About Bay De Noc Kennel Club

What it is

A member club in the Upper Peninsula running classes, clinics and trials, described in its own strapline as "Dog training and performance."

Classes

Obedience runs on a set weekly slot: "BASIC OBEDIENCE CLASSES – Classes are scheduled for Thursday evenings 6:30 – 7:30 pm for six weeks. Sign up soon, as these classes fill quickly. Instructor: Sue Parker." Then "Intermediate Obedience/CGC Preparation: Classes are scheduled for Thursday evenings from 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m." Puppy work is run as "Puppy Pre-School (S.T.A.R. Puppy)," with "Lead: Sue Parker, Assistant: Jill Connolly." Rally is offered at two levels, including a four-hour clinic: "Rally Excellent off leash work with Advanced and Excellent level signs. Keys to performing the signs correctly as well as handling techniques. Actual trial experience including videotaping if time permits." Both rally classes take "8 dog/handler teams." An "INTRO TO COMPETITION Obedience Class" is listed as "Accepting 4 teams."

Agility, in a sequence

The agility program is built as a ladder, and the club says so. "FOUNDATIONS SERIES CLASSES are three sets of four week classes that help build skills for your future agility dog." Foundation One "introduces you dog to the skills you will need for obstacles, drive, focus, and clarity"; Two "Builds on the skills learned in Foundations One. We use various types of jumps, contacts, and tunnels"; Three continues to "Focus on Contact skills (Dogwalk, Teeter, and A-frame). Introduction to WEAVES." Classes are tiny: "These classes fill quickly, we only take about 4-5 teams so sign up today!" Beyond Foundations runs in summer, "Tuesday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 pm," with courses of "12-16 obstacles including at least 1 contact, various jumps and tunnels."

Clinic pricing, member and non-member

Published side by side: "Two Hour Clinics: Non Members – $25; Members – $20 per dog. Four Hour Clinics: Non Members – $50; Members – $40 per dog." Clinics are "limited to 6 people, limit 2 dogs per person," and require "Recall, Stay, Basic Agility Foundation Skills, and Familiarity of obstacles used in agility." Agility Games are "$20 per dog" for non-members and "$15 per dog" for members. Conformation clinics run "Non Members $20 per dog, Members $10 per dog."

Games nights

An indoor winter fixture: "Games are held in our Training Building during the Winter months. Games are designed so everyone from Beginning to Advanced can enjoy them… This is a great way to get your dog out in a fun atmosphere that resembles a small trial but is just for the joy of the game."

Trials it hosts

The 2026 calendar lists a "CPE Speedway Trial – Sat, April 25, 2026," a "UKC Agility Trial – Fri, Sat, Sun, July 17-19 2026," a second "CPE Speedway Trial – Fri, August 7, 2026" and a "CPE Agility Trial – Sat, Sun, Mon, August 8-10, 2026," each with a named chairperson and secretary. There is also a cross-border event, the "CAN AM Challenge Cup," run "in conjunction with the CPE trials hosted by: Bay De Noc Kennel Club… in the USA" and "Bark Avenue Remarkable K9s… in Canada," where "Teams must be entered in all four Can/Am classes at both trials to be eligible to receive Can/Am awards."

Rules for class

Set out before sign-up. "All dogs must have a current rabies certificate presented the first night of class." "Children must over the age of 12 in order to handle a dog in class and must be accompanied by an adult." "No harnesses are allowed in beginner's class. Flat collars are allowed if the dog does not pull and can remain in control during class." And a stated limit on what the club takes: "Dogs must be able to handle a class situation. If you have a dog that shows aggression to people and other dogs we will refer you to an animal behaviorist."

The instructors

Members with competition records. One writes: "I have been involved in organized dog sports for over 20 years and have had the extreme pleasure of being a team with German Shepherd Dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Australian Shepherds and mixed breed dogs. I have titled dogs in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Conformation, Drafting, and Agility. However, agility is my greatest passion… Competing has led me to earn MACHs (Master Agility Championships) on two dogs." Her point about teaching: "As fun as competing is, it is teaching agility that is my true love!" Sue Parker is described as "an AKC STAR Puppy, Trick Dog, and CGC evaluator" who "loves helping people have fun while training their dogs!"

For visitors

The club maintains a list of pet-friendly hotels and campgrounds "in our area," rates noted "as of 12/2025."

Before you book

The club's visitor listings point to the Escanaba/Gladstone area; ask where classes and the training building are.