Iron Range Dog Training Club

Classes are offered in structured weekly sessions, including Puppy, Obedience, Rally, Agility, and Scent Work. Programs are designed for progressive skill-building, with Beginner and Advanced levels. Classes meet on scheduled nights (e.g., Rally on Thursday nights). Training is group-based, with no private or intensive one-on-one options. Seminars and trials are offered periodically throughout the year.

Pricing Summary

Pricing details are not publicly listed; registration is handled through forms on the website. Membership and class fees are likely low-cost due to the nonprofit, volunteer-run structure. Donations are requested to support facility repairs.

Policies

No explicit cancellation or rescheduling policies are stated on the website. Registration is handled via forms, and class availability appears to be first-come, first-served. Membership and class participation require completion of official forms.

Iron Range Dog Training Club is a community-based dog training organization offering group classes and training programs for dog owners in the Iron Range region of Minnesota. They provide a variety of training programs including Puppy, Obedience (Beginner), Rally (Beginner and Advanced), Agility (All levels), Sports Foundations, and Youth classes. Their trainers use positive, reward-based methods to enhance the bond between dogs and owners, with a focus on behavior modification and understanding dog behavior. The club is run by experienced, volunteer trainers who have earned multiple titles in AKC, UKC, and CPE events across obedience, rally, agility, conformation, earthdog, and scent work. The facility is located in a shared space and has been restored after water damage in 2024. They also offer seminars, trials, and events such as Canine Scent Sport and Tracking workshops. Some trainers are certified evaluators for Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog titles, and one trainer teaches Scent Work. The club supports community involvement through membership, volunteerism, and fundraising for facility maintenance.

Trainers include Sheila Joseph (Rally), Debbie Motley (Conformation, Puppy, Rally), Carol Cheney (Puppy, behavior, pack leadership), Jane Lehtinen (Obedience, Agility, Rally), Scott Dahlquist (Skijorring/Canicross), John and Kathy Perusich (Obedience, Rally, Agility), Karlyn Berg (Scent Work, Tracking), and Penny Uber (Hunt Test Judge, CGC Evaluator). Many trainers have over 15–40 years of experience with multiple breeds and competition titles.

The club is not a commercial business but a member-run nonprofit organization focused on education and community. They rely on donations to maintain their facility and offer classes at affordable rates. They do not offer private in-home training, boarding, grooming, or day care services.

All training occurs at their facility, with classes held on weekdays and weekends, primarily in the evenings and afternoons.

They are affiliated with AKC and other national dog organizations, and their trainers have earned titles through AKC, UKC, and CPE.

The club encourages membership and provides resources like class registration forms, constitution/bylaws, and monthly meeting minutes for transparency.

Accomplishments

Trainers have earned multiple AKC, UKC, and CPE titles in obedience, rally, agility, conformation, earthdog, and tracking. Some have earned CD, UD, UDX, OTCH, and Champion titles. Carol Cheney’s dogs have earned top titles in AKC Earthdog and Verastility. John and Kathy Perusich’s dogs were ranked in the top 5 Siberian Huskies in Canadian obedience and invited to AKC Nationals four years in a row. Karlyn Berg’s dogs have earned Tracking Dog titles and Therapy Dog certification. Several trainers are certified Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog evaluators.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can review class descriptions, register via the online registration form, and contact the club by phone at 218.749.HEEL (4335) for more information. Classes begin in January and are offered seasonally.