High Desert Obedience Club

HiDOC offers structured 5–7 week group training sessions for all levels: Puppy Pre-School (up to 10 months), Basic Novice (6+ months), CGC (requires Basic Novice completion), Rally (limited to 6 students), Scentwork (limited to 8 students), and Tricks (limited to 10 students). Classes meet weekly in the evening. Week one of Basic Novice is handler-only orientation. CGC testing is included in the course and offered at week five. All classes use positive reinforcement and require proof of vaccinations. Minimum class sizes apply to proceed.

Pricing Summary

Group classes cost $60–$90 for 5–7 week sessions. CGC training is $60 for 6 weeks; Tricks is $60 for 5 weeks; Puppy and Basic Novice are $90 for 7 weeks. Discounts available for military, first responders, seniors, shelter dogs, and fosters. Pre-registration offers up to $10 off. Cancellations within one week of class start are refundable minus a $25 fee.

Policies

Cancellations within one week of class start are refundable minus a $25 fee. Classes require a minimum number of students to proceed. Vaccinations for Rabies, Parvo, and Distemper are mandatory. Prong collars are allowed in Rally but not in Tricks. Harnesses are not permitted in Rally.

High Desert Obedience Club (HiDOC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1981 in Lancaster, California, dedicated to promoting responsible dog ownership through group training classes and community events. HiDOC offers a range of obedience programs including Puppy Pre-School, Basic Novice, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification, Rally, Scentwork, and Tricks, all using positive reinforcement methods. Classes are held outdoors at SGT. Steve Owens Memorial Park and are led by experienced, AKC-certified trainers, including Michelle Clifton and Angelique Milillo, who have over 10 and 7 years of hands-on experience respectively. HiDOC also supports therapy dog preparation and connects owners to community service opportunities. Membership is available for dog owners, breeders, and competitors seeking to engage in local events. Discounts are offered for military, first responders, seniors, shelter dogs, and fosters. The club emphasizes building confidence and strong bonds between dogs and owners through structured, fun, and educational training.

HiDOC provides group classes only, with no private, in-home, or board-and-train services. They require proof of Rabies, Parvo, and Distemper vaccinations for all dogs. Classes are held in 6–7 week sessions with limited enrollment to ensure quality instruction. HiDOC also partners with A Better Way Pet Care for in-person class sign-ups and provides downloadable forms for registration.

The organization is active in the Antelope Valley and offers ongoing community engagement through monthly meetings at Denny’s in Lancaster and social media updates on Instagram during winter breaks.

Accomplishments

Trainers are AKC-certified and include Michelle Clifton, an AKC CGC evaluator and Animal Behavior College-certified trainer with over 10 years of experience, and Angelique Milillo, with over 7 years of puppy training experience. HiDOC has been operating since 1981 and offers AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and CGC certification programs.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must download and complete a class sign-up form from the HiDOC Forms page. Registration is done in advance, with pre-registration offering a discount. In-person sign-ups are available at A Better Way Pet Care in Lancaster. New students must bring vaccination records and attend the first class with their dog (except Basic Novice, where the dog joins in week two).