As told by three long-time members.

Several people and trainers who were involved in Nolan Harrelson's classes in Spartanburg formed the Dog Obedience Club of Greenville in 1976.  The original name was Dog Obedience Club of Greenville/Spartanburg.  The AKC said that this was two territories and made the club split and reorganize. Hence we have the two clubs that there are today.

"He (Nolan) held classes in Spartanburg and Greenville. He was a former military person and ran his classes very much in that fashion. He was very organized in his instruction and demanded that everyone involved be attentive at all classes. It was not unusual for his students to finish a 10 or 12 week (I don't remember which) class and go out and compete and get legs right away. I was in the fall class and got my first 2 CD legs at the December trials. At the end of the classes, he would always bring the top 4 dogs from each town together for a competition and we would have a covered dish supper, etc." 

"In the beginning the dogs were trained mostly with the Koehler method, and also with Jack Godsil. In our area practically no one used food in their training. Then Max Parris came along and he gave seminars using food, and then others in the area began using food. I think on the whole, obedience training seems to be kinder to the dogs now." Bennie Page

In the early years the club was quite large and active in the community.  Our club offered obedience classes in the downtown Belk parking garage and the weekly activities were unusual.  Members in 20+ vehicles would caravan to shows and seminars together and have a great time.  As Karen Orr put it "that was before soccer games, cable TV and drive thru's". 

According to Theresa Jennings, the club had photo albums and a historian to follow the club through the years.  These books are stored with our trial equipment.

Thanks to Karen Orr, Theresa Jennings and Bennie Page for their input.

Today, our members live primarily in the greater Greenville - Spartanburg - Asheville - Anderson area, with some from as far away as Charlotte, Atlanta and Columbia.