Sarasota Obedience Training Club

Online registration and payment is required a minimum of ONE WEEK before the class start date. No registration on the first night of class is allowed. If you have any questions about upcoming classes, class content and/or seminars, please contact SOTC Obedience Training Director June Plank at [email protected].

*Please note that there is a $25 charge for canceling your class registration. When we hold a spot for you in class, we incur the cost of teaching the class as well as administrative costs. Thank you for understanding.

Beginners Level 1
Class Fee $110*
For dogs 5 months or older
Classes are 50-60 minutes long and meet once a week for 6 weeks

Also known as “companion” dog obedience, in this class handlers will learn to train their dogs using basic cues in a group situation. Dogs are trained using a buckle collar, martingale collar or properly fitted head halter and a four-six foot lead. This class uses only positive training methods and positive reinforcement (no correction or punishment) and will include many training tips. You will attend WITH your dog all 6 class sessions. Basic behaviors taught include attention, sit, down, come, heel position, wait, sit for petting, loose leash walking, stand, take it, leave it, stay, distraction work and more.

Wednesday, April 9 to May 28 (skip 4/16, 5/14), 4:30 PM, Christina Apostolakos 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Tuesday, April 29 to June 3, 1:30 PM, Leah Kahn
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Wednesday, June 4 to July 9, 5:45 PM, Christina Apostolakos 
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Beginners Level 3  Class
Class Fee $110*
Classes are 50-60 minutes long and meet once a week for 6 weeks.

This class will focus on proofing behaviors that were introduced throughout previous puppy and obedience classes. There will be high levels of distractions, while building a solid “place” and/or “stay” command. Additionally, off-leash heeling skills and distance commands will be taught. This class is geared toward creating a bond between handler and dog for a “perfect“ pet dog for outings and social events. Obedience 1 and 2 are prerequisites and a CGC certification is preferred. The dog must be at least 12 months old. Instructor evaluation is available to determine eligibility of this advanced obedience class.

Thursday, April 10 to May 22 (Skip 4/17), 9 AM, Leah Kahn
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Thursday, May 29 to July 3, 9 AM, Leah Kahn
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Competition Obedience “Fundamentals”
Class Fee $110*
Classes are 55 minutes long and meet once a week for 6 weeks

This new and exciting class will teach you and your dog to engage as a team working together while creating a strong bond. You’ll learn how to engage your dog’s full attention through training that is fun! A few techniques that you will learn include marker training, conditional reinforcement training, luring, engagement and motivation. Dogs should be at least one year old, with previous basic training. Maximum class size is 6 students.

Start Date TBD

Novice/Open Competition Class
Class Fee $110*
Classes are 55 minutes long and meet once a week for 6 weeks

If you’re getting ready for competition, this is the class for you! AKC Rules and regulations will be emphasized for the new competitor. Novice (CD) exercises will fine-tuned. Open exercises will be introduced – please bring a dumbbell. Students will need to have a plastic/wood dumbbell for class. Teams should have at least one novice (CD) leg and dogs should be holding/retrieving dumbbell. Maximum class size is 6 students. Minimum class size is 4.

If you have any questions regarding prerequisites for this class, please email Jean Smith at [email protected].

Monday, May 12 to June 23 (skip 5/26), 7 PM, Jean Smith
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Monday, May 12 to June 23 (skip 5/26), 8 PM, Jean Smith
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Novice Competition Class
Class Fee $110*
Classes are 1 hour long and meet once a week for 6 weeks

If you’re getting ready for competition, this is the class for you! AKC Rules and regulations will be emphasized for the new competitor. Novice (CD) exercises will be taught and fine-tuned. Teams should have their beginner novice (BN) title. Maximum class size is 6 students. Minimum class size is 4 students.

Tuesday, April 15 to May 20, 9 AM, Jean Stack
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Open Competition Class
Class Fee $110*
Classes are 1 hour long and meet once a week for 6 weeks

This class is for those competitors who are just getting started and looking for introduction to the various exercises, as well as the open competitors having completed their novice title, wishing to sharpen their skills to be more competitive in this class. All students should bring either a wooden or plastic dumbbell to Class. 

Thursday, May 1 to June 5, 12:00 PM, Mary Lou Meuser
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Intro-Utility Class
Class Fee $110*
Classes are 1 hour long and meet once a week for 6 weeks

Welcome to Intro-Utility. Prerequisite: knowledge of all open exercises, CDX title not required. This class will teach directed retrieve, directed jumping, signals, go out, moving stand and scent discrimination.

Friday, May 2 to June 6, 12:00 PM, Mary Lou Meuser and June Plank
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

Utility Proofing
Class Fee $110*
Classes are 1 hour long and meet once a week for 6 weeks

This class is designed to help your canine partner develop a clearer understanding of how to perform utility exercises correctly—even in the presence of distractions. It also focuses on building confidence, improving focus and enhancing the connection between you and your dog. Ideal for teams already competing in Utility who want to refine their performance and boost their scores, as well as those preparing to enter Utility for the first time.

Friday, May 2 to June 6, 10:30 AM, Mary Lou Meuser and June Plank
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE

AKC Fetch Novice Title Class
Class Fee $110*
Classes are 1 hour long and meet once a week for 6 weeks

Basic skills taught will include fetch, retrieve and hold. Advanced level topics including direction signal to hidden article, fast accurate retrieves thru distractions, and duration stays will be introduced. Prerequisite: Beginner 1 skills 

Fetch activities will strengthen skills for attention and focus, recall,  stay with distractions, AKC open retrieve on the flat and over the high-jump and the AKC utility directed retrieve.

START DATE TBD