Our Novice Obedience class is a great next step to continue your obedience journey. Developed in the 1930s, competitive Obedience is one of the AKC’s oldest sporting events, and it’s open to all dogs. This class teaches you the drills to compete in AKC Obedience trials to possibly earn an AKC Companion Dog (CD) title or just to make sure that your dog is the most well-behaved one in your neighborhood!

Skills practiced include:

• Walking on and off leash
• Heeling with adjustment in pace, including stops and starts, and figure eights
• Sit-stay and recall from a distance
• Stand for exam, an exercise where the dog allows a stranger to come up and touch it while staying without the owner next to the dog

Our experienced trainers will help you build a competitive team with your dog and cultivate a willingness to work.

Classes should be repeated to become proficient in all skills before advancing to the next level class.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite: Proficient in skills taught in Advanced Dog Obedience & Leash Skills and Intermediate Obedience class. Suggested class of Obedience & Rally - Focus & Heeling can be taken before or concurrently with this class.

What to bring to class: Flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6 foot leash, high value treats, treat pouch, water, and a positive attitude! No e-collars or retractable leashes.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

The Rally is a unique dog sport that emphasizes teamwork between you and your dog. Our Rally Novice & Intermediate class you and your dog move through a course made up of signs, each representing a different obedience command or skill. The course is designed by the instructor and will be different each week. Unlike Obedience, in Rally the handler is allowed to talk to the dog.

In our Rally class you will:

• Learn the Novice & Intermediate signs. Your dog will be in a crate while you do this part, known as a walk-through
• Work together with your dog on-leash to execute 10-14 command signs such as sit, down, stay, turns and movements
• Move at a brisk pace as Rally is a timed sport

To improve your finishes, leash & heeling skills, we suggest taking Advanced Obedience & Leash Skills or Obedience & Rally - Focus & Heeling Dog Training concurrently or before beginning your Rally journey.

Classes should be repeated to become proficient in all skills before advancing to the next level class.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite:  Dogs must be at least 6 months of age prior to the start of first class. Completion of one of the following: Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title, Advanced Obedience & Leash Skills or Obedience & Rally - Focus & Heeling Dog Training.

What to bring to class: Flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6 foot leash, high-value treats, treat pouch, water, a crate is required (we recommend a collapsible one). No e-collars or retractable leashes.  

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

Scent Work, also called nose work, Intermediate training is designed for dogs who are already working with odor and/or pairing and want to refine their skills for AKC Scent Work and other trialing organizations.

In this class, dog and handler teams will focus on improving key skills such as:

• Change of behaviors and reward timing
• Leash handling and handler body movement
• Task at hand focus enhancing the dog's drive to odor

Whether you're preparing for a Scent Work competition or simply want to elevate your dog's abilities, this class will help strengthen your performance.

Classes should be repeated to become proficient in all skills before advancing to the next level class.

Prerequisite: Completion and instructor referral from Scent Work Beginner Training class.

Price: $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays.

What to bring to class: Flat or martingale, or harness, at least a 10-foot leash (must be easy to take on and off), high-value treats, treat pouch, water, and a crate is required (we recommend a collapsible one). No e-collars, or pull harnesses restricting the shoulders, or retractable leashes.

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

Fit Dog Conditioning class is about improving and maintaining the fitness and health our dogs. Our class is based on the AKC FIT Dog program designed to provide skills that you and your dog can do together.

• This class helps your dog build strength, body awareness, and confidence through short, engaging fitness sessions
• We focus on proper form, controlled movement, and foundation skills—just like in human fitness!
• Perfect for dogs 18 months and older, this class keeps training playful while teaching your dog to move in new and healthy ways
• Benefits include mental and physical stimulation, increased strength, flexibility, balance and coordination for your dog

This class counts for 3 points in one of the two categories required to earn an AKC FIT Dog title. Our Fit Dog Walks are another way to earn title points, view schedule here. Visit the AKC website to understand all the opportunities and levels of AKC FIT Dog titles.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Beginner Obedience class or equivalent skill level. This class is not for puppies under 18 months, dogs recovering from an injury, in pain or morbidly obese. Please check with your Vet for suggestions.

What to bring to class: Flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6 foot leash, high value treats, treat pouch, water, 2 balance pads like those found here and a positive attitude! No e-collars or retractable leashes.

Cancellation & Refunds: 

Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

Help support the January 2027 Santa Clara Dog Training Club Rally & Obedience Trial by sponsoring the 1st through 4th place rosettes. Your sponsorship helps us recognize the accomplishments of trial participants and their dogs while supporting our club’s annual trial event.  

All donations will be recognized in our catalog and with signs at the trial. Consider sponsoring a ribbon in honor of a special dog, friend, instructor, or simply to show your support for the sport. 

After registration, please email registration@santaclaradog.org with how your sponsorship should appear in media and signage.

Thank you for helping make our trial a success!

Help support the January 2027 Santa Clara Dog Training Club Rally & Obedience Trial by sponsoring the 1st through 4th place small rosettes. Your sponsorship helps us recognize the accomplishments of trial participants and their dogs while supporting our club’s annual trial event.  

All donations will be recognized in our catalog and with signs at the trial. Consider sponsoring a ribbon in honor of a special dog, friend, instructor, or simply to show your support for the sport. 

After registration, please email registration@santaclaradog.org with how your sponsorship should appear in media and signage.

Thank you for helping make our trial a success!