German Shepherd Dog Club Of Victoria – Eastern Branch is a local organisation that has been serving the Maroondah and Knox Community since 1977. They offer a wide range of training activities for dog owners and their German Shepherds.
For owners with puppies as young as 8 weeks old, Eastern has a dedicated Puppy class designed to give them the best possible start in their life together. This class focuses on socialisation with people and other dogs, as well as important skills like coming when called and walking on lead. Once puppies reach six months old, they automatically graduate to Class 1.
Classes 1-4 cover all aspects of obedience at an increasing level, with a strong emphasis on socialisation, play, and gaining control of your dog. The instructors at Eastern are experts in understanding dogs and the signals they portray. They even award certificates at each level to acknowledge the progress made by their members.
For those interested in competitive obedience, Eastern offers training for Competitive Obedience and Rally Obedience. They also provide a competitive ring during class for members to practice and refine their skills. If you're considering showing your German Shepherds, they have Show class held on Sunday mornings, with specialised instructors to provide advice and teach ring craft.
In addition to training classes, Eastern offers further activities such as Tracking Classes, which take place in the cooler season and early Sunday mornings. These classes help expand the German Shepherds' natural ability to track through their fantastic sense of smell. Agility training is also included in normal class activity, with equipment used under strict supervision.
Eastern loves promoting dog social activities, including planned walks as part of the training process, to enhance the skills learned at the branch. Well-socialized dogs are required for these activities.
But it's not just about training and activities at Eastern. They're known for their social events as well! Fancy dress Murder nights, Winery lunches, Trivia nights, Dinners, Games Days, and Christmas Awards Nights are just some fun events they organise. They also conduct informative talks and lectures throughout the year, featuring guest speakers in the evenings during the week or after classes on Sundays.
Eastern Branch is proud to support various special events throughout the year, such as The Royal Children’s Good Friday Appeal and the McGrath Foundation. They also participate in the GSDCV Fun Day's where all branches of the GSDCV come together to compete in classes and games.
To support their operations and provide benefits to their members, Eastern conducts various fundraising activities. You can be a part of these activities by participating in raffles, visiting their canteen and equipment stalls, enjoying sausage sizzles, attending lectures, and joining social nights. They always welcome volunteers to get involved and give back to the club.
So if you're a German Shepherd owner looking for a fantastic club to get involved with, look no further than German Shepherd Dog Club Of Victoria – Eastern Branch. They have been a pillar of the community for over 40 years and continue to provide outstanding training, activities, social events, and opportunities to give back. Join today and experience the joys of being a part of the Eastern family.
