Each year, CRDTC holds two AKC-licensed obedience trials, a obedience match, Canine Good Citizen tests, and other special events and activities including a summer picnic, holiday party with canine games, and special workshops. CRDTC members are involved in all kinds of dog sports and activities, including obedience competition, agility, animal-assisted therapy, breed rescue and adoption, conformation (showing in breed), fieldwork and hunt tests, carting, earthdog tests, Flyball, herding, search-and-rescue (SAR), and tracking.

The club provides a newsletter (the CRDTChronicle) that includes a list of New England dog events; a Web site (www.geocities.com/crdtc) with a wealth of information; and e-mail lists. CRDTC members can also use the club library which has a collection of training books, videos, and other materials.

At the club’s Annual Meeting, awards are given for eligible members whose dogs have earned performance titles, breed championships, and other achievements during the year. CRDTC’s greatest accomplishment has been public service—the endeavor to train dogs as good citizens and companions.

• A discount on training fees
• The annual membership roster
• The CRDTChronicle newsletter
• Invitations to the annual awards dinner and other special events
• Access to the club library of books and videos and to the club e-mail lists

CRDTC members are asked to:

• Follow the club’s training guideliness and other policies
• Volunteer to help with "desk duty" once a year
• Pitch in and help with setup (mats, gates, jumps, etc.)
• Support club activities such as the March & November obedience trials and May match
• Help maintain a congenial, friendly atmosphere for all members and dogs

Welcome to the CHARLES RIVER DOG TRAINING CLUB! Please note these training guidelines; if you have any questions or suggestions about training issues or club activities, please contact the club president, any of the members of the Board of Directors, or your instructor.

• Collars and leashes: Handlers should use a training collar (also called a slip collar, choke collar, or necklace) or a standard buckle collar, and a leather or fabric leash—not chain. (You can buy a slip collar and leash at the check-in desk at nominal cost.) In particular, CRDTC does not allow "prong" collars ("pinch" collars) or electronic "shock" collars. If you want to use non-standard equipment, such as a harness, head collar ("Gentle Leader," "Halti," and so on), retractable "Flexi" leash, etc., get the consent of your instructor or the club president.
  

• Age requirements: Handlers should be at least 15 years old; dogs, at least 6 months old. Any exceptions should be arranged before the start of the class, with the consent of the instructor.
  

• Guests and visitors: Friends and family—including children—are most welcome to watch the activities, so long as they´re seated quietly and don´t disturb the dogs and handlers. Please remember that not all dogs are comfortable around children or strangers. Before approaching or petting a strange dog, ask for the owner´s permission.
  

• Control: Keep your dog on leash except for specifically off-leash exercises. You must control your dog (on leash and off leash) for the safety and protection of other dogs and people. Also, please try to prevent excessive barking. Dogs that are overly aggressive or creating a nuisance will be excused at the judgment of the instructor. Please don´t bring bitches (female dogs) in season into the club.
  

• Mats, gates, jumps, and other equipment: Everyone´s help is appreciated in setting up the training areas. Please respect the equipment and facilities. Jumps should be used only by physically mature, healthy dogs. If you´re not sure what jump heights to set for your dog, check with your instructor.
  

• Courtesy: Handlers should not train in such a way as to distract or interfere with other dogs and handlers. Please yield the "right of way." For example, if a training area is being used for individual instruction, don´t enter or leave your dog in that area. Please let other dogs and handlers have their turns using jumps and other equipment or training areas.
  

• Methods: No non-AKC-approved training is permitted. Experienced handlers are reminded that they´re models for beginners — please make sure your actions, such as in correcting your dog, are what you want beginners to imitate and what you want the general public to think of obedience training.
  

• Abuse: No abuse of dogs will be permitted or tolerated.
  

• Clean-up: You´re responsible for what your dog deposits, both inside and outside the facility. Please "exercise" your dog before class and make sure he doesn´t foul the Field School grounds or the surrounding neighborhood. (There are pick-up bags, waste buckets, and other cleaning supplies inside the gym and outside, near the entrance to the building.)
  

• Infractions: Instructors or the club president shall give one verbal warning for any infraction of the club rules. Further infractions will result in the handler´s suspension.
  

These guideliness may not cover all situations and problems that could arise. Please use good judgment and courtesy so that everyone can enjoy the club. Thanks!