Established 1960
Classes
Class Schedule, FALL 2023
Fall classes are full and under way, and registration is CLOSED. Winter classes will likely start in early January (schedule to be posted sometime in December). To receive an email notification when the winter schedule is posted, contact the Registrar. (Current students will be notified automatically.)
When can you register?
(And why is this so complicated?)
When can you register? It depends on who you are and what kind of class it is.
For SOTC instructors, registration opens on 8/15 (all classes)
For other SOTC members, registration opens on 8/23 (all classes)
For non-member current students, registration opens on:
- 8/24 for Puppy classes (no permission code required)
- 8/24 for Pre-Basic, Basic, Intermediate, CGC, Tricks (with permission code)
- 8/30 for other classes (with permission code; limited availability)
For non-member new students, registration opens on:
- 8/24 for Puppy classes (no permission code required)
- 8/30 for Pre-Basic and Basic (no permission code required)
- Other classes, particularly agility, are generally not available to new students, but you may check with the Registrar and request a permission code after 9/6
Need help? Have questions?Try these links first: Still having trouble? Need a permission code? | What's on the schedule?
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BASIC OBEDIENCE
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.
Puppy
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 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
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED PUP-M7 | Monday 7pm starting 9/25 (will NOT meet on 11/13) | Instructor Roberta Hennigan, assistant Janine Ramsden
(for puppies born between ~5/8/23 & 7/3/23)
Pre-Basic
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
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED PRE-TH715 | Thursday 7:15pm starting 9/21 | Instructor Meg Donley, assistant Kelly Mueller
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED PRE-M8 | Monday 8pm starting 9/25 (will not meet on 11/13) | Instructor Tim Faulkner, assistant Amy Thorna
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED PRE-W630 | Wednesday 6:30pm starting 9/27 | Instructor Scott Schuhert, assistant CarrieJo Freed
Basic
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
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED BAS-TH6 | Thursday 6pm starting 9/21 | Instructor Larry Krieger, assistant Martina St. Leger
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED BAS-M6 | Monday 6pm starting 9/25 (will NOT meet on 10/23) | Instructor Kryssi D'Eredita, assistant Pat Hoover
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED BAS-TU8 | Tuesday 8pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/10) | Instructor Janine Ramsden, assistant Dawn Evans
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED BAS-W530 | Wednesday 5:30pm starting 9/27 | Instructor Patty Warner, assistant Bari Tassinaro
BEYOND BASIC
(back to top)Intermediate
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
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED INT-TH715 | Thursday 7:15pm starting 9/21| Instructor Larry Krieger, assistant Martina St. Leger
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED INT-W630 | Wednesday 6:30pm starting 9/27 | Instructor Patty Warner, assistant Bari Tassinaro
Canine Good Citizen (Prep Class with Test)
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, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $36 or 4 points, non-members $52
- CGC-SU7 | Sunday 7pm starting 9/24 | Instructor Pam Renock, assistant Lynn Coates
Tricks (and Maybe Clicks)
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, jump over a bar, kiss, touch fist or target stick, bow, figure of 8 through legs, weave through your legs as you walk.
We will help you work toward testing for an AKC tricks title if you want (not required): Novice intermediate or advanced. We will do our best to set up a title testing time for those who want to test after the completion of the class for a small additional fee.
Limit 5.
What you will need
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
- CANCELLED TRX-TU445 | Tuesday 4:45pm starting 9/26 | Instructor Lynn Miller, assistant Barb Reuter
Conformation
Conformation Drop-ins
Drop 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
- CON-TU7 | Tuesday 7pm starting 9/12 (note EARLY start date; will not meet on 10/10) | Instructor Mary Walker, assistant Mary Kobis
RALLY
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 Novice
Work on the Novice signs. 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
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING RAL1-SA9 | Saturday 9am starting 9/23 | Instructor Kathy Morse, assistant Kathy Vanderworken
** NEW ** ASCA Rally Novice
Foundation skills for Rally, interpretation of ASCA Novice signs and differences from AKC Rally Novice, along with shortened courses will be taught.
PREREQUISITE: Basic obedience or permission of the instructor
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- CANCELLED ASCA-RAL1-W1 | Wednesday 1pm starting 9/13 (note EARLY start date; will NOT meet on 10/4) | Co-instructors Pat John & Mary Walker
Rally Novice / Intermediate
Work on the Novice and Advanced signs for dogs not ready to work off-lead. 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
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING RAL2-TU6 | Tuesday 6pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/10) | Instructor Kathy Morse, assistant Paul Vautrain
** NEW ** Intro to Rally Skills
We will work on the skills needed to start competing in Rally. We will work on basics like heeling and stays in addition to learning the Novice signs and the Rally rules.
