Puppy Manners & Obedience

This multi-week class is for puppies 12 weeks to 6 months. Class starts with the very basic commands every dog should know such as sit, stay, down and come.  Information on common puppy problems such as crating, nipping and housebreaking are covered.

Once you graduate from puppy class and you want to continue with obedience work or you have an older dog that has never been to an obedience class, we offer a basic obedience class. 


AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class.

You’ll attend an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class for at least 6 weeks. Your instructor will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test at the end of the course. Upon passing the test, you’ll get an application to send to AKC® for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. All dogs are welcome to participate in the program including purebreds and mixed breeds. For more information about this class, click here!


Basic Obedience

Once you graduate from puppy class and you want to continue with obedience work or you have an older dog that has never been to an obedience class, we offer a basic obedience class. 

This class reviews sit, down, come, and stay and adds such exercises as heel, heel fast, heel slow, heel while turning, long sits, long downs, and long-distance recalls.


Training Games

This multi-week course includes games for improving your dog’s recall and other basic behaviors, enhancing your relationship with your dog, and increasing your dog’s drive and motivation to work with you. Dogs can work for treats or toys (or both). For dogs of any age that have completed either Puppy Manners and Obedience or Basic Obedience.

Dogs that have not taken a class at DTCT but have completed basic obedience or manners training somewhere else will need instructor approval to register.



Advanced Basic Obedience

Once graduation from Basic has occurred, students may move on to Advanced Basic. This class is perfect for an owner who wants more than what the basic class offered. Advanced Basic is a multi-week class that builds upon the skills introduced in Basic Obedience. Students are advised to consult with their basic obedience instructor to confirm that they are prepared to move on to Advanced Basic.


Introduction to Competitive Obedience

This class is intended for individuals and their dogs who have never attended an obedience trial.  You will learn about the rules and expectations of competing in a trial and train your dog in the exercises required for Beginner Novice and Novice competition.  The class will also be suitable for experienced handlers who have dogs that have not yet been trained in these exercises.  Completion of Advanced Basic obedience, or the equivalent, is required.


Novice/Open Obedience Drop-in (Competition)

This competition-level class is for dogs and handlers preparing for a Companion Dog (CD) Obedience title.   This class moves fast and you are required to know both the exercises and terminology before starting the class.  Once you have received your first obedience title, the CD, you may want to continue training for your next title, a CDX (Companion Dog Excellent).  This is the class to help you prepare for the title.​ 


Utility (Competition)

Once you have earned your CDX, you may want to continue training for your next title, a UD (Utility Dog ).  This is the class to help you prepare for this title.


AKC Canine Good Citizenship Urban

(CGCU) Prep Class and Evaluation

This class focuses on preparing dogs and their owners to navigate the pet-friendly world. From flea markets to dog stores to downtown to a patio of a restaurant, we may have trained our dogs in the skills they need, but we never prepared them for the practical applications.

Goals for the dog at the end of the class: be able to walk comfortably and confidently in a crowded area and be respectful of the people around them. To be able to hold a stay to pose for a picture. To be able to settle next to a table while the owner eats.

Prerequisites:  Dogs who have taken or who are fully trained to the level of the CGC title.  Note that you cannot test for a CGC Urban title until you have passed your CGC.


Pay to Train

Individual non-instructional ring time for experienced handlers/students.

Pre-registration is required

*Sometimes available by request


Obedience Runthroughs

Have one of our Obedience instructors run you through the Competition Obedience class of your choice.


AKC Canine Good Citizenship Certification

(CGC) Prep Class and Evaluation

This class is offered to the dog owner to prepare their dog for the CGC evaluation.  It is a four-week course and upon completion, your dog will be evaluated on the items required to earn an AKC CGC title.  The evaluations will be done during the fourth week.  All classes need to be attended.  A 6-foot leash and a variety of soft treats and a small tug toy are needed for class


Obedience 1x1s

Obedience 1×1 Sessions are open to two types of students:

  • those who need extra assistance with obedience exercises and/or behavior issues
  • those who want to go beyond the obedience exercises learned in class

Open to DTCT members and students.  Past students are welcome!