Club History
Stonehouse Dog Training Club was formed in 1962 when there was a need for pet training in central Gloucestershire.
Mike Vines, our former Club Manager, Head Trainer and Chief Stays Steward at the Championsip Show, joined the Club in 1963 having left the army where he was a Military Police Dog Handler. He is still instructing the puppy and beginner classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Not long after this the Club expanded into four classes. It was then that competitive obedience and pet training started to be taught. The interest in competition obedience quickly grew.
The Club currently has 4 instructors running 6 classes a week. There are three classes on a Monday evening and three on a Tuesday evening. See Club Guidelines page for details and times.
There are currently over 200 members of the club.
Mike Vines, our former Club Manager, Head Trainer and Chief Stays Steward at the Championsip Show, joined the Club in 1963 having left the army where he was a Military Police Dog Handler. He is still instructing the puppy and beginner classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Not long after this the Club expanded into four classes. It was then that competitive obedience and pet training started to be taught. The interest in competition obedience quickly grew.
The Club currently has 4 instructors running 6 classes a week. There are three classes on a Monday evening and three on a Tuesday evening. See Club Guidelines page for details and times.
There are currently over 200 members of the club.
Club Show History
Stonehouse Dog Training Club Committee have been responsible for the organisation and smooth running of expemption (Companion) shows since the late 1960's in addition to Club events for members only. Also an Open Obedience (Championship) Show has been held, with great success, since the early 1990's until 2011. It was decided not run the Championship Show in 2012 until further notice. The Open Obedience Championship Show was held at the Oldends Lane field area in Stonehouse (see map and Google Earth photograph below. The field is the large part of the triangle created by Oldends Lane and the two railway tracks).
Stonehouse DTC has a large stock of good quality show equipment which is replenished at regular intervals.
The social side of the club includes a free annual barbeque to which members of several other dog training clubs are invited, as well as our own, which promotes good relationships between all concerned.
There is also the annual presentation evenings, held during classes in December, where Rosettes and Trophies are presented to winners of several categories.
The Club currently has several members that judge at Open and Championship Obedience Show level. Our Club Manager judges Championship Breed and judged the Australian Cattle Dog breed at Crufts in 2010. We have a growing number of enthusiastic handlers that are starting to judge at Companion shows.
Mike and Celia Vines are also involved in breed showing and are show managers for Gloucester Canine and Secretary for Stroud Canine respectively. They are also involved with various breeds and are on several committees. Both judge most of the breeds in the Working and Pastoral groups.
Stonehouse DTC has a large stock of good quality show equipment which is replenished at regular intervals.
The social side of the club includes a free annual barbeque to which members of several other dog training clubs are invited, as well as our own, which promotes good relationships between all concerned.
There is also the annual presentation evenings, held during classes in December, where Rosettes and Trophies are presented to winners of several categories.
The Club currently has several members that judge at Open and Championship Obedience Show level. Our Club Manager judges Championship Breed and judged the Australian Cattle Dog breed at Crufts in 2010. We have a growing number of enthusiastic handlers that are starting to judge at Companion shows.
Mike and Celia Vines are also involved in breed showing and are show managers for Gloucester Canine and Secretary for Stroud Canine respectively. They are also involved with various breeds and are on several committees. Both judge most of the breeds in the Working and Pastoral groups.