PREREQUISITE: Dogs must be able to do sustained heeling and have reliable sit, down and stay. Dogs must be able to be crated during class.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING RSK1-F215 | Friday 2:15pm starting 9/22 | Instructor Judy McManus, assistant Ann Hardy
** NEW ** Rally Skills Strengthening
This class will focus on the skills needed to improve precision and flow in the performance of Rally signs, including footwork, spatial awareness, body placement, eyes. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: For teams trialing at the Novice/Intermediate level at least. Should have a knowledge of the Advanced exercises and the ability to start off- leash work
MEETINGS: 4 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $36 or 4 points, non-members $52
- RSK2-TU1130 | Tuesday 11:30am starting 11/14 (note LATER start date) | Co-instructors Lisa Williams & Dawn Watkins
** NEW ** Rally Skills, Advanced Through Master
Each class meeting will focus on a single skill, and students working on all the exercises (regardless of level) related to that skill. For example, if working on the Excellent-level “backup 3 steps,” we will also work on the Master-level backup signs. We will work sequences, not full courses.
PREREQUISITE: Must be working at or above Intermediate and must be able to work off lead. Dogs must be able to be crated during class.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- RSK3-F1 | Friday 1pm starting 9/22 | Instructor Judy McManus, assistant Ann Hardy
Rally Excellent
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 for the Monday class, 60 minutes for the Saturday class
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING RAL4-M11 | Monday 11am starting 9/25 | Instructor Debbie Keith, assistant Pat John
- RAL4-SA1015 | Saturday 10:15am starting 9/23 | Instructor Kathy Morse, assistant Kathy Vanderworken
Rally Master
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 for the Monday class, 60 minutes for the Tuesday class
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- RAL5-M1230 | Monday 12:30pm starting 9/25 | Instructor Pat John, assistant Jennifer Taylor
- CANCELLED RAL5-TU715 | Tuesday 7:15pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/10) | Instructor Kathy Morse, assistant Paul Vautrain
COMPETITION OBEDIENCE
Young Dog Competition 1
This class is designed to introduce young dogs to the foundations of competitive obedience. The class focuses on making obedience fun and exciting, building drive and motivation. The primary objective is to develop teamwork, focus, flexibility and body awareness, and attention. The class will focus on foundations skills for heeling, signals, go-outs, recalls, dumbbell work, etc. Limit 6.
This is the first class in a 3-class sequence. The sequence starts once a year, in the fall, with follow-on classes offered in the winter and spring sessions. Students enrolled in YDC1 have priority for enrolling in YDC2 and YDC3.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC members only. Dogs should be between 3 and 18 months of age.
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 8 points
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED YDC1-TH6 | Thursday 6pm starting 9/21 (will NOT meet on 9/28, 10/12, 11/16, 11/23) | Instructor Kathy McCloskey, assistant Marcia Martin
** NEW ** Foundation Skills for Open & Utility
This class will concentrate on the different skills necessary to build the Open and Utility exercises. Skills will build upon one another. Limit 8.
PREREQUISITE: Dogs in this class do not need to have an obedience title but should be thinking about doing advanced obedience with their dogs.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING OUS-TH1030 | Thursday 10:30am starting 9/21 | Co-instructors Dottie Hamblin, Becky Byrns, & Cindy Berry
Intermediate Novice
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 (9/18, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/30, 11/6), 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING NOV2-M7 | Monday 7pm starting 9/18 (note EARLY start date; will NOT meet on 9/25, 10/23) | Co-instructors Sue Eaton & Kelly Mueller
Intro to Open
An introduction to the Open exercises. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE:
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 8 points, non-members $104
- FULL WAITLIST FORMING OPN1-M5 | Monday 5pm starting starting 9/18 (note EARLY start date) | Instructor Kathy Helmke, assistant Kelly Mueller
Advanced Open / Intro to Utility
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: 8 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 8 points, non-members $104
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING OPN3-M6 | Monday 6pm starting 9/18 (note EARLY start date) | Instructor Kathy Helmke, assistant Sue Eaton
Training with Props Part 2
This class is continuing, by popular demand, and we will be looking at additional ways to use props to increase your dog’s understanding of an exercise or a skill. Both Rally and Obedience dogs can benefit from this focus on using props for “errorless learning” which lessens frustration (for easily aroused dogs) and provides more confidence (for the less confident or less driven dogs).
