Red River Obedience Training Club

Red River Obedience Training Club offers a range of group classes designed to teach owners how to train their dogs for various purposes, from basic household manners to AKC competition titles. Classes are typically 4 to 6 weeks long, with each session lasting approximately one hour.

Puppy classes include Puppy Kindergarten (for puppies 3-6 months) focusing on basic obedience, socialization, and problem behaviors, and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class (for puppies 3-12 months) which is an enhanced class following AKC syllabus. Basic obedience classes include “Good Dog!” Class (for dogs 6 months and older) covering fundamental household skills, Beginner I Class (for dogs 6 months and older) teaching foundational obedience for home and competition, and Beginner II Class (for dogs 7 months and older who completed Beginner I) to polish skills and prepare for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

Additional classes include AKC Canine Good Citizen (for dogs 6 months and older) focusing on ten essential skills for a well-behaved dog, Focus and Engagement (for dogs 6 months and older who completed Beginner I) using games to build focus, and Scent Work Class (for members and non-members with instructor approval) for mental and physical exercise. Fun classes like Trick Class are also offered. Advanced AKC Obedience Classes (Beginner Novice, Novice, Open, Utility) and Rally classes are available for those interested in competition, requiring successful completion of basic series or instructor approval. Conformation training is also mentioned.

Pricing Summary

Class costs vary: Puppy Kindergarten is $100 for 4 weeks, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class is $150 for 6 weeks, “Good Dog!” Class is $100 for 4 weeks, Beginner I Class is $150 for 6 weeks (includes training collar), Beginner II Class is $100 for 4 weeks (or $150 for 6 weeks in another mention), AKC Canine Good Citizen is $100 for 4 weeks, Focus and Engagement is $100 for 4 weeks, Scent Work Class is $50 for members and $100 for non-members for 4 weeks, Beginner Novice Class is $100 for 4 weeks, and Novice Class is $100 for 4 weeks. Rally is $100 for 4 weeks.

A $50 nonrefundable deposit is required for registration due to no-shows. There are no refunds for classes. Discounts are available: 10% off for Military and First Responders, 25% off any one class for rescue dogs with adoption papers, 50% off any class repeated within three months, 10% off for multiple handlers from the same family in the same class, and 50% off all classes for active club members. Discounts cannot be combined. Class fees are subject to change based on equipment prices.

Policies

RROTC has a strict no-refund policy for classes. There are no individual make-up classes for missed sessions; clients are advised to observe the class without their dog if the dog is ill or in season, or to ask the instructor what to work on at home. In case of storm warnings or unsafe highways, classes will be postponed, and clients will be notified via phone.

Dogs that are ill or females in season (heat) are not permitted in class. Owners are expected to clean up after their dogs both inside and outside the facility. Children under 12 are not recommended to train dogs and must be supervised by an additional adult if observing. Dogs must be kept close to the owner and not allowed to approach or play with other dogs. The club reserves the right to require a muzzle or expel an uncontrollable dog. A $30 service fee applies to returned checks.

Red River Obedience Training Club (RROTC) is a non-profit 501(c)4, AKC sanctioned club, founded in 1959. They are dedicated to encouraging obedience training for all dogs, both purebred and mixed breeds. Their mission is to help every person have a well-trained dog and every dog have a well-trained person.

RROTC focuses on teaching owners how to train their dogs, rather than training the dogs themselves. They emphasize that owners are expected to practice 10 to 15 minutes twice a day what is shown in class. Their instructors are volunteers who are dedicated members with obedience titles on their own dogs and are required to attend obedience seminars to gain new skills.

The club offers a variety of classes from puppy kindergarten to advanced obedience and rally, including preparation for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen tests. They also host AKC licensed obedience and rally trials.

Benefits of training classes include a more obedient, well-behaved, and confident dog, a more knowledgeable owner, and a stronger bond between dog and owner. They also offer membership benefits such as discounted classes, members-only practice sessions, and the option to keep a crate at the facility.

Accomplishments

Red River Obedience Training Club is a non-profit 501(c)4, AKC sanctioned club, founded in 1959. Their instructors are volunteers who have achieved obedience titles on their own dogs and are required to attend obedience seminars to stay current with training skills. The club offers AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), and Community Canine programs, and has a Certified tester on hand for CGC tests given twice yearly. They also host AKC licensed Obedience and Rally trials.

How to Get Started!

To register for a class, clients should choose the appropriate class, then click the “Register Here” link for that class to complete an online form. This form requires uploading the dog’s shot records. A $50 nonrefundable deposit is required, payable via PayPal or by contacting the club for other arrangements.

Orientation is required and is held 30 minutes prior to the first class. Clients must bring payment (check, cash, or PayPal confirmation) and vaccination records (core vaccines and rabies certificate; puppies need at least two rounds of puppy shots, and those over 4 months need a rabies certificate). Shot records can also be emailed to rrotcorientation@gmail.com. Clients will receive an email a few days before class with additional information and a calendar invite.