North Shore Dog Training Club

Classes are 1 hour long and held weekly in 6-week sessions. S.T.A.R. Puppy Class is offered every other session for puppies up to one year, culminating in an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test. Rally Obedience follows a course of stations with instructions. Novice Obedience prepares dogs for AKC trials, and Advanced Obedience targets CDX title preparation. All classes use volunteer instructors with competition experience. Training progresses from basics to advanced obedience with consistent weekly structure.

Pricing Summary

Members pay $60 per 6-week session. Non-members pay $150 for the first session, $120 for the second, and $100 for the third. Half-price for a second dog from the same family or a second class for the same dog. Waiver required for first class. No discounts for non-members beyond the third session. No mention of refunds or payment plans.

Policies

New students must complete and bring a Training Waiver to the first class. Waiver must be completed annually. No mention of cancellation, rescheduling, or make-up policies. Attendance is required for all sessions to progress.

North Shore Dog Training Club is the oldest AKC member obedience training club in the United States, offering group training classes for dog owners in the North Shore area of Illinois. The club provides structured, volunteer-instructor-led classes including S.T.A.R. Puppy Class for puppies up to one year old, Rally Obedience, Novice Obedience, and Advanced Obedience. The S.T.A.R. Puppy Class, led by AKC Canine Good Citizen Approved Evaluator Hope Saidel, prepares puppies for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program and includes a final test with certification and an AKC welcome package. Classes are held weekly at The Dog Stop in Deerfield, IL, and focus on positive, reward-based training aligned with AKC standards. Members receive discounted class rates and access to exclusive events like annual Obedience and Rally Trials, Dancing with Dogs, picnics, and Club Nites. The club fosters a community of dog owners interested in competition, socialization, and lifelong training.

The club does not offer private, in-home, board-and-train, or day training services. All training occurs in a group facility setting. Membership is available after six months of attending classes (or three months for experienced trainees), providing cost savings and access to a private Facebook group. The club also sells branded apparel via a Cafe Press store and promotes ongoing learning through AKC newsletters and events.

The training methods emphasize positive reinforcement, with instructors experienced in AKC competition rules. The club supports dogs of all sizes and breeds through structured, progressive class levels, with a strong focus on foundational obedience, recall, leash walking, and socialization.

The club does not offer grooming, boarding, walking, daycare, or pet supply services beyond apparel sales. Insurance, free consultations, and video training are not mentioned.

The club has hosted 84 All-Breed Obedience Trials and 19 Rally Trials, demonstrating long-standing community involvement and expertise in competitive obedience.

Classes are held Monday through Saturday evenings, with S.T.A.R. Puppy and Rally at 7:00 pm and Novice and Advanced at 8:00 pm. New students must complete a training waiver before the first class. The club serves Skokie, Deerfield, and surrounding North Shore communities in Illinois.

Accomplishments

North Shore Dog Training Club is the oldest AKC member obedience training club in the United States. Has hosted 84 All-Breed Obedience Trials and 19 Rally Trials. Instructor Hope Saidel is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Approved Evaluator. The club offers AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification and maintains AKC records for participants.

How to Get Started!

Prospective students must call 847-677-0680 during business hours (9 am–5 pm, Mon–Sat) to inquire or sign up. Must download, print, and complete the Training Waiver before the first class. Attend the first class at The Dog Stop, 495 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL. No formal evaluation is mentioned; enrollment is based on class availability and waiver completion.