Last session, we worked on these skills:
- Straighter fronts and finishes
- Better left- and right-hand turns
- Reliable stays for retrieves and recalls
- A perfect Rally “Back-up 3 Steps” exercise
- A perfect Open “Command Discrimination” exercise
This session, we will do more advanced work, especially in the area of Rally skills.
We will be using platforms, targets and wire gates as props.
Limit 6 dogs.
PREREQUISITE: For students who took the instructor's summer Props class only. Others may request permission to audit.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points
- FULL, REGISTRATION CLOSED PRP2-TH445 | Thursday 4:45pm starting 9/21 | Instructor Nancy Frakes, assistant Debbie Waters
Open & Utility Problem Solving
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 7.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 2 hours
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points
- OUP-TU1230 | Tuesday 12:30pm starting
9/2610/3 (note LATER start date) | Co-instructors Stephanie Podejko & Lou Scrimale
SCENTWORK
Scentwork classes are held offsite, at American High (the old A.V. Zogg Middle School), 800 4th St., Liverpool. Fees, including that for members paying with points, include a $25 site-rental charge.
Beginner Scentwork
For dogs that have no scentwork experience or need more basic experience in foundations. Limit 6.
What you will need
- Lots and lots of good treats
- A crate, if possible
- A harness if you have one (if not, a collar is fine to start with)
- Water and a bowl (dogs scent best when they are hydrated)
PREREQUISITE: None! But no aggressive dogs.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $79 (or 6pts + $25), non-members $104
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING SCT1-TU630 | Tuesday 6:30pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/10) | Instructor Becky O'Brien, assistant Amir Findling
Advanced Beginner Scentwork
For those who have done minimal scent work, like the Beginner Class, but who aren’t ready to compete yet. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Beginner Scentwork or permission
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $79 (or 6pts + $25), non-members $104
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING SCT2-TU730 | Tuesday 7:30pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/10) | Instructor Becky O'Brien, assistant Amir Findling
Novice / Advanced Scentwork Level 1
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 SOTC Advanced Beginner Scentwork or one leg earned at a Novice-level scentwork trial
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $79 (or 6pts + $25)
- CANCELLED SCT3-TH7 | Thursday 7pm starting 9/21 (may need to skip meeting on 9/28) | Instructor Terri Botsford, assistant Ann Marie Letto
Novice / Advanced Scentwork Level 2
Further work on container and interior setups, with the addition of distractions (food, toys, people) , blank/ empty rooms, etc.
PREREQUSITE: Successful completion of SOTC Novice Advanced Level 1. Dogs must be able to find two hides. Preference to students who took the instructor's summer class.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $79 (or 6pts + $25)
- SCT4-TH6 | Thursday 6pm starting 9/21 | Instructor Nan Bonnell, assistant Danielle Knobel
Fun Games / Practice Hides Level 2
In this class we are going to have fun by using scentwork games to target and improve fundamental scentwork skills such as leash handling, finding multiple hides, handling environmental pressure, and handler/dog communication. In addition to the games, there will be container, interior, and exterior hides set up to practice the learned skills. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: This class is intended for dog/handler teams who already know the basics of a scentwork search and are capable of successfully completing a search for at least one interior hide.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $79 (or 6pts + $25)
- SCT5-TH3 | Thursday 3pm starting 9/21 | Instructor Jean Rand, assistants Janine Crane & Barb Reuter.
Fun Games / Practice Hides Level 3
We will continue to emphasize fundamentals while introducing and learning new skills for the Advanced/Excellent levels such as searching elevated hides, blank rooms, inaccessible hides, converging scents, hides with difficult air flow, and many other scentwork abilities. Limit 6.
PREREQUISITE: This class is intended for dog/handler teams who are working at the Advanced to Excellent level or beyond. They must be capable of successfully completing a search for multiple hides.
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 75 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $79 (or 6pts + $25)
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING SCT6-TH430 | Thursday 4:30pm starting 9/21 | Instructor Jean Rand, assistants Janine Crane & Barb Reuter
AGILITY
We are unable to accommodate any new non-member agility students at this time. Click HERE to inquire about other training options.
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 or bring their own crate each time and carry it out after class.
Agility Foundations
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.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Basic graduate or permission
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED AFN1-W630 | Wednesday 6:30pm starting 9/27 | Instructor Janine Ramsden, assistant Jennifer Precourt
Agility Foundations 2
For students who have taken SOTC's Agility Foundations 1 but are not quite ready for Beginner Agility.
