Little Rock Dog Training Club

10/17/2026

Registration Is Officially OPEN!

Registration for Session 2 is now open to everyone! Classes run November 8 – January 2.

Check out the schedule and find a class for you and your dog!

🔗 Register here: https://www.littlerockdogtrainingclub.com/book-online

10/14/2026

The Session 2 Schedule Is Here! 🐾

The schedule for Session 2 is now available! Classes will run November 8 – January 2.

📅 General registration opens October 17.

Please note that the registration page will remain locked until October 17 for member registration. It will open on the 17th for general registration.

Take a look at the new schedule and start planning your next training schedule!

10/12/2026

Our Sunday Scent Work class took their training on the road again! A big thank-you to Sara Kirk and Petey Kirk for opening their businesses, Logowear Embroidery and Banana Graphics, to our dogs for a special training day.

The teams searched the kitchen, embroidery room, and outdoor areas, putting their skills to the test in new environments. The dogs did an amazing job adapting to unfamiliar spaces and working through new challenges!

Thank you, Sara and Petey, for giving our Sunday Scent Work teams this opportunity to learn and grow! 🐶

10/11/2026

Many of our LRDTC members and competitors will remember longtime member Don Murphree! We wanted to share this recent photo of Don with his daughter, Tiffany.

Don is currently at The Crossing at Riverside in Searcy, Arkansas, and would enjoy visitors. If you have a friendly, well-mannered dog who could come along for a visit, that would be wonderful, too!

If you’re interested in visiting Don or have questions, please reach out to Sheila Paulson for more information.

10/10/2026

Now that the weather is cooling down, it’s the perfect time to make your dog’s walks a little more interesting!

A walk doesn’t always have to be about getting from Point A to Point B. Try mixing things up with your dog:

🐾 Let them sniff. Give your dog some time to investigate all those interesting fall smells. Sniffing is great mental enrichment!

🌳 Change your route. Even a different street or neighborhood can give your dog a whole new set of sights, sounds, and smells to explore.

🎯 Practice a few skills. Work on check-ins, loose-leash walking, sits, stays, or recalls during your walk.

🍂 Use the environment. Practice walking past distractions, stopping at curbs, going around obstacles, or simply asking your dog to focus on you when something interesting catches their attention.

🔎 Play “find it.” Toss a few treats into the grass and let your dog sniff them out. Just make sure the area is safe first!

🐕 Let your dog be a dog. Not every walk needs to be a training session. Sometimes the best thing you can do is slow down and let your dog explore.

10/09/2026

We all have that one dog.

The dog who was there during an important chapter of your life. The one who taught you something, made you laugh, got you through a hard time, or simply had a way of making every day better.

❤️ What dog from your life do you still think about the most?

Tell us their name and what made them so special to you. We'd love to hear about the dogs who left a lasting paw print on our hearts.

10/07/2026

Heading to Your First AKC Dog Trial? Here Are Some Tips!

🗓️ Know the schedule. Check your class/run time, check-in information, and anything you need to do when you arrive. Give yourself plenty of time—you don't want to be rushing in the door!

🎒 Pack more than you think you'll need. Bring water and a bowl, your dog's leash/collar, p**p bags, crate or mat, and anything else your dog normally uses to settle. Don't forget paperwork if the event requires it.

🐕 Give your dog a chance to settle. A trial environment is different from class. There may be unfamiliar dogs, noises, people, and lots of activity. Let your dog take it all in before you ask for too much.

👀 Watch before you compete. If you can, watch a few teams go before your turn. It can help you understand how things flow and give you a better idea of what to expect.

🧘 Don't try to teach something new on trial day. Trust the training you've already done. Your goal is to give your dog a good experience!

⏰ Keep an eye on the time. Listen for announcements and know where you need to be. It's your responsibility to be ready when your turn comes up.

❤️ Have fun! Your first trial is about gaining experience, learning how your dog handles the environment, and celebrating how far you've come. One mistake doesn't define your run.

And remember: your dog doesn't know it's a trial. They just know they're spending the day with you. Keep it positive, take a breath, and enjoy the experience!

🐾 What advice would you give someone entering their very first trial?

10/01/2026

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Our dogs may not understand the words "cancer" or "treatment," but they have a pretty amazing way of knowing when we need a little extra comfort.

They sit beside us when we're having a hard day. They keep us company when we're stuck at home. They make us get up, take a walk, and stick to a routine. And sometimes, just having a dog curled up next to you is enough to make a difficult day feel a little easier.

How has your dog ever helped you through a difficult time?

09/30/2026

ENTRIES ARE OPEN!

Ready to get your dog sniffing? Entries are now open for the LRDTC Fall Scent Work Trial, November 13–15 at Lake Nixon in Little Rock!

🔎 Novice through Master
🔎 All Elements Detective
📅 November 13–15, 2026
📍 Lake Nixon Day Camp
💰 $23 per regular class | $45 Detective

We’ve got three great judges joining us: Ellen Heavner, Brian Peterson, and Christi Baron-Kirby.

Entries close November 6 at 6:00 p.m. CST, or when the trial limits are reached. Don’t wait to get your entry in!

Check out the premium for all the details and entry information: https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/eventplans/eventsearch/blocks/dsp_generate_pdf.cfm?KEY_BINARY_CONTENT=105880

09/26/2026

This looks so fascinating! Thought some people might be interested in checking this out!

Join us for a special weekend on October 3-4 with Dr. Karen DeMatteo, conservation biologist, detection dog trainer and co-director of Proyecto Zorro Pitoco, and meet her conservation detection dog, DJ!

Bush dogs have a special connection to the Little Rock Zoo! The Zoo has cared for bush dogs since the 1980s and has welcomed many pups over the years—including the seven pups currently on exhibit with their parents in the Bear Area. The Zoo has also supported Dr. DeMatteo’s conservation work since 2016.

We’re excited to welcome Dr. DeMatteo and DJ to the Zoo for a weekend of special talks and demonstrations where guests can learn more about wild bush dogs, conservation detection dogs and the work being done to protect carnivores in Argentina!

For more details, visit https://www.littlerockzoo.com/zoo-blog/blog-posts/2025/11/bush-dog-conservation-spotlight/