ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION
Tri Cities Dog Training Club of Saginaw Bay, Inc. was organized in 1972 as a non-profit organization. We own, train, and show our own dogs and promote the sport of obedience by offering the community an obedience training program for all purebred and mixed breed dogs at all levels of training. We take pride in the fact that we have enabled hundreds of dog owners in the area to enjoy the advantages of owning a well-trained dog.
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We accomplish this by teaching YOU how to train your dog. Our qualified instructors explain and then demonstrate each required exercise. This process is step-by-step learning, which results in a positive attitude for both the dog and trainer. Of course, those who set aside the necessary time to practice, and use that time effectively with proper praise achieve the best success. Your key to success depends on your commitment to our program.
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Whether your goal is to train your dog to be a happy, responsive pet or to become more involved in the sport of obedience, we welcome the opportunity to help you and your dog achieve your training goals. Our classes range from puppy to highly advanced levels of training. You’ll find descriptions of each class on the Class Information page, with links there to the Class Schedules and Registration form.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
The club has a lot to offer its members. Although many of our members train and compete in Obedience, competition is not required to be a member of the club. There are members who choose to train their dogs just for the fun of it and for the love of their dog.
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Membership privileges include:
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Informational and instructional classes
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Discount on class registrations
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Monthly club meetings
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Monthly communications of the club
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Library privileges with the T.C.D.T.C. library
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Participation in demonstrations, show-n-go’s, and T.C.D.T.C.’s AKC Obedience trials
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Seminars of special interest
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Annual December holiday banquet and July picnic
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Annual membership banquet including awards and trophy ceremonies
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Club training equipment at wholesale price
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Free classes for members who instruct a class, and class discounts or practice floor time for those who assist instructors
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Ongoing interaction with club members with experience in training, competing, and behavior that can offer suggestions and assistance with training problems
We do expect our members to take advantage of everything our club has to offer, and to participate as much as possible in club functions and business.
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Becoming a member:
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Get to know us by attending TCDTC classes and monthly meetings.
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Obtain the sponsorship of 2 active members in good standing for your application.
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Complete the application and submit to one of your sponsors for presentation at the club monthly meeting.
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Following club monthly membership approval vote, pay annual dues.
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Participation includes:
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Attending meetings: General Membership meetings are the second Thursday of each month at 7 pm.
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Helping to set up or take down equipment on class nights; if you take a class at a reduced rate, you are expected to help on those nights
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Participation in special seminars, assist with Obedience Trials
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Chairing a committee, serving on a committee
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Becoming an Executive (E-board) Board member or officer
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Attending and assisting with the Holiday banquet, July picnic, and/or the Spring Awards Banquet
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Assisting an instructor in class
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Possibly instructing a class if qualified
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Encouraging and cultivating new members
MEET OUR TRAINERS
Janet
Trainer
Janet has been involved in dog training since she began training classes with her first dog, a Bernese, in 1980. She has been training and teaching with TCDTC since 2013. She is a retired educator, school administrator and currently serves as school board Vice President for the Saginaw Public School District in her life apart from TCDTC.
Janet teaches our TCDTC Puppy Class, helping owners to connect with their dogs and prepare their puppies for a world of humans and other animals as yet unfamiliar to them. Janet consistently receives excellent ratings from her puppy students.
Linda
Trainer
This Bio is left visible here in Memory of our dear friend and club leader, Linda Lemmer:
I have been training dogs since I was 16 years old. My first dog was an English Bulldog. From there I trained mix breeds, a collie and a Doberman. Then I found the breed I love and have had ever since in 1975, the Belgian Tervuren, and that is when I learned about dog shows.
Over the years my dogs have earned over 40 High in Trials (HIT), earned multi titles in tracking, obedience, rally, championships and many others in multi dog registries.
I have been a member of TCDTC since 1991, been past president and trial secretary for 17 years, and other committee chairs. I am currently president since 2021. I am also a AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator for the club. I have taught all levels of classes for Tri Cities over the years, but currently just teach the competitive levels of obedience and rally, and on occasion a puppy class.
Dearest Linda, you are so missed by us all.
Robin and Dante
Trainer
After joining TCDTC in September 1991, Robin has assisted with Puppy Classes, Obedience Classes, Rally Classes and a Scent Work Class. She has conducted testing for AKC Canine Good Citizen certification and AKC Trick Dog titles. Robin has also taught the preparation seminar for Trick Dog. Robin is currently TCDTC's primary trainer for AKC Rally Obedience. Happy Dogs is a Happy Life!
Anne
Assistant Trainer
Anne started training at TCDTC with her Boxer, Laila, in 2019, earning several titles including CGC, and various levels in Rally, and Trick Dog. In 2022, Anne, a retired public school teacher, began assisting with Basic l and Basic ll Obedience. Anne continues working with Laila in both Rally and Advanced Obedience.
Caelan "Cleric" Damocles
Assistant Trainer
Caelan "Cleric" Damocles started dog training in 2017 with their first Service Dog, Remi (now retired). Since then, Cleric has continued to develop their balanced, positive reinforcement training methods and dog behavioral education by assisting with classes at TCDTC, pursuing a Career Diploma in Dog Obedience Instruction at Penn Foster College, and Training their Current Service Dog, Sphygmo. When Cleric and Sphygmo are not at TCDTC, you might find them volunteering at the Historic Masonic Temple in Bay City or playing Dungeons & Dragons with their friends. Cleric is currently preparing a new service dog, Oso, for future work together.
Jill
Assistant Trainer
Jill joined TCDTC in 2015 by taking a Basic Obedience class, followed by becoming a member that same year. For over 5 years, she has been an assistant trainer for Basic Obedience classes. She helps with Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Trick Dog classes, club events and has taken on board positions within the club. Jill has earned CGC, Novice/Intermediate Trick Dog and Rally awards, and continues being a better owner and trainer of her own dogs because of TCDTC.
Live, Laugh, Love Dogs!!
Sue
Assistant Trainer
Sue became involved in dog training when she took her first puppy class in 2016. She became a member of TCDTC in 2017. Over the past several years with her dog Baloo they have earned their CGC, CGC-A, Urban CGC, Intermediate Trick Dog, and multiple titles in Rally. For the past two years she has been working in Scent Work.