PREREQUISITE: SOTC Agility Foundations 1 or permission
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 75 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 9 points, non-members $102
- AFN2-F630 | Friday 6:30pm starting 9/22 | Instructor Janine Ramsden, assistants Helen Pflueger & Rick Pflueger
Beginner Agility
Introduction to contact equipment, jump training, practicing lead-outs, and basic handling. Building drive while maintaining focus and control. Limit 6-8.
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 to students repeating the summer class.
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 75 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $96 or 12 points, non-members $136
- FULL WAITLIST CLOSED AGL1-W5 | Wednesday 5pm starting
9/2710/4 (note new, later state date; will not meet on 11/22) | Co-instructors Dottie Hamblin & Diane Eggleston, assistant Cindy Foley
Advanced Beginner Agility
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 to students repeating the summer class.
MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $96 or 12 points, non-members $136
- AGL2-M630 | Monday 6:30pm starting 9/25 (will NOT meet on 11/13) | Co- instructors Scott Reichinger, Lindsey Blaine, & Amy Shaw
Intermediate Agility
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
- AGL3-W2 | Wednesday 2pm starting 9/27 | Co-instructors Suzanne Etherington & Debbie Keith
Virtual Agility Sequences: Focus on Fundamentals
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.).
HOW IT WILL WORK
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.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- a video recording device (any tablet or smart phone will work)
- a way to upload videos
- a (free) YouTube account
- a (free) Facebook account
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)
- VAS (2023AUT) | Co-instructors Emily Hamilton, Michele Maier & Scott Reichinger
Agility Handling for Young Dogs
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
- AGH-TU345 | Tuesday 3:45pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/3) | Co-instructors Karen Vanderburgh & Sue DeRienzo
2x2 Weaves
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
- AGW-TU445 | Tuesday 4:45pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/3) | Co-instructors Karen Vanderburgh & Sue DeRienzo
Verbals & Crosses
Learning crosses and when to use verbals.
PREREQUISTE: Students must be able to weave and do sequences up to 10 obstacles
MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points
- AGV-TU545 | Tuesday 5:45pm (new time slot) starting 9/26 | Co-instructors Jeri Fishack & Kris Hart
Parallel Games & Jump Grids for Sports
Distraction training while doing agility, obedience, rally, or flyball activities, etc. This is a combo class based on games from Leslie McDevitt (author of “Control Unleashed”) and the jump grids from Susan Salo.
Distraction will be provided by another dog working on the other side of ring gating.
You will learn pattern games you can do with your dog to keep them engaged with you through distractions in the environment. The use of remote reinforcement will also be covered.
The goal is that you can utilize what you learned in training and trial environments. A different foundation grid or jumping activity will be offered every week.
Depending on the level of the dogs in class we will build this up slowly for some and quicker for others.
Dogs must be 18 months and up to any age. They should have a recall, walk on a leash, and must be good with other dogs in the ring at the same time. Limit 5 dog-and-handler teams.
MEETINGS: 4 meetings (9/8, 10/6, 10/20,10/27), 90 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $48 or 6 points
- FULL, WAITLIST CLOSED AGJ-FR1030 | Friday 10:30am starting 9/8 (note EARLY start date) | Instructor Linda Kaufman
Agility Drop-ins, Novice to Masters
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 (9/7, 10/5, 10/19, 11/9, 11/30), 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
- ADI-TH730 | Thursday 7:30pm starting 9/7 (note EARLY start date) | Instructor Andrea Lee, assistant Tom Weickert
Novice Agility
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
- AGL4-TU7 | Tuesday 7pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/10) | Instructor Becky Konst, assistant Tom Canino
Novice / Open Agility
For teams doing Novice or Open work. We will work on all the elements of a course and the best way for you to handle them. We will make sure that you have a toolbox full of good skills to draw from. Perfect your front crosses , blinds, rears, serps, lead-outs, contacts, etc.
PREREQUISITE: Dogs must be able to do all contact equipment and weaves for participation in this class
6 meetings, 60 minutes
PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78
- AGL4-TH11 |
Wednesday 11am starting 9/27NEW TIME SLOT Thursday 11am starting 9/21 | Instructor Linda Aloi, assistant Peggy Mooney
Open Agility
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, non-members $78
- AGL5-TU8 | Tuesday 8pm starting 9/26 (will NOT meet on 10/10) | Instructor Becky Konst, assistant Tom Canino
Excellent / Masters Agility
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, non-members $102
- FULL, WAITLIST FORMING AGL6-TH615 | Thursday 6:15pm starting 9/21 (will NOT meet on 9/28, 10/12) | Co-instructors Sandy Madaio & Diane Eggleston