Merrimac Dog Training Club

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Hampton, VA
Merrimac Dog Training Club

Merrimac Dog Training Club is an AKC licensed club in Hampton, VA offering obedience, rally, agility, scent work, fast CAT and barn hunt

The Merrimac Dog Training Club (MDTC) is housed in a 10,000 square foot facility that supports our full range of training classes, run-throughs, seminars, and trials. With room for three regulation- sized, fully matted obedience rings, our climate-controlled facility allows for multipurpose year around use: obedience, agility, and conformation matches; special events; club meetings; and seminars a

nd workshops. For instance, obedience trials enjoy three rings, exhibitor crating space, dog exercise area, kitchenette, ample parking at the building, and motels accepting dogs within ten minutes driving time. In addition to supporting MDTC activities and classes, the building is available for rent by other clubs or organizations at reasonable rates.

11/10/2025

Food for thought.

11/09/2025

A few candid shots of Barn Hunt Master, trial 2 on Sunday Nov 9.
Share your weekend brags and photos in the comments.

11/07/2025

A few candid shots of exhibitors and volunteers at last weekend's Scent Work trials. Please drop your own photos and brags in the comments!

11/06/2025

Mark your calendar

Entries close Saturday, November 15, at 6:00pm for the Merrimac Dog Training Club Fall Agility Trial held November 29-30 with judge Patricia Dunseith.

Online Registration and premium will be available at www.secreterrier.com. Link to premium below:

https://merrimacdogtrainingclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/MDTC-November-2025-Agility-Premium-List.pdf

Also, MDTC will offer an Agility Run-Thru on November 22, just prior to the Fall trial. We'll run a Standard course designed for a past event at MDTC by judge Patricia Dunseith. Registration will be from 8:30am until 10:00am with runs starting at 9:00am. Cost will be $5 per run.

We look forward to seeing you!

11/06/2025

Mark your calendars for our Sunday, November 16th Obedience & Rally Run-thru! Checks made out to MDTC, or exact change would be appreciated! We no longer have pre-registration.
Please bring a crate for your dog to stay in while it is not warming up to go in the ring or actively working in the ring. Also, bring a tarp to place under your crate.
Building opens at 8:00 AM for registration lasting till 10:30 AM.
Fees are $8 / $7/ $5 for each dog for Obedience runs and $5 for each Rally run (Reminder--exact change, please).
Fee for the 10-minute timed Utility/practice ring time is the same as obedience.
**We will NOT be providing a JUDGE for UTILITY**

We will start judging at 9 AM with Beginner Novice/Novice, Open and Rally.
After Open is completed, we will start Utility/practice with the 10 timed minutes in the ring per dog WITHOUT A PROVIDED JUDGE.
The 10 minutes in the ring can also be for other level dogs wanting to practice with distractions. All props and equipment must be in and out of the ring in the allotted 10-minute time frame.
No throwing balls that may bounce into other rings or throwing treats in the ring. A steward will be at the table with the timer and will be available to set bars and put out articles/gloves.
You can partner with a friend and take multiple
slots of time to run each other through or work on a particular issue.
Rally will run all morning with Novice thru Master on nested courses. Walk thru will be any time before 9 am. There will be another walk thru later in the morning as well.

11/05/2025

Today is the end of our Triple Crown Dog spotlights as well as the end of our P0odle Parade. Here to wrap up our 2024 awards is Julie Kolberg's boy, Draeger. Last year he added Trick Dog Novice to his long and distinguished resume. Unfortunately, in February of this year at almost 14 years old, Draeger crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Julie has asked that we include her tribute to him on his spotlight page.
Here are a few words that Julie has said about Draeger:
“Draeger completely changed the trajectory of my life. I never would have dreamed that I would be on the journey that I am with him. Traveling around the country competing in the world of competitive obedience, throwing dead ducks, traipsing through mud and fields for hunt tests, agility trials.....I am an introvert and he has taken me WAY out of my comfort zone helping me grow in leaps and bounds. I've met so many new friends and developed deeper friendships with the friends I have. He is my heart dog.”

11/04/2025

We are almost done showing you our club's Triple Crown Dogs for 2024, next up in the P0odle Parade is Linda Walker's 8-year-old boy, Eli. In 2024, Eli earned four Scent Work titles- Buried Excellent, Interior Advanced, Containers Advanced and overall Advanced.
Linda shares this with us: "Eli is a rather rambunctious boy. We decided that Agility was too confusing, Barn Hunt? HA! Scent Work is right up his alley or should I say nose. He learned fast and is so good he has almost caught up with his sister, Una."

