Established 1960
Opening DatesWhen can you register? It depends on who you are and what kind of class it is. Why is this so complicated?
For SOTC members, registration opens on 5/25 (all classes) For non-member current students, registration opens on:
For non-member new students, registration opens on:
| CancellationsNo classes after 7pm on General Membership meeting nights:
No classes:
|
Need help? Have questions?Try these links first: Still having trouble? Need a permission code? | List of ClassesBasic Obedience (Puppy, Pre-Basic, Basic)Beyond Basic (Intermediate, CGC, Tricks) Flyball Conformation Rally Competition Obedience Scentwork Agility |
Only one dog per household per Puppy, Pre-Basic, or Basic class. Owners with multiple dogs must enroll them in separate classes.
Students in Puppy, Pre-Basic, and Basic must bring proof of the dog's age-appropriate vaccinations to the first class.
For puppies that will be between 12 and 20 weeks of age on the first day. The class is based on the AKC STAR program, the puppy level of the Canine Good Citizen program. To qualify for the STAR certificate, students must attend at least 6 of the scheduled class meetings. Puppies must have received at least the 2nd DAP shot by the start of class. Limit 6-8.
PREREQUISITE: None! Just follow the age and vaccination guidelines above. Students must bring proof of puppy's vaccination (2nd DAP at a minimum) to the first class.
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 8 points, non-members $104
For older puppies 5-14 months of age. Appropriate both for those who have taken our Puppy class, and for those new to our program and too old for Puppy class. Designed for the older puppy to introduce basic obedience commands while recognizing the special needs of the younger dog. Limit 6-8.
PREREQUISITE: None! Just follow the age guidelines above. Students must bring proof of vaccination (DAP and, if dog is old enough, rabies) to the first class.
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 8 points, non-members $104
For those continuing from Pre-Basic or new to obedience with an older dog (14 months of age and up). Includes walking under control on leash and development of basic obedience commands, including come, sit, down and stay. Limit 6-8.
PREREQUISITE: None! Just follow the age guidelines above. Students must bring proof of vaccination (DAP and rabies) to the first class.
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 8 points, non-members $104
Introduction to on-lead heeling, off-lead recalls, and stays; continued work on basic obedience skills. Limit 6-8.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Basic graduate or permission
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 8 points, non-members $104
Teaching you how to train your dog to be a Canine Good Citizen as defined by the AKC. At the last class meeting you will be able to take the AKC test for CGC certification. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Basic graduate or permission
MEETINGS: 4 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $36 or 4 points, non-members $52
Come learn some tricks your dog does not know! Possibilities are many, and participants are welcome to request particular tricks. Each week at least one new trick will be introduced, and we will review and advance on the prior week’s tricks. Among the tricks we can consider are: shake, high five, circle around you forward or backward, spin in front or on the side of you, go around a cone, get in a box, put front feet on a pad and stand facing you (good for lots of kinds of training), circle around a pedestal while front feet stay on the pedestal (excellent for rear end awareness and keeping butt in for heeling), roll over, play dead, get on a platform, shake, high five, jump over a bar, kiss, touch fist or target stick, bow, figure of 8 through legs, weave through your legs as you walk. Limit 5.
You will need some low-cost (or no-cost) equipment, such as a cardboard box big enough for your dog to stand in with the sides cut down low (one-quarter to one-third the dog’s leg length). It would also be useful for you to have a clicker: a small hand-held device used to mark a precise point where your dog is doing what you want. Clickers are available at pet supply stores or from chewy.com and amazon.com. Use of a clicker is not required, but the instructor highly recommends that you at least experiment with one.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Basic grad or permission. Students must have basic control of their dogs. No dog-reactive or food-aggressive dogs (there will be some throwing of treats, and some of the dogs will be moving fast).
MEETINGS: 4 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $36 or 4 points, non-members $52
We all work hard to prepare our dogs for the behaviors and challenges in the ring regardless of sport, but how do we know our dog is in the right mindset to compete? How can we prepare them to be focused and ready to go when it’s their turn? We’ll cover how to know if our dog is ready to participate and work on their focus for sports as well. This is applicable to any sport you play. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Intermediate or instructor permission.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
A continuation of the spring Beginner Flyball class.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Beginner Flyball, or permission. Handlers must have basic control of the dog. Dogs should be at least 1 year old. No people- or dog-aggression.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78Drop in class for training dog and handler for the conformation (breed) ring. If appropriate for class make-up, breed standards, conformation rules, grooming of dog and handler will be discussed.
PREREQUISITE: None! Dogs should be at least 12 weeks of age and should have received age-appropriate vaccinations.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $9 or 1 point, non-members $13 (per drop-in, pay as you go -- checks, exact change, or click HERE to pay on-line with a credit card)
TO REGISTER: To reserve a spot for a particular meeting and to confirm that class will be held, email the instructor via the link below
Rally students must crate their dogs while they walk the course. Non-members may use a guest crate, if available, or bring their own crate each time and carry it out after class.
