Obedience Class Descriptions
Companion, Rally, and Specialty obedience classes for all skill levels — from first-time dogs to competition-ready teams.
← Back to Obedience RegistrationObedience Class Descriptions
← Back to Obedience RegistrationBrowse PDTC obedience classes by category. Companion classes build foundational manners and skills for everyday life. Specialty classes explore tricks, rally, and therapy work. Competition classes prepare teams for formal AKC titles.
Obedience Companion
Foundation manners and obedience skills for puppies and adult dogs. From first lessons through advanced obedience and CGC preparation.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Max 8 teamsFor puppies approximately 9 weeks to 5 months old, this class helps owners start young dogs with the skills needed to become polite family companions. Work includes leash manners, sit and down, handling by the owner and others, impulse control such as wait, restrained recalls, house-training tips, socialization, and problem-solving for puppy behaviors. The class is also a starting point for families thinking about future therapy-dog work, and dogs may be tested for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification at the end of the course if eligible.
Prerequisites & Notes
At least one set of puppy vaccinations; kennel cough/flu recommended; no training prerequisite.
Beginner 1
Max 8 teamsThis is the first adult-dog class for dogs over 5 months of age and the next step for puppies that have completed AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy. The class introduces or reinforces basic obedience and household manners, including sit, stay, down, wait, come, and loose-leash walking. It also addresses common unwanted behaviors such as jumping, leash pulling, chewing, and adolescent behavior challenges. The normal next step after this class is Beginner 2.
Prerequisites & Notes
Adult dogs must be vaccinated; no training prerequisite; evaluation may be required.
Beginner 2
Max 8 teamsThis class continues the Beginner 1 curriculum for puppies and adult dogs that have completed Beginner 1. The same core behaviors are practiced with added difficulty and distractions, including sit, stay, down, wait, and come. Teams also work on proofing known behaviors, linking behaviors into sequences, loose-leash walking, place, leave it, and problem-solving for behaviors such as jumping, pulling, chewing, and adolescence-related challenges. The normal next step is Intermediate Obedience.
Prerequisites & Notes
Beginner 1; adult dogs must be vaccinated; evaluation may be required.
Intermediate / CGC Prep
Max 10 teamsThis class continues from Beginner 2 and develops stronger obedience and manners under increased difficulty and distraction. Teams continue building sit, down, stay, wait, and recalls, while adding higher-level behaviors such as heel and eye contact. The class also introduces and practices the skills needed for the AKC Canine Good Citizen title.
Prerequisites & Notes
Beginner 2 or instructor/Obedience Director permission.
Advanced Intermediate 1
Max 10 teamsThis class continues from Intermediate/CGC Prep and introduces higher-level obedience skills under increased difficulty and distraction. Work includes off-leash control, advanced stays, heel patterns, and skills that prepare teams for the competition obedience track or more advanced companion work.
Prerequisites & Notes
Intermediate/CGC Prep or permission of instructor or Obedience Director.
Advanced Intermediate 2
Max 10 teamsA continuation of Advanced Intermediate 1, this class further develops off-leash reliability, heeling, and obedience behaviors under real-world distraction. Teams refine the skills needed to move into competition-level classes or to excel as highly trained companion dogs.
Prerequisites & Notes
Advanced Intermediate 1 or permission of instructor or Obedience Director.
Obedience Specialty
Specialty classes for dogs that have foundational obedience. Explore tricks, rally, therapy work, and continuing education.
Trick Dog
Max 8 teamsThis class teaches the skills needed for AKC Trick Dog titles at Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. Handlers learn positive-reinforcement training methods such as luring, capturing, and shaping to teach tricks and build a fun working relationship with their dog. Dogs in the same class may be working at different trick-title levels, and handlers are encouraged to review AKC Trick Dog requirements.
Prerequisites & Notes
Beginner 2 or instructor/Obedience Director permission.
Rally for Fun
Max 8 teamsThis non-competitive rally class uses rally signs as a fun way to strengthen obedience and teamwork. It is intended for handlers who enjoy learning and training with their dogs but may not want to enter trials. Teams use rally exercises to fine-tune beginner obedience skills, while also working on front-end and rear-end awareness, engagement games, and building a positive handler-dog relationship.
Prerequisites & Notes
Beginner 2 or instructor/Obedience Director permission.
