About the Club

Our goal is to promote the training of dogs; disseminate knowledge regarding obedience training and training in other performance events such as agility and tracking; conduct classes for the training of dogs and their handlers; encourage the training of judges; hold and support obedience trials, agility trials, and tracking tests under the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club; and to promote cooperation and good sportsmanship among members in the training and exhibiting of dogs.

Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club, Inc. (RGODC) was founded by Mrs. W.H. Bowen in 1949. Our 1st trial was held on 11/11/51 at the El Paso County Coliseum. The Bowen founder's trophy, awarded to the highest-scoring local dog in the regular classes at club obedience trials, was named for Mrs. W.H. Bowen. Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club, Inc. has been involved in community service; their CDX dogs used to collect money for the March of Dimes at the El Paso International Airport. In 1956, the club donated the cost of a Guide Dog to the Guide Dog for the Blind, Inc. In 1962, the clubhouse was purchased at its present location, 175 Barker Rd.

Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club, Inc. has held obedience trials continuously (except for 1962) and is also licensed for tracking tests, agility trials, and, more recently, rally trials. Today, Rio Grande Obedience Dog Club, Inc. is an AKC member club, and we hold 2 obedience & rally trials and at least 2 agility trials every year.