Speaking of Una, she is 9 years old and is co-owned by Abigail Walker. Una had a busy year in 2024 in multiple sports. She passed her Canine Good Citizen test, achieved her RATCHX & RATCHX2 in Barn Hunt and in Scent Work- Advanced Buried, overall Advanced, Excellent Exterior, Buried Exterior and overall Excellent titles.
Linda tells us: "Una kinda marches to her own drummer. She was a singleton puppy but plays well with others. This girl is doing extremely well in Barn Hunt and Scent Work. You might say she has a good nose. I'm very proud of her."

11/03/2025

Today we celebrate Sherry Bryant's girl, Gee. She is an 11-year-old Standard P0odle who is still strutting her stuff in the Rally ring picking up her Rally Excellent title in 2024.
It has been a little while since Sherry's title award spotlight, so we'll repeat her little story about her dogs, make sure you read it to the "tune" of a Dr Seuss story:

"In a quaint little town by a bubbling brook lived three p00dle
sisters in a cozy nook. Gee was a whirlwind, full of zest and delight, with a twinkle in her eye and paws oh so light. Bindi, her sister, was clever and wise, always finding adventures under sunny blue skies. But Brandy, the youngest, has a curious knack for speaking in tongues when left in her shack. With Gee's energy and Bindi's charm, they'd set out each day arm in arm. And though Brandy's babble was quite a surprise, her love-filled heart was their greatest prize. Together they'd laugh, play and roam, making their little nook a magical home."

11/01/2025

As promised--marching along with our Po0dle Parade!
Here comes two of Ginger Wade's family members--
Teddy is 8 years old and in 2024, he was busy earning his Scent Work Exterior Advanced title.
Ginger says: "Teddy had lots of fun in 2024! He competed in Scent Work and Barn Hunt, in addition to doing some Therapy Dog visits at a local nursing home. He also attended Career Day and Literary Night at a local elementary school."

Farrah is 5 years old and in 2024, she picked up her Scent Work Interior Advanced title.
Ginger tells us: "Farrah was very busy in 2024! She had a litter of puppies, competed in Scent Work, did Career Day at a local elementary school and visited at a local nursing home. Farrah has a lot of energy and has enjoyed playing with her pups. I often have to remind her that she is Tango's mother and not her playmate!"

10/31/2025

Happy Howl-o-ween!!!
We promise the P00dle Parade will resume tomorrow!!

10/29/2025

Our December Barn Hunt trials are open!

All Master and Crazy 8s trial 1&3 are about half full already. Crazy 8s trial 2&4 and all Novice through Senior have plenty of room. Get your entries in!

Remember, Elizabeth is NOT the secretary for this event, make sure you send them to the correct secretary!

10/28/2025

This is what a bunch of folks have been waiting for, I'm sure---our club's Parade of P00dles!! The next several days will be dedicated to these stylish pups--
Cindy Negron and her 4-year-old D00dle, Presley got serious in the Obedience ring in 2024 and picked up his Companion Dog Excellent and his Graduate Novice titles along with his BCAT in Fast CAT, Fit Dog Bronze titles, passed the AKC Temperament Test and got his Therapy Dog Certification.
Cindy tells us: "The minute I saw him; I knew his name was Presley. A sleek black pup with deep soulful eyes that reminded me of Elvis himself. Out of the litter, he stood out and soon he had me "all shook up" and stole my heart. What started as simple training classes has evolved into dog trials that challenge us, test our resolve and push us to grow. Presley's presence has a profoundly calming effect on my nerves and together, we've become a determined unstoppable team-an unexpected but welcome surprise. I initially pursued training to bond with Presley and ensure he'd be a well-behaved walking companion. Now, as a newcomer to dog training, I'm excited to explore Utility training with him. Ultimately, his gentle nature and unwavering loyalty make him my perfect match. Even if he never sings, those mesmerizing Elivs' eyes ensure he's always the main attraction."

Three-year-old, Sinatra was not far behind his "brother" in the Obedience ring. Sinatra and Vicente also picked up their Companion Dog Excellent and Graduate Novice titles in 2024 along with their BCAT in Fat CAT and his Fit Dog Bronze.
Cindy shares this about Sinatra-"When I met Sinatra, I was captivated by his charming personality and striking laser blue eye. Sinatra is a smart, alert and obedient dog, always eager to please. His boundless energy and relentless drive to work make him an incredible training partner. I knew he would bring joy to my family and Presley welcomed him as a new sibling. As I, Cindy, trained with Sinatra, it became clear that Vicente was the ideal person to help him unlock his inner strength. Together, they have formed an unbreakable connection, and I'm thrilled to see Sinatra develop into a confident, energetic and diligent worker. As a team, Vicente has helped Sinatra reach new heights and become an invaluable member of our family, in return, Sinatra has inspired Vicente to become a more focused and determined dog trainer."

Address

15 Newsome Place
Hampton, VA
23661

Telephone

(757) 723-8141

Website

http://www.merrimacdogtrainingclub.org/

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