DOGS Victoria - Obedience Clubs - Sunbury and District Obedience Dog Club

In 1985 David Philips (a Sunbury resident) wanted somewhere local to train his dog. Peter Wood was already a qualified instructor with the German Shepherd Dog Club Inc. and David asked Peter to help start a club in Sunbury and be the instructor if the new club was formed. Peter agreed, and an advert was put in the Regional newspaper asking if anyone was interested.

Eighteen people came to the first training session, and the club was born. David was elected President, Denise Mariner - Secretary and Fred Cilia - Treasurer.

The lack of training facilities did not deter them and the new club began training on the vacant land at the top of Evans Street (now occupied by the Sunbury Shopping Square). An old wooden Scout Hall was used as the clubroom.

Two qualified instructors came from Gisborne and an intensive training program was set in place to get more instructors. Sunbury now has approximately 12 instructors.

The Sunbury & District Obedience Dog Club celebrated 15 years in 2001. We have permanently trained at Boardman Reserve in Mitchells Lane, Sunbury for many years.

We have been involved in many community activities providing regular demonstrations at the Sunbury Fair, Toolern Vale Fair, Riddells Creek Fair, Sunbury Agricultural Show and the Opening of the Sunbury Animal Hospital.

For many years, this club, to its gratitude and support of our wonderful Instructors has brought along many fine members with their dogs who have obtained various Obedience, Agility and other titles over many years.

The Club introduced Agility in 1989. Agility is where the dogs learn to jump, go through tunnels, weaving flags and various other obstacles. The dogs and handlers love it. Many members became keen on the new sport and went on to win at the Royal Melbourne Show in the 90s. Sunbury hosted and won the Victorian Heat of the Bayer Drontal National Agility Challenge in 1994, and went to Alice Springs to compete in the National Finals, where our team came fourth. In 1995 the team again competed in the National Finals, this time in Perth, and placed third.

In 1996 Sunbury and District Obedience Dog Club celebrated ten years as an affiliated club with the Victorian Canine Association (VCA).

Each year the Club hosts an Open Agility Trial (July) and an Open Obedience Trial (September), with entries from handlers all over Victoria. Many Sunbury members have gained obedience and agility titles with their dogs over the years.

In 2005 the club changed its training methods to positive reinforcement training where handlers are enjoying a gentler, easier way to train their dog. The club trains handlers in dog obedience, including socialisation skills with other dogs and people, retrieving and some agility too. Obedience training covers basic to advanced obedience exercises.

New people are always welcome to join every Saturday with training starting at 2.00 pm. S.D.O.D.C. has about 150 members with an average of 60 training each week. All breeds of dog are catered for. The Club caters for people wanting to train their dogs to Trial standard, as well as those who want to make their dogs socially pleasant to live with.