I have recently got a young rescue dog and have contacted a couple of Clubs (as was advised to do by my Vet) to get details and arrange to visit.  However, two people said "We are ONLY PET dog training"!   I did not want to appear a complete idiot so did not enquire what they mean't - Isn't everyone's dog a PET dog?

Does anyone understand and be good enough to explain.  Thank you

I think they mean ordinary day-to-day training rather than competition obedience. The two are very different!
:)

There are two levels of obedience training "pet"level which all dogs need & "competition"which is the next level up & people who train their dogs for competition are aiming for accuracy & precision rather than just having your dog training to walk by your side without pulling ,coming back when called, being able to be left alone without destroying the house or car etc.

Competition training leads to competing at shows in the various classes which are graduated from a simple one(pre beginner) to that which you see at Crufts in the Crufts Obedience Championships

some clubs specialise in competitive obedience.
the lower classes at both types of clubs will prob cover the same things,but at a competetive club (that may also be involved in league matches & run their own shows)the higher classes will cover the "finer" points of competition work that a pet club would not really need be bothered with!
both are good,depends what you want!!!!