Training Classes

TCOTC offers a variety of training opportunities for dogs and their owners, providing instruction from beginner to advanced levels. TCOTC instructors have many years of experience educating dogs and their owners in basic obedience and beyond. TCOTC utilizes positive reinforcement training methods. While other schools may embrace positive methods for agility, we do not allow the use of choke, pinch or shock collars.

Puppy Classes

We know puppies aren’t always easy. TCOTC offers a variety of puppy classes designed to help you raise a well-behaved dog. Address common problems like chewing and barking, work on basic house manners like loose-leash walking and coming when called, or learn to teach more skilled behavior, like retrieval and tricks.

Obedience Classes

Obedience classes teach basic commands like “sit,” “come” and “down,” and include skill work in loose-leash walking, impulse control, tricks, body handling and handler focus. More advanced obedience classes provide an introduction to competitive obedience and teach skills such as heeling, finishes, retrieve, jumping and more.

Agility Classes

Dog agility is a popular canine sport in which a handler directs a dog through a variety of obstacles such as a tunnel, teeter-totter, tire jump, weave poles, pause table, and standard jumps. During competitive agility events, handlers attempt to navigate dogs through a course as quickly and as accurately as they can.

Therapy Dog Classes

A therapy animal provides affection and comfort to members of the public, typically in facility settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living, hospice, shelters, schools, libraries, and physical therapy centers. Therapy animals are not the same as service dogs or emotional support animals.

Flyball Classes

Flyball is a relay race in which two teams compete against each other. A flyball team consists of four main dogs and their handlers, a boxloader, and one or two alternate dogs and handlers. A dog from each team races over a series of four hurdles, steps on a flyball box, catches a tennis ball that flies out of the box, and returns with the ball over the hurdles and across the start/finish line. The race is won by the first team to have all four dogs successfully complete their runs.

Behavior Classes

Is your dog easily distracted, unable to work off lead around other dogs or unable to control impulses when excited?
The Changing Attitudes program is designed for dogs that participate in dog sports activities and pet dogs that need help developing focus and confidence. You will learn techniques to help your dog relax, to ignore exciting things in the environment, learn to focus on you, and to develop a strong relationship between you and your dog.

Camera Ready: Dog Modeling/Acting Classes

Refine the skills necessary for your dog to participate in commercials, ads, or movies. Skills expanded include impulse control, retrieving, human interaction, stays, tricks, and attention walking. Includes a human-only session on things to know and expect before going for a casting call or before your dog is hired. Also included is a session with a professional photographer who will set you up with photos to start your portfolio.

Gundog Classes

This specialized, 5- to 6-week workshop teaches positive methods to begin the training for your gun dog to be a working partner in the field. Skills developed include:

  • Impulse Control
  • Retrieve to Hand
  • Directional Casting
  • Whistle Signals
  • Handler Focus

This workshop is appropriate for all types of gun dogs: spaniels, pointers, and retrievers.

Tracking Classes

Tracking is a technique in which dogs are trained to locate certain objects by using the object’s scent. This vigorous outdoor activity is great for canine athletes, and one in which handlers take the back seat, letting their dog do what comes naturally to them.

Freestyle Classes

Canine Freestyle combines obedience skills, tricks and dance to create unique routines performed to music. Freestyle is fun, keeps your dog fit and is a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

Conformation Classes

Do you exhibit your dog at “dog shows” to be evaluated against an established breed standard? These classes could be for you. Beginners learn about ring procedures and veterans fine-tune their stacking, gaiting, and motivating skills.

Dogs and Storks

Prepare for your baby’s arrival, specifically with your dog(s) in mind. Attend this parent education program and find out what you might expect from your furry family members, and how to to ease the transition for them.