out the Calendar for our upcoming enrolment and course dates.
Club History
Club History
In 1976 a group of members of the Hutt Valley Kennel Centre’s obedience section in Mabey Road, Lower Hutt, decided to break away and form an obedience club. With a $5 donation from each of the new members, the club was born. The club, known then as Avalon Canine Obedience Club, was incorporated in February 1981 under the Incorporated Society Act.
The new club's first ribbon trial was held on 24th July 1977 with 78 entries, and fringes on all the ribbons beautifully hand sewn by Sue Cooper. Obedience people in the area showed tremendous support, and the first Avalon Championship Test was held on the 11 September 1977 at Belmont Domain.
Training at this time was held at Belmont Domain behind the Scout Hall. A truck was used to hold the battery powered lights and the ‘kitchen facilities’, being a thermal urn on loan from the Gear Meat Company.
The club started their fundraising for their own clubrooms
Despite numerous challenges and meetings, the club found a permanent home on the Education Board grounds in Victoria Street, and were granted permission to build the clubrooms. Building plans were drawn up and approved, with the proposed cost for the clubrooms being about $5,000. With dedication from one professional builder and a team of willing amateurs the first meeting was held in the new clubrooms on the 16th February 1983.
Amidst all of the work to get the clubrooms established, there were still training nights, instructors practice, demonstration team practices, meeting and shows.
Training and competitions continued over this period included ‘water hazards’ there remains of a sealed playground in some areas beneath the grass blocking drainage. Sometimes the dogs were competing in two inches of water!
In 1986 the Victoria Street grounds were to be sold, so the search was on for a new home. Once again the club was talking to (and pleading with) the Lower Hutt City Council. The club found two unexpected and supportive allies in both the Director and Deputy Director of Parks and Reserves.
After looking at various sites that were unsuitable for the large numbers in the domestic classes and associated parking requirement, finally, and ironically, Belmont Domain was suggested. The members agreed, however there were challenges getting approval from the neighbouring Pony Club. With challenges overcome, the Avalon Canine Obedience Club returned to it's ‘birthplace’ and the clubrooms were moved to their current location in January 1988.
Once trenches were dug for the lighting, the sewer, power and phone lines, and the rooms painted in a suitable colour with paint supplied by L.H.C.C Parks and Reserves, the clubrooms were set with all the modern conveniences. A far cry from the makeshift kitchen, battery lights, and comfort stops in the bushes!
In July 2007 the club was renamed to Avalon Dog Training Club Inc.
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