Sportsmen’s Dog Training Club of Detroit, Inc.

Training is offered in structured, multi-week group classes organized by skill level: Puppy Head Start (S.T.A.R. Junior/Senior and Kindergarten), Beginner, Canine Good Citizen, Heeling, Novice, Open & Utility, Rally, Agility, Scent Work, Trick Dog, and Conformation. Classes meet weekly on scheduled days and times throughout the year, with sessions starting in January, March, April, June, August, and September 2026. Each class has a set curriculum and ends with an evaluation or optional AKC title testing. Practice matches and AKC trials are held periodically for advanced students.

Pricing Summary

Class prices range from $100 to $125 for 4- to 7-week sessions. Puppy Kindergarten is $115 for 6 weeks; Puppy S.T.A.R. is $125 for 7 weeks. Trick Dog is $100 for 4 weeks. Conformation classes are $10 per walk-in session. Practice matches cost $6 for the first run and $4 for a second run. Discounts are available for rescue dogs. No refunds after the first class.

Policies

No refunds are given after the first class. Classes may be canceled due to weather or facility issues; updates are posted on their website. Dogs with biting, lunging, or snapping behaviors are not permitted in group classes. Owners must vaccinate dogs against Canine Influenza and are encouraged to bring their own water bowls.

Sportsmen’s Dog Training Club of Detroit, Inc. is a long-standing dog training facility in Warren, MI, founded in 1942 and recognized as Michigan’s oldest dog training club. They offer a wide range of group training classes for dogs of all ages and skill levels, including Puppy Head Start, Canine Good Citizen, obedience (Novice, Open, Utility), Rally, Agility, Scent Work, Trick Dog, and Conformation. Their 7,500 square foot heated and air-conditioned facility features padded rubber floors for safety and comfort. They welcome both purebred and mixed-breed dogs through the AKC Canine Partners program and provide discounts for rescue dogs. Classes are led by experienced instructors with decades of combined expertise in dog training and competition. The club also hosts AKC-sanctioned trials in Obedience, Rally, Agility, and Scent Work, and offers practice matches for members to refine skills.

They emphasize positive, structured training methods and provide detailed handouts and resources for owners. The facility is clean, well-maintained, and free of odor issues. While they do not offer grooming, boarding, or walking services, they focus exclusively on training and competition preparation. They encourage owners to vaccinate dogs against Canine Influenza and recommend bringing personal water bowls to class. Group classes are not suitable for dogs with biting, lunging, or snapping behaviors, and owners are advised to consult a behaviorist in such cases.

Accomplishments

Founded in 1942, Sportsmen’s Dog Training Club is Michigan’s oldest dog training club. They host AKC-sanctioned trials in Obedience, Rally, Agility, and Scent Work. Instructors have decades of combined experience in dog training and competition. The club is affiliated with the American Kennel Club and offers AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Trick Dog testing.

How to Get Started!

Prospective students can review class offerings on the website, select a class based on their dog’s age and skill level, and register online. For closed classes, they may call Barb Popyk at 586-754-DOGS (3647) to be placed on a waitlist. New students should review class rules and handouts before attending.