Obedience Classes

 
Basic Training

Basic Training

Basic Training is the start of a well-trained dog. Using the clicker-training method, basic commands like “sit,” “come” and “down” are taught, in addition to skill development in loose leash walking, release, impulse control, come, going to a mat or place, body handling, and handler focus. This class may be repeated to build the dog’s skills before moving on to more advanced classes. The mark and reward style of training will be used. Clickers are encouraged but not mandatory.

Options based on your dog’s age:

  • Dogs 12 weeks and older can take Basic Training.
  • Dogs between 12 weeks and 10 months at the start of class may enroll in Puppy Basic Training class.
  • If your dog is under 12 weeks old, we recommend you start with our Puppy Socialization or Tweeners classes.

Litter mates and housemates: If you have litter mates or dogs that have bonded, we strongly recommend that you enroll them in separate classes and train them separately. They tend to be highly distracting to each other when they are in the same class.

Handlers must be at least 12 years of age and have attended one of our Skills Evaluations before the start of class if less than 16 years of age. Please read our policy on children in class for more information.

Class Options: Currently classes are in person at our club.  The virtual classes are temporarily on hold.
Session length: 6 classes and a mandatory orientation video to view at home before class starts.
Prerequisite: None
Fee: $125.00
Read about vaccinations here.

Membership is required to take classes at TCOTC. Membership fees are $35 ($25 for students 16 and older). If you are a new member, you will be prompted to choose a membership level upon enrolling for Basic Training.
Be sure to check our policies for children in class and allowed training equipment.

Please note: You will be sent a link for the video orientation and a questionnaire that describes your dog and your goals for training. You must complete the accompanying questionnaire and return it no later than 3 days before the class begins. Failure to return the questionnaire will result in you and your dog being rescheduled to a future class.

Tier 2: Continuing Obedience Education

Graduates of Basic Training or Puppy Basic Training may register for Tier 2 classes. Students new to TCOTC who wish to sign up for any obedience class listed below can complete a Skills Self Assessment to be placed in the appropriate class.

Oh So Adolescent!

Oh So Adolescent!

Learn skills to deal with those adolescent behaviors that can drive you crazy.

 
Household Manners

Household Manners

For those that want great manners in their home. Dogs learn impulse control, body handling, how to greet people politely at the door and more.
 
Public Manners

Public Manners

This class will help your dog develop skills to behave politely in the wider human world. In addition to Basic Training, dogs will learn to look at you when faced with distractions, off-leash attention, and to walk by other dogs while on leash.
 
Reliable Recall

Reliable Recall

Build focus skills and teach your dog to retreat from distractions, like human food and other dogs.
 
Tricks 1

Tricks

This class will help you teach your dog tricks that are useful at home and in public, such as sitting between your feet, putting toys in a box, waving a paw, balancing treats and more. The class offers an opportunity to take an AKC Trick Dog title, and can be repeated to earn more advanced titles.

 
Dog Obedience

Beyond Basic

Continue building the skills and behaviors taught in Basic Training.  Further work on loose leash walking, strengthening stays and recalls.  Reinforce mat training and impulse control.  This class is a great next step towards a polite, well-behaved dog!
 
Loose Leash Walking

Loose Leash Walking

Teach your dog the art of walking (well) on a leash!
 
Brain Games

Brain Games

Have fun teaching your dog to think and solve puzzles.

 
Pug and owner in cafe

K9 Companion

There is nothing more rewarding than having a well-behaved companion at your side.  Help your dog learn the skills needed to be a partner in your life.

Impulse Control

Impulse Control

For dogs that lack self-control. This class is designed for dogs that immediately go after things they want! Teach your dog to leave and ignore distractions, as well as controlled play and more.

Sports Sampler

Sports Sampler

A six-week introduction to three different sports: Flyball, Agility and Nose Work.

 
Sports Sampler

Competition Bedrock

If you are on a path to competing someday in ANY of the dog sports: Agility, Rally-O, Flyball, Obedience, Freestyle or even a combination of these, this is the place to start!

Bedrock Button

Nose Work 1

Scent Work

The sport of scent work involves searching for Q-tips scented with essential oils (birch, anise, clove & others), but Step 1 of Scent work is to create a dog who loves to search!  The goal of Scen work 1 is to 1) create a Startline Routine for dog and handler 2) a dog that searches confidently for food in different environments!  Scent work 2 will introduce odor.

Canine Good Citizen

Canine Good Citizen

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

 
Canine Good Citizen

Game Room

Use games and play to reinforce skills learned in Basic or Puppy Basic Training. Play games like Hopscotch, Llife!, Red Light/Green Light, and Tennis, all while practicing those essential skills. Play as teams with other handlers and dogs, or individually.

Tier 3: Sports, Skills, and Competition

Students new to TCOTC who wish to sign up for any obedience class listed below are required to undergo a skill evaluation.

Bye Bye Cookie

Bye Bye Cookie!

Whether you’re competing or living with a family pet, you eventually want your dog to respond to cues without always anticipating a cookie. This class starts the transition away from relying on rewards to get the desired behavior from your dog.
 
Bye Bye Cookie

Game On!

Make practicing skills like stay, recall, loose leash walking, go to your mat, sit and down fun by using games. Games such as tic tac toe, red rover, relay race, Life!, or walking letters are chosen by the instructor with rules adapted to the level of dogs in the class.

Rally Competition

Ring Confidence

If you’re thinking about Obedience competition or are already competing, this class helps dogs and handlers work on increased confidence and/or focus. This class is geared toward obedience and rally work, but is applicable for agility as well.
 
Advanced Obedience

Advanced Obedience

Learn the beginning steps to competitive obedience. Introduction to the skills of heeling, finishes, retrieve, jumping, stand, and formal recalls to front.
 
Rally Competition

Introduction to Competition

Competition obedience is a dance that requires coordination between the handler and dog. Fluid coordination requires attention, communication, and skills from both the human and the canine.  Begin learning that dance in Introduction to Competition.

Obedience Competition

Obedience Competition

Work on building, refining, and generalizing skills from Beginner Novice to Utility. The classes are customized to the needs of the students with individual attention from the instructor.
 
Beginning Rally

Rally Skills

This class is the first step for you and your dog learning the skills and understanding the signs in Rally-O. Fundamental skills necessary for completing the signs are taught.

Beginning Rally

Beginning/Intermediate Rally

Beginning/Intermediate Rally classes offer both the dogs and handlers a fun and energizing experience. A rally course includes 10 ̶ 20 stations, depending on the level. The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that are trained to behave at home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs.
Rally Advanced

Rally Advanced

Refine skills in executing signs and completing Novice level Rally courses.
 
Rally Competition

Rally Competition

Rally Competition courses are designed to help dogs and their handlers refine and polish rally course skills for participation in AKC, UKC, or ASCA Rally-O competition.
Obedience Competition

Camera Ready-Green Room

Refine the skills necessary for your dog to participate in commercials, ads or movies. 

Rally Competition

Gundog Training Workshops

positive methods to begin the training for your gun dog to be a working partner in the field.