Attention!
Classes will begin enrolling after April 1st when NEW applications class offerings will be posted here.
Early move-ups will be offered to students currently enrolled in Star Puppy and Level 1 Beginner Obedience FIRST
NO Aggressive or reactive dogs allowed in classes.
DOTC is welcoming Jean Owen for an Obedience and Rally seminar June 13th - 14th. Limited private lessons available.
Sign up HERE for the seminar and for more information
For questions email the DOTC Training Director Rachel Shaw
**Please note, NO aggressive or reactive dogs are allowed. Dogs displaying unsafe behaviors towards other dogs and handlers will be asked to leave. No refunds will be issued. **
About Jean Owen, Performance Coach
If you want your team to feel confident, connected, and ready to shine, Jean’s workshops make training clear, effective, and fun for both ends of the leash. Jean Owen brings decades of hands-on experience in dog training, behavior, and
performance to every workshop she leads. A nationally ranked competitor in obedience and agility since 1999, Jean has earned 4 OTCHs and 15 MACHs of her own and has
coached her students to more than 40 MACH titles (several on non-traditional breeds).
She is known for her ability to troubleshoot, fine-tune, and bring out the best in both dog and handler, combining precision, strategy, and heart. Jean has been a multi-year guest speak at the APDT conference and has traveled
nationwide helping teams polish their performance and rediscover their joy in obedience and agility. Her workshops focus on clarity, confidence, and connection, making even the
most challenging skills feel achievable and fun. Jean’s calm, intuitive teaching style blends technical skill with practical application, creating lightbulb moments for both ends
of the leash.
Her commitment to dogs goes far beyond the competition ring. While living in Lower NYC on 9/11, Jean and her therapy dogs Piper and GG volunteered daily at the WTC Family Crisis Center from September 2001 through January 2002. She also served as president and training consultant for a 400‑member off‑leash dog park in lower Manhattan for fourteen years.
Jean and her dogs have been seen on The David Letterman Show, The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, Animal Planet (multiple shows), Good Morning America, The Today
Show, Good Day NY, Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, Regis and Kathy Lee as well as many other news programs. She has also been published in over 100 dog agility related
articles. From 1980‑1983 Jean was the director of a private animal shelter in upstate NY. During that time, she honed her skills in working with fearful and difficult dogs and to
this day she attributes running that shelter to her ability to attain remarkable results in the competitive dog sports world.
To view clips of Jean working her dogs, please see the following videos:
Workshop 1. June 13th 12:00-3:00pm
Bridging the Gap Between Training and Competing
Your dog is a total rockstar in training… so why do things sometime fall apart when you step into the ring?
You’re not alone — this is one of the most common struggles in competitive obedience.
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll dig deep into why brilliant training sessions can crumble under trial pressure and, more importantly, how to fix it. You’ll learn how to build a confident, focused team that shines in
the ring — not just in practice.
We’ll cover:
• How to set your team up for success before you even enter the ring
• Small but critical details about how to enter the ring that can change the entire tone of your run
• Common handler mistakes and how to avoid them
• How to use your between-exercise time strategically to support your dog’s confidence
• Ways to handle stress in real time without accidentally adding more
• Ring games and mental warm-ups that actually work (and how to tell when they don’t)
Whether your goal is your first Novice leg or polishing your Open or Utility work, this workshop will give you the practical tools, strategies, and mindset shifts to help your team walk into the ring like you own it. Get ready to turn those “almost” runs into confident, connected, successful performances.
Workshop 2: June 14th 10:00-1:00pm
Upping Your Game and Your Score: Putting the Fun Back into Obedience and Rally!
Obedience and Rally training doesn’t have to feel stiff or stressful — it can be smooth, connected, and fun for both ends of the leash. If you’re ready to take your performance from “pretty good” to polished and powerful, this
workshop is for you. We’ll dig into the details that make the difference between a solid run and a high-scoring, crowd-pleasing performance:
• Footwork that talks to your dog — Learn how your movement can create clear communication for transitions and rock-solid halts.
• Fronts and finishes that wow — Straight, accurate, and confident every time.
• Heeling that flows — No more lagging, forging, or sloppy figure 8’s.
• Ring focus that lasts — Keep your dog engaged and connected
between exercises.
• Recalls and stands with confidence — Say goodbye to creeping,
anticipation, slow returns, or stand stress under judge pressure.
• Proofing games with a purpose — Build reliability, precision, and joy in the work.
We’ll address each of these common challenges step by step and give you practical, fun solutions that make sense to both you and your dog. If you want more points, smoother runs, and a happier partner in the ring, this workshop will give you the tools to get there.
*Please note, individual Rally signs will NOT be covered in the workshops.
