10/23/2026
The Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc. has been offering dog obedience training classes for the Anderson area since 1944 (except when disbanded during the war 1946).
History of Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc.
Anderson, Indiana
Incorporated in State of Indiana
October 12, 1944
“WE TEACH YOU HOW TO TRAIN AND GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR PUPPY OR DOG”
The Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc. has expanded over the years from a very small group of dedicated pet owners to a membership of around 100 individuals. We have gone from the first training class held in a sale barn with one ring, to our present training location, Indiana National Guard Armory, Anderson, IN, with four rings. Our goals today are much the same as in 1944: To promote and encourage the training of all dogs, and to promote “Responsible Dog Ownership”.
On October 12, 1944 the Anderson Obedience Training Club was incorporated in the State of Indiana as a Non Profit Domestic Corporation. The purposes for which it was formed were:
• To promote interest, training, ownership and appreciation of pure-bred dogs.
• To sponsor and conduct canine obedience training classes.
• To hold and support obedience trials and sanctioned matches under the Rules and Regulation of the American Kennel Club.
• To do and perform all things necessary to the carrying out the above purposes.
The organization was disbanded in 1946 due to the war. In late 1954, a group of dog owners started training classes in the Anderson area once again. At that time the group was known as the Anderson Dog Obedience Group. On January 11th and 18th, 1955 the training classes were held at Hector Kirk’s Sale Barn and some classes were held at the Sports Arena on Meridian Street, Anderson, IN. The Club later moved to the C**n Hunter’s Club. From the C**n Hunter’s Club the classes were moved to the Conversation Club on West 8th St., Anderson, IN and name was changed back to Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc.
The Club continued to hold classes at the Conversation Club until 1968. In January 1968 the training classes were located to the Indiana National Guard Armory, 125 S. Scatterfield Rd., Anderson, IN
Through the guidance of Patricia Sample (club member) on March 12, 1973, The Internal Revenue Service approved Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc. as a Not for Profit Organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501-(C)-7
Through the guidance and encouragement of member Mr. Max McCammon, (American Kennel Club Obedience judge), and several members of the club, the process began to gain approval from the American Kennel Club to hold AKC Licensed Obedience Events.
• January 12, 1969 was the date of our first Obedience Fun Match.
• April 12, 1970 the American Kennel Club granted permission to hold our first AKC Sanctioned OB Match Event.
• September 9, 1973 was the date for our first AKC Sanctioned OA Match Event.
• September 7, 1974 the American Kennel Club granted approval for the holding of our first annual AKC Licensed All-Breed Obedience Event.
In 1998, the Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc. was approved as a Member Club of the American Kennel Club. Our first American Kennel Club Delegate, Mrs. Patricia A Sample, was seated at the September 1998 American Kennel Club Delegates meeting held in New York, NY.
Today the Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc. offers classes to the public for Kindergarten Puppy Training, AKC Basic Obedience and AKC Scent Work classes.
For our members we have AKC classes for Novice, Open, and Utility, AKC Rally Obedience, AKC Scent Work, AKC Family Dog Certification/Testing. The classes are open to all breeds of dogs - Pure-bred and Mixed Breed. Our classes are structured to teach owners how to “Train and Gain Control of Their Puppy or Dog”, and to be a “Responsible Dog Owner”.
Many of our members compete in AKC Events to earn titles on their dogs in AKC Conformation (AKC events to show how the dog is measured to how closely they confirm to the standard of their breed). AKC Companion Events (Obedience, Rally, Tracking, Agility and AKC Performance Events (Field, Hunting, Herding, Earth Dog, and Coursing (Lure Coursing and Fast Cat), and Scent Work.
Instructors of our classes are members who volunteer their time and are actively showing their dogs at American Kennel Events. They maintain and improve their knowledge of training and canine behavior by attending seminars presented by knowledgeable and respected people in the field of dogs.
The Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc. is fortunate to have several of our members who have been approved by the American Kennel Club to judge AKC events for Obedience, Rally, and Hunt Tests.
The American Kennel Club has granted approval for several of our instructors as Evaluators for AKC Family Dog certification/titles such as: Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Kindergarten Puppy (Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsible dog owner (S.T.A.R. Puppy) (AKC Temperament Testing (ATT) Fetch, and Fit Dog certificates and titles.
The Anderson Obedience Training Club, Inc. stresses the importance of Responsible Dog Ownership. Many of our members are active in the community visiting with their dogs at hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and libraries to demonstrate and give talks on the importance of obedience training for all dogs.
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