Intro to Animal Therapy / CGC
Max 8 teamsThis class is the first step in a two-step process for teams interested in therapy-dog work and AIR Dog certification. It explains the differences among emotional support animals, therapy dogs, and working service dogs, along with the benefits of therapy-dog work and common visit settings. Teams are introduced to skills needed for therapy visits and the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, including polite greetings, coming when called, and calm responses to distractions. Dogs may be eligible to take the CGC test at the end if they are at least one year old by the test date.
Prerequisites & Notes
Beginner and Intermediate classes; dog must be at least 1 year old by CGC testing date.
Therapy Dog Evaluation Prep
Max 8 teamsThis class is for dogs with solid basic obedience and manners who have completed Intro to Animal Therapy/CGC. It provides more advanced preparation for therapy-dog evaluation and public visits, including work around medical equipment, polite greetings with people using crutches, walkers, or canes, and appropriate visiting behavior around wheelchairs or other mobility equipment. Teams also focus on professional public walking and may be paired with a certified test dog to prepare for visits involving other dogs.
Prerequisites & Notes
Dog must be at least 1 year old and must have completed Intro to Animal Therapy/CGC.
Canine Continued Education
Max 8 teamsThis class is for teams that have successfully completed Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 and want to keep training active and enjoyable. Work may include obedience, rally, tricks, games, and other activities that maintain skills while keeping training fun. The class also introduces foundation skills that can help teams move into future competition classes if they choose.
Prerequisites & Notes
Beginner 2 or instructor/Obedience Director permission.
Obedience Competition
Structured preparation for AKC rally and obedience titles. From foundation skills through Utility and Rally Masters.
Foundation Skills for Rally and Obedience
Max 8 teamsThis class introduces skills used in both rally and competition obedience. Work includes elements such as the pop-up stand, down in motion, finishes in both directions, backing up in heel position, and other shared rally/obedience behaviors. Dogs are also introduced to the three jumps used in rally and competition obedience. Engagement games and building a strong working connection with the dog are part of the class.
Prerequisites & Notes
At least one PDTC beginner obedience class or equivalent; dog should be controllable around dogs and people; not appropriate for aggression issues.
Teaching Novice 1
Max 8 teamsTeaching Novice is a foundation class that introduces competition heelwork and behaviors used in AKC Competition Obedience. Part 1 covers focused attention (stationary and moving), hind end awareness, stays, impulse control, and engagement games. The goal is to teach advanced skills while building the dog's enthusiasm and a solid handler-dog relationship. Dogs should already know sit, down, stay, and come. Not open to reactive or aggressive dogs.
Prerequisites & Notes
Foundation Skills for Rally and Obedience, or permission of instructor or Obedience Director.
Teaching Novice 2
Max 8 teamsA continuation of Teaching Novice 1, this class builds on the foundation behaviors introduced in Part 1 and adds more difficulty and refinement. Teams continue developing focused heeling, stays, and competition-level obedience behaviors in preparation for Novice ring work. Not open to reactive or aggressive dogs.
Prerequisites & Notes
Teaching Novice 1, or permission of instructor or Obedience Director.
Novice
Max 8 teamsThis is a ring-preparation competition obedience class for teams getting ready for Beginner Novice and Novice obedience trials. The class covers rules, ring procedure, and the formal exercises required at those levels. Teams polish and proof the exercises, and run-throughs may be conducted when time allows.
Prerequisites & Notes
Teaching Novice or instructor/Obedience Director permission.
Open
Max 8 teamsThis class teaches foundation skills for the AKC Open exercises used to earn a Companion Dog Excellent title. A major focus is dumbbell work, including take, hold, and carry. The class also covers off-leash heeling, retrieving, the broad jump, and the drop on recall.
Prerequisites & Notes
Fluency in Novice skills or instructor/Obedience Director permission.
Utility
Max 8 teamsThis class teaches foundation skills for AKC Utility exercises used to earn a Utility Dog Excellent title. Work includes hand signals, scent discrimination, and directed jumping.
Prerequisites & Notes
Dog should know AKC Open exercises or have instructor/Obedience Director permission.
Rally Novice and Advanced
Max 8 teamsThis class teaches the signs needed for AKC Rally Novice and Rally Advanced titles. Teams learn the applicable rules, regulations, and handling tips. Novice signs are introduced and incorporated into short courses for practice.
Prerequisites & Notes
Beginner 2 or instructor/Obedience Director permission.
Rally Excellent and Masters
Max 8 teamsThis class teaches the signs needed for AKC Rally Excellent and AKC Rally Master titles. Teams learn applicable rules, regulations, and handling tips. Excellent and Master signs are introduced and put into short practice courses.
Prerequisites & Notes
AKC Advanced title or instructor/Obedience Director permission.