Rally students, please also check out these cross-disciplinary classes : "Are You Ready?" (listed under Beyond Basic), "Training with Props" (under Competition Obedience), and "Parallel Games & Jump Grids for Sports" (under Agility)
Work on the Novice and Advanced signs for dogs not ready to work offlead. Limit 6-8.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Basic graduate or permission. Dogs should have had some prior obedience training and be able to walk nicely on lead. Students must crate their dogs while they walk the course.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
Courses with instruction. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: RA title or permission of instructor. Students must crate their dogs while they walk the course.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
Courses with instruction. Limit 6-8.
PREREQUISITE: RE title; or RN and CD; or permission of instructor. Students must crate their dogs while they walk the course.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 90 minutes Monday class, 60 minutes Tuesday class
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
Competition Obedience students, please also check out these cross-disciplinary classes : "Are You Ready?" (listed under Beyond Basic) and "Parallel Games & Jump Grids for Sports" (under Agility)
For those familiar with the Novice exercises but not ready for competition. This class will continue work on Novice skills, including the recent changes to the CD requirements. Limit 8-10.
PREREQUISITE: Prior Novice class, BN/PN title, or permission. Students must have Novice skills prior to sign-up.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings (6/19, 7/3, 7/17, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14), 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $45 or 6 points, non-members $78
A ring-readiness class for dog-and-handler teams ready to show in Beginner Novice or Novice.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Intermediate or instructor permission. Dogs (and handlers) should already have the skills and understanding to perform the Beginner Novice or Novice exercises.
MEETINGS: 4 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $36 or 4 points, non-members $52
An introduction to the Open exercises. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE:
MEETINGS: 6 meetings (6/19, 7/3, 7/17, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14), 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
For those who have learned all the Open exercises and want to start training for Utility. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Working knowledge of all the Open exercises
MEETINGS: 6 meetings (6/19, 7/3, 7/17, 7/31, 8/7, 8/14), 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
Want to tune up your dog’s Obedience or Rally performance and have fun doing it? The use of props can change your dog's understanding of an exercise and help you get more accurate behavior -- for example:
• Straighter fronts and finishesWe will be using platforms and targets as props. Limit 6 dogs.
PREREQUISITE: Dogs should be training at the Beginner Novice level (or higher) in obedience, or at the Novice level (or higher) in Rally; and should have an understanding of shaping (AKA clicker training).
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points
Students should email their Open or Utility problem to Steph. This is a problem-solving class, not a class designed to teach the exercises. Handlers must already understand the Open or Utility exercise they want to troubleshoot and must already have taught their dogs the exercises. Limit 6.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points
Scentwork classes are held offsite, at American High (the old A.V. Zogg Middle School), 800 4th St., Liverpool.
For those who have the basics of scentwork and need more experience with different container and interior set-ups. Limit 6-8.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Introduction to Scentwork or one leg earned at a Novice-level scentwork trial. Preference will be given to those who were enrolled in the instructor's Spring 2023 Intro to Scentwork class.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $79 (or 6pts + $25)
In this class we will be targeting fundamentals with games and hides to enhance scentwork skills. In addition to the games, there will be container, interior, exterior, and buried hides to practice. Limit 6.
PREREQUITE: This class is intended for dog/handler teams who are working at the Novice to Advanced level or beyond, and are capable of conducting a search for multiple hides. Preference will be given to those who were enrolled in the instructor's Spring 2023 class.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 75 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $79 (or 6pts + $25)
With the exception of Agility Foundations, we are unable to admit any new non-member agility students at this time.
Agility students must arrive on time so as to be available to help with equipment setup if required.
Dogs must be crated while students walk the course or move equipment. Students may use a guest crate, if available, or bring their own crate each time and carry it out after class.
Agility students, please also check out the cross-disciplinary class "Are You Ready?" (listed under Beyond Basic)
This class will cover the foundation skills required for competition agility, such as teamwork, self-control, body control, and shaping. The class is appropriate for all handlers (experienced agility competitors as well as those new to the sport) and is required for inexperienced handlers. If you have never competed in agility, you must take Foundations before enrolling in any other agility class SOTC offers. Limit 6.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
Introduction to contact equipment, jump training, practicing lead-outs, and basic handling. Building drive while maintaining focus and control. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Students who have not previously competed in agility must have taken SOTC Agility Foundations or an equivalent class elsewhere before enrolling in Beginner Agility. Dogs should be at least 8 months old. Preference given to students repeating the class at the recommendation of the instructor.
