BEYOND BASIC

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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

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  INT-W630   |   Wednesday 6:30pm starting 9/18   |   Instructor Bari Tassinaro, assistant Janine Ramsden

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  INT-TH715  (limit 6)  |   Thursday 7:15pm starting 9/19   |   Instructor Larry Krieger, assistant Martina St. Leger

Canine Good Citizen (Prep Class with Test)

Reviewing all 10 exercises for the CGC test. Extra help on how to train your dog for exercises you may need to work on. At the last class meeting you will be able to take the test for the CGC title. Limit 6.

PREREQUISITE: SOTC Basic graduate or permission

MEETINGS: 4 meetings, 60 minutes

PRICE: SOTC members $36 or 4 points, non-members $52

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  CGC-SU7 |   Sunday 7pm starting 9/22    |  Instructor Pam Renock, assistant Libby Lougnot

Tricks

AKC Tricks is a non-competitive titling program that starts with a series of simple tricks at the novice level and progresses through more difficult tricks. The highest levels (not taught in this class) progress to choreographed routines with music and storytelling!

This class is suitable for beginners up. A title does not have to be your goal as tricks are fun to train/show off and are an excellent way to establish and maintain a great training relationship with your dog. In addition to learning specific tricks, this class will teach you how to break down elements of tricks to teach them on your own. Training skills applicable to all dog sports will be emphasized. A list of the AKC options for each level of trick title will be provided, and each dog/handler team will determine what tricks they wish to learn. As much structure and/or customization for each dog/handler team will be provided.

Just a few trick options are: shake, circle around handler either forward or backward, stand on a platform, get in a box, jump through arms or a hoop, roll over, weave through your legs as you walk, figure 8 through your legs, etc.

Limit 4.

PREREQUISITE: A prior successful SOTC class or permission of instructor (don’t hesitate to ask). This class is restricted to dogs that are not reactive to other dogs or food/toys being tossed since we will be creating some quick movement and excitement for the dogs. Dogs need to be able to be managed by handlers. You may need to supply some of the equipment needed for certain tricks. A clicker is recommended (but not required) for training these skills. An introduction to clicker training will be covered.

MEETINGS : 4 meetings,  60 minutes

PRICE:  SOTC members $36 or 4 points, non-members  $52. Optional AKC title test(s) after completion of class for a $10 additional fee.

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  TRX-TU730  |  Tuesday 7:30pm starting  9/3 (note early start date)  |  Instructor Lynn Miller, assistant TBA 

FLYBALL

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Beginner Flyball

This class will teach the basics: retrieving a tennis ball; coming back with the ball; going over jumps to get the ball; doing a swimmers turn off the flyball box while catching; and doing all of this while running fast. Limit 4.

PREREQUISITE:   SOTC Basic graduate or permission. Dogs must have basic obedience skills (sit, down, stay) and an off-leash recall. They must be food and/or toy motivated and be able to work around other off-leash dogs without concerns or signs of aggression. Both dog and handler must be physically able to play the game. To participate fully, dogs should be at least 12 months of age. Puppies as young as 6 months may attend class but will be limited in what they can do until their growth plates close (at about 1 year of age). 

MEETINGS:   6 meetings, 60 minutes

PRICE:   SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• CANCELLED   FLY1-W9  |   Wednesday 9am starting 9/18   |  Instructor Jessica Sielawa

Beginner / Intermediate Flyball

For beginners as well as those who have already taken a Flyball class with us.  Limit 8.

PREREQUISITE:  Dogs must have basic obedience skills (sit, down, stay) and an off-leash recall. They must be food and/or toy motivated and be able to work around other off-leash dogs without concerns or signs of aggression. Both dog and handler must be physically able to play the game. To participate fully, dogs should be at least 12 months of age. Puppies as young as 6 months  may attend class but will be limited in what they can do until their growth plates close (at about 1 year of age).

MEETINGS:   6 meetings, 45 minutes

PRICE:   SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  FLY2-W630  |   Wednesday 6:30pm starting 9/18 (will not meet  on 10/16)   |  Co-instructors Emily Reynolds & Tara Fresch

Conformation

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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 2 tickets, 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  9/17 (will not meet on 10/8)  |   Instructor Mary Walker, assistants Lynn Coates & Mary Kobis

RALLY

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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 

An introduction to AKC Rally, with an emphasis on learning the signs and how to run a smooth and efficient course. Students will work their way through the Rally Novice signs and will learn to walk a course. Dogs will be leashed on course. Limit 6-8.

