South Side All Breed Dog Training Club

About the group:

Established in 1943.

Members hail from Indiana and Illinois.

Meets at Calumet Park Fieldhouse in Chicago.

Internet site: www.southsidedogs.org

Nonprofit organization.

Mission: We train people to train their dogs.

Special events: South Side All Breed Dog Training Club conducts weekly training sessions. Puppy class meets 10 weeks for 30 minutes a session for socialization, manners, introduction to obedience and play time; all other classes meet for 60 minutes. Beginner classes focus on the basics: heel, sit, down, stay, attention and come when called; intermediate/advanced class perfects commands and moves on to over-jumps, retrieves and more; rally has dogs and owners following signs to the next obedience step; and confirmation mentors owners to being a responsible show dog owner. Members must complete the beginner class and own a pure bred dog; booster membership is for owners of mixed breeds. The club recently cancelled the third annual Responsible Dog Ownership Day at Wolf Lake Park due to excessive rain. South Side All Breed Dog Training Club will hold the 63rd Annual Obedience and Third Annual Rally Trial on Saturday at Pawsitively Heaven, 101st and Kitty Ave. in Chicago Ridge. Volunteers

are needed.

Advice: "Dogs have to be taught our language," said Rosemary Hurley, director of training for the club. "We have to understand each other for them to understand what we want from them. Go to professionals and you'll learn a lot."

How to get involved: More information and contact links are available at www.southsidedogs.org

People might be surprised to know: "South Side All Breed Dog Training Club held the largest obedience training in the 1970s," Hurley said.

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate an organization for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com