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 75 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $96 or 12 points, non-members $136
Building confidence on contact equipment, introduction of weave poles, developing dog and handler skills, beginning simple sequencing, and doing grid work. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Successfully passing SOTC Beginner Agility or run-through. Preference given to students repeating the class, or moving up from the prior class, at the recommendation of the instructor.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 9 points, non-members $102
Getting ready for the Novice ring! Developing confidence on obstacles and weaves. Starting to put things together: sequencing, handling techniques, what to do and where to do it, working through distractions. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Successfully passing SOTC Advanced Beginner Agility or run-through. Off-lead control is required. Dogs should be confident jumping at full height, going through all "hoop" obstacles, negotiating full-height contacts with mild support, doing 6 weaves with mild support, doing a sequence of 5-8 obstacles.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 9 points, non-members $102
A 6-week on-line class.
Each week’s lesson will consist of a few drills (using 3 or 4 jumps and a tunnel) and one longer sequence (10-12 obstacles). Class will include an in-person Orientation consisting of two parts: one focusing on safe and efficient course building, the other (optional) focusing on the tech side: how to video, upload, post, use YouTube/Facebook, etc.).
Registered students will get an invite to join a Facebook group set up for this class. Each week we will post course maps and videos of the drills and sequence. Students are then expected to schedule an Open Training session, set up the course, and video themselves running it. Students will then submit their videos to the Facebook group and will receive instructor feedback (verbal and visual, using video editing software) a few days later. Students are encouraged to communicate through the Facebook group and to work together when feasible. Limited in-person instruction may also be available.
PREREQUISITE: The drills and sequences are appropriate for students who have successfully completed SOTC's Advanced Beginner class (or beyond). Students should be able to perform most obstacles with some independence.
MEETINGS: In-person Orientation on a date to be announced
PRICE: SOTC members $36 or 4 points, non-members $52 (price includes 2 hours of Open Training; price for additional OT sessions is $5 for members, $10 for non-members)
Those rears need work? Can’t get there for the blinds? Young dog doesn’t like the teeter? Weaves just aren’t happening? Let’s fix it! Your time on the floor is for you and I to see if we can make your team stronger. Let’s work on the problems you might be having in agility -- at any level. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: For teams getting ready to trial (or beyond). Dogs should be at least 12 months of age. Should have been on contact equipment and be working on weaves, or be already showing in Novice or at higher levels.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
For dogs that have completed an Agility Foundations class but are not yet ready to trial. This will be a handling class only (no contacts or weaves). We will work skills and do short sequences. This will include offering the jump, tunnel commitment, go on, front cross, blind cross, and rear crosses. The class will be adjusted to the skill level of the handler and dog team. Limit 5.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
For teams learning 2x2s or not weaving 6 poles with confidence. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Dogs must be at least 12 months of age
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
Learning crosses and when to use verbals. Appropriate for any level after beginner level.
MEETINGS: 4 meetings, 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $48 or 6 points
Distraction training while doing agility and obedience exercises. This is a combo class based on activities from Leslie McDevitt (author of “Control Unleashed”) and the jump grids from Susan Salo.
Each week will feature a different foundation grid or jumping activity and pattern games with food. Distraction will be provided by another dog working on the other side of the ring gating. For example, one dog will be walking or doing a recall while another dog on the other side of the ring gating is jumping or doing something different.
Depending on the level of the dogs, we will build this up slowly for some and quicker for others.
Limit 5 dog-and-handler teams.
PREREQUISITE: Dogs must be at least 18 months old. They should have a recall, walk on a leash, and must be good with other dogs in the ring at the same time.
MEETINGS: 4 meetings (6/30, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28), 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $48 or 6 points
Nested courses will be built, course maps will be provided. Run the courses or train as you wish. Please be prompt for setup. Limit 10 teams per meeting.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings (June 15 & 29, July 13 & 27, August 17 & 24), 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $9 or 1 point, non-members $13 (per drop-in, pay as you go -- checks, exact change, or click HERE to pay on-line with a credit card)
TO REGISTER: To reserve a spot for a particular meeting and to confirm that class will be held, email the instructor via the link below
For students preparing for Novice. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Successfully passing SOTC Intermediate Agility or permission. Dogs must be able to perform full-height contacts, do 6 weave poles, and negotiate sequences of 8-10 obstacles.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points
For students preparing for Open. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Novice agility titles or permission
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points
For students preparing for Excellent/Masters. Students are expected to help set up the course. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: Open agility titles or permission
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 75 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 9 points
Those rears need work? Can’t get there for the blinds? Young dog doesn’t like the teeter? Weaves just aren’t happening? Let’s fix it! Your time on the floor is for you and I to see if we can make your team stronger. Let’s work on the problems you might be having in agility -- at any level. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: For teams getting ready to trial (or beyond). Dogs should be at least 12 months of age. Should have been on contact equipment and be working on weaves, or be already showing in Novice or at higher levels.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78