PREREQUISITE: SOTC Basic graduate or permission. 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

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  RAL1-TU5 | Tuesday 5pm starting 9/17  (will not meet on 10/8)  | Instructor Kathy Morse, assistant Paul Vautrain

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

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  RSK1-F215 | Friday 2:15pm starting 9/27   (note later start date; will not meet on 10/11)  |  Instructor Judy McManus, assistant  Ann Hardy

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

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  RSK3-F1 | Friday 1pm  starting 9/27   (note later start date; will not meet on 10/11)  | Instructor Judy McManus, assistant  Ann Hardy

Rally Advanced / Excellent

Courses with instruction. Limit 6-8.

PREREQUISITE: RN title or permission of instructor. Students must crate their dogs while they walk the course. Dogs should be able to work offlead.

MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 90 minutes

PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  RAL3-TU6  |  Tuesday 6pm starting 9/17  (will not meet on 10/8)  | Instructor Kathy Morse, assistant Paul Vautrain

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

PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  RAL4-M11 | Monday 11am starting 9/23 (note later start date)   | Instructor Debbie Keith, assistant Kathy Mosher

Rally Master

Courses with instruction. Limit 6.

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

PRICE:   SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  RAL5-M1230  |  Monday 12:30pm starting 9/23 (note later start date)   |   Instructor Pat John, assistant Jennifer Taylor

COMPETITION OBEDIENCE

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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:   6 meetings, 45 minutes

PRICE:  SOTC members $54 or 6 points

• REGISTRATION CLOSED YDC1-TH6   |   Thursday 6pm starting 9/19  (will not meet on 9/26, 10/10)  |  Instructor Kathy McCloskey, assistant Marcia Martin

Dumbbell Retrieve Class Part 2 (continuation class, part 2 of 2)

A continuation class for the students who took the instructor's spring 2024 retrieving class
[DMB-TH2 (2024SPR)]: T. Balamut, A. Fowler, L. Miller, J. Myers, S. Peios, A. Thorna

This class will focus on adding the “fetch” to the “take” and “hold”, which will teach the dog that it is desirable to get that dumbbell in his mouth from anywhere! We will also work on the “stay” prior to being released to retrieve. And we will work on straight fronts, using a platform or front box to teach the dog the correct front position. Limit 6.

PREREQUISITE: For those who took the instructor's spring 2024 retrieving class. Others are welcome to audit!

MEETINGS:   6 meetings, 60 minutes

PRICE:  SOTC members $54 or 6 points

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  DMB2-F2   |  Friday 2pm starting 9/27  (note later start date)  |   Instructor Nancy Frakes, assistant Debbie Waters

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 (but if you get closed out, please join the waitlist and wait to hear from us; we may be able to accommodate you)

PREREQUISITE: Prior Novice class, BN/PN title, or permission. Students must have Novice skills prior to sign-up.

MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes

PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  NOV2-M7  |  Monday 7pm starting 9/16   | 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

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  OPN1-M6  |  Monday 6pm starting starting 9/16    |  Instructor Wendy Longden, assistant Melissa Lanty

Intro to Utility

An introduction to the Utility exercises. Limit 6.

PREREQUISITE:

MEETINGS:   6 meetings, 45 minutes

PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  UTL1-M5 | Monday 5pm starting 9/16  |  Instructor Kathy Helmke, assistant Sue Eaton

Advanced Open / Utility

A proofing and polishing class for Open and Utility. Limit 6.

PREREQUISITE: Working knowledge of all the exercises

MEETINGS: 6 meetings, 45 minutes

PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• OU3-M6 | Monday 6pm starting 9/16  |  Instructor Kathy Helmke, assistant Kelly Mueller

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, 90 minutes

PRICE: SOTC members $54 or 6 points

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  OUP-TU10 | Tuesday 10am starting  9/17   |  Co-instructors Stephanie Podejko & Lou Scrimale

AGILITY

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We are unable to accommodate any new non-member agility students at this time. We usually have a few openings in Agility Foundations each session for non-member current students (i.e. our Basic grads), but rarely anything beyond that for them or for students new to SOTC.  If you need recommendations for other agility training options, click HERE to email our Agility Inquiries contact.

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 1

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:   8 meetings, 60 minutes

PRICE:   SOTC members $72 or 8 points, non-members $104

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  AFN1-M8   |   Monday 8pm  starting 9/16    |   Co-instructors Janine Ramsden & Meg Donley

Agility Foundations 2

For students who have taken SOTC's Agility Foundations 1 but are not quite ready for Beginner Agility. Limit 6.

