Welcome to pocdogs.org

Piscataqua Obedience . . .
Affordable, Experienced, Positive Training for You and Your Dog
Serving the Seacoast Area of Maine and New Hampshire



Chesapeake "Banjo" (Seapoint Survivor CGC) greets a marine home from Iraq at Pease AFB, Portsmouth.
Banjo is one of the many Canine Good Citizen dogs trained in our classes.

Meet our trainers
Our trainers have years of experience working with dogs and their owners in the Seacoast area, and they are endorsed by national dog obedience organizations.

Association of Pet Dog Trainers - Dog Training Professionals 

FYI
How To Choose A Dog Trainer

Want to try Flyball?
Classes taught by Maine Coast Runners,
at Ellis Dog Training, Dover, NH.
FMI contact Shirley Rand, (207) 646-3472,
e-mail srand@maine.rr.com.

Gallery of POC Dogs
POC members share photos of their dogs in competition,
in classes, and just having fun.

Are you interested in doing therapy with your dog?
Our June Fun Match will feature TDI (Therapy Dog International) testing and certification. Information and directions to the Match will be posted here soon.

Class Schedule       Training Application
Directions to Classes

Reasonable rates:
$90-$100 for a 6-week session.

Do you have a new puppy or dog? Want to train your family dog to be a great family member? We can help you bring out the best in your dog! Word of mouth is our best advertisement, and we regularly receive referrals from local veterinarians.

Piscataqua Obedience is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with their pet dogs. We offer dog training classes at all levels, including Canine Good Citizen, Rally Obedience, and Flyball. Our trainers use positive reinforcement and motivational techniques to bring out the best in your dog. Classes meet in Kittery and York, ME, and Dover, NH.

Here's what our students say about our classes...


Our next session starts March 1 & 3, 2010.
Click here for class schedule.


To sign up for classes in Kittery or York, call (207) 363-2574, or e-mail Sue Walsh; for Dover classes, call Diane Ellis Manocchia, Ellis Dog Training, (603) 749-2275.

Or, download and mail a course application form.
(Be sure to also call to reserve your spot.)

Note: this form is in PDF format. To view and print it, you'll need Acrobat Reader, version 3.0 or higher,
available for free from Adobe Systems.


dumbbell bullet Outstanding instruction

Our trainers use motivational techniques emphasizing humane, kind treatment. All have won obedience titles with either the American Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club, or the Canadian Kennel Club, as well as Flyball and Agility titles. Training Director Diane Ellis Manocchia, Sue Walsh, and Mary Peterson are endorsed by the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, Inc. (NADOI). Staci Stanley is endorsed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). Mary Peterson is a member of APDT also.

All POC instructors complete an extensive apprenticeship program and attend yearly seminars in dog training, behavior, and care. Several instructors and club members are AKC-endorsed Canine Good Citizen evaluators.

dumbbell bulletClass Schedules

Each class meets one evening a week for one hour on Monday or Wednesday. Class sizes are limited. Please preregister and bring proof of current vaccination records to the first class. To register or for more information, call (207) 363-2574 (York), or (603) 749-2275 (Dover).

dumbbell bulletAnnual Events

We host special events annually, including Show & Go events, an Eye Clinic, Tracking Clinics, a June Fun Match, a York Days (August) demonstration, and a spring Flyball Tournament.

dumbbell bulletActivities

POC dog club members bring their dogs to nursing homes and to elementary or secondary schools for visits and demonstrations. We also do other demonstrations that may include drill team obedience work, flyball, scent hurdles, agility, and games. Club members work with their dogs in AKC obedience, tracking, carting, herding, hunting, and other activities.

dumbbell bulletTattoo Service

Your social security (or other) number tattooed quickly and easily on your dog gives permanent identification and protection for life. A stolen animal with a tattoo cannot be used for labratory experimentation! POC offers tattooing by experienced personnel at scheduled times during our class sessions. Positive I.D. required for both owner and dog; cost is $10.00/dog. For clinic schedule, call (603) 868-7263.

dumbbell bulletFor More Information

Diane Ellis Manocchia, Training Director and Dover Registrar, (603) 749-2275, Sue Walsh, Instructor and York and Kittery Registrar, (207) 363-2574, Mary Peterson, Instructor and Webmaster, (207) 439-1640.

dumbbell bulletOfficers

President: Sue Walsh
Vice President: Linda McKinnon
Secretary: Sarah Todd
Treasurer: Mary Peterson
Training Director: Diane Ellis Manocchia
Board of Directors: Shirley Rand, Dale Wilde, Cheryn Breeling, Sandra McCleary
Telegram Newsletter: Sarah Todd
Hospitality: Pat Howard
Webmaster: Mary Peterson

If you would like to join POC, download Application for Membership.


    Dumbbell graphic by Mary Jo Sminkey. May not be reproduced without permission.