FIFTY YEARS ago, a small group of people got together t train their dogs. From that small group of keen people, eager to have well behaved dogs, Central Essex Dog Training Society was born.

They used to meet in a small hall at Marks Tey, near Colchester, later moving to Copford. In 1953 they became registered with the Kennel Club, and having moved again, this time to Stanway Village Hall, have met every Wednesday ever since to help teach the skills of responsible dog ownership.

Ringcraft handling has been successful with many handlers and their dogs qualifying for Crufts. Obedience training take up most of the evening with a range of classes for complete beginners and first-time dog owners right up to more advanced levels. Any size, any breed of dog is welcome, pedigree or non-pedigree – it doesn’t matter.

Over the years, the club has seen many changes of committee and instructors, but always securing a dedicated team of people helping handlers to enjoy their dogs. We have a very good rapport with many of the local vets who often recommend their clients to us.

Central Essex Dog Training Society has a good social side, too, with activities such as quiz nights, dog charity walks, even a dog Christmas party where the dogs are the main guests and play party games all evenings! All profits from our social events are put into a charity fund, and each year are distributed between several local animal rescues, along with food hampers donated by our members.

Over the years, CEDTS have put on several very successful open shows, obedience demonstrations at local fetes, and Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog scheme tests. Quite a few of our handlers have gone on to become Kennel Club judges.

Fifty years of dog training is a great achievement. To celebrate their jubilee, various events have been planned – from a doggy sports day, several social evenings, a quiz night, and matches with other local clubs. Fifty years on and the club is as strong as ever as they look forward to many more happy years of training.

How many dogs have passed through the club doors over the past fifty years? Difficult to be exact, but if the training they received has helped to make dogs more acceptable in society, then the efforts of the club have been worthwhile.

Here’s to the next fifty years!
Ann Elliot, vice-chairman