​Class Descriptions

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy ​

This class is for puppies 4 months to 10 months.  STAR Puppy provides an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. In classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate, you’ll be able to get information on all of your puppy-manners questions including the introduction of walking politely on leash, coming when called, waiting their turn, etc.  Plus effective ways to teach these practical skills to your puppy. 

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More information about the STAR Puppy Program

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Level 1 Obedience

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This class is aimed at  teaching basic skills such as sit, down, stay, come when called, on leash manners, etc. We build on these skills as dogs move from one activity to the next. The result is a dog that any owner can be proud to take into the community.

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Level 2 Obedience

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Formalizing heel position and building upon the skills introduced in Level 1. Handlers interested in moving into Rally classes and upper level obedience lasses will need to complete Level 2. 

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Level 3 Obedience

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This is a class for beginner dogs who have completed Level 1 and Level 2 obedience classes and would like to improve their skills as a handler (footwork, body position, hand position, position of the leash, etc) and to enhance their dogs engagement and motivation to work in various obedience exercises. This class will talk about preparing for competition, but the goal of competition is not necessary to take this class. This is a FUN games based class, using lots of food and toys, to build a happy and motivated working dog-handler team. 

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Rally Classes (Novice through Master)

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Rally class will help prepare you and your dog to navigate a course under control (loose leash), as you steer him through stations of 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next obedience exercise that is to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs.

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DOTC hosts three separate Rally trials each year. This is a fun activity to train your dog to compete in! 

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What is Rally?

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Beginner Novice Obedience Prep

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This class serves as a bridge between the Canine Good Citizen test and those showing in upper levels of obedience competition. It is designed for dogs and handlers new to competition, with all exercises performed on-leash except for the Recall. This is a class for dogs who want to start learning to compete at the Beginner Novice level of obedience trials. This class with introduce formal heeling, long down walk around, heeling pattern with figure 8 around cones, and sitting for exam by a judge.

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