PREREQUISITE: SOTC Agility Foundations 1 or permission

MEETINGS: 8 meetings, 75 minutes

PRICE: SOTC members $96 or 12 points, non-members $136

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  AFN2-M815 | Monday 8:15pm  starting 9/16   | Co-instructors Jennifer Precourt, Amy Shaw, & Rumpelstiltskin Morgan

Beginner Agility (continuation class, part 3 of 3)

A continuation class for the students who took the instructors' summer 2024 Beginner Agility class 
[AGL1-W5 (2024SUM)]: F. Bassett, T. Boyce-Smith, S. Druger, L. Fostveit, A. Jackson, J. Ramsden

MEETINGS:   8 meetings, 75 minutes

PRICE:   SOTC members $96 or 12 points, non-members $136

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  AGL1-W5  |   Wednesday 5pm starting 9/18   |  Co-instructors Dottie Hamblin & Diane Eggleston

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

MEETINGS:   8 meetings, 90 minutes

PRICE:   SOTC members $96 or 12 points, non-members $136

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  AGL2-M630   |   Monday 6:30pm starting 9/16    |   Co- instructors Amy Shaw, Jennifer Precourt, & Scott Reichinger

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

• REGISTRATION CLOSED AGL3-W2   |   Wednesday 2pm starting 9/18   |   Co-instructors Kris Hart & Jeri Fishack

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)

• ENDANGERED (needs more enrollments in order to be held) VAS (2024AUT)   |   Co-instructors Emily Hamilton Reynolds, 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, non-members $78

• REGISTRATION CLOSED   AGH-TU345   |   Tuesday 3:45pm starting 9/17 (will not meet on 10/1)    |   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, 45 minutes

PRICE:   SOTC members $54 or 6 points, non-members $78

• CANCELLED  AGW-TU445   |   Tuesday 4:45pm starting 9/17  (will not meet on 10/1)  |   Co-instructors Karen Vanderburgh & Sue DeRienzo

Jump Grid / Body Awareness

This Jump Grid class is for dogs 18 months old and up who have been actively jumping. The jump heights are generally kept low but will be adjusted based on the height and age of the dog. The grids can be useful to train jumping skills for agility, obedience / rally and flyball. The jump grids teach a dog to adjust their stride to cover ground more efficiently, jump cleanly and find the perfect take-off spot. The grids also teach the dog to focus forwards and take a long line of jumps. Several types of jump grids will be covered and will be progressed throughout the class.

The body awareness part of this class will include backing up onto various obstacles for hind end awareness, walking on and turning around on low planks, poles on the ground exercise and use of Cavalettis.

Limit: 4 dog & handler teams

PREREQUISITE: Dogs must be 18 months old and up, and actively jumping either in other classes, at trials or trained by their handler

MEETINGS:  6 meetings, 90 minutes

PRICE: SOTC members $72 or 9 points, non-members $102

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  AGJ-W1030  |  Wednesday 10:30am starting 9/18 (will not meet on 9/25)  |  Instructor Linda Kaufman, assistant Rumpelstiltskin Morgan

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:   4 meetings (9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31),  90 minutes

PRICE:   SOTC members $9 or 2 tickets, 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 9/19    |   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, non-members $78

• REGISTRATION CLOSED  AGL4-TU645   |   Tuesday 6:45pm starting 9/17 (will not meet on 10/8)  |   Instructor Becky Konst, assistant Tom Canino

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

• CANCELLED  AGL5-TU8   |   Tuesday 8pm starting 9/18  (will not meet on10/8)   |   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

• REGISTRATION CLOSED   AGL6-TH615   |   Thursday 6:15pm starting 9/19  (will not meet on 10/10)  |   Co-instructors Sandy Madaio & Diane Eggleston

ISC Agility Run-throughs

An international-style agility course designed by an FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) judge will be set up on the turf arena (130 foot x 80 foot). This will be an excellent opportunity for those interested in learning about AKC’s International Sweepstakes Class (ISC), a non-regular class providing a dog and handler an opportunity to demonstrate their advanced training and handling skills on various international-style standard and jumpers with weaves courses. Limit 10 dogs. Two-minute sessions on the floor (maximum of 3 runs total).

MEETINGS: 3 meetings (9/6, 10/18, tentative 12/13), 180 minutes

PRICE:   SOTC members $15 or 4 tickets, non-members $20 (per dog, 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

• ISC-F630   |   Friday 6:30pm starting 9/6    |   Instructor Lindsey Blaine, assistant Rumpelstiltskin Morgan