St Paul Dog Training Club

St. Paul Dog Training Club offers a wide range of classes including Obedience, Rally, Agility, and Nose Work. Agility classes are designed in a specific sequence from Beginners to Advanced, requiring instructor assessment for progression. Puppy classes are available for young dogs, focusing on socialization, manners, and basic skills.

Obedience classes range from Puppy Einstein (8-16 weeks) and Puppy Etiquette (16-24 weeks) to Beginner, Novice, Open, and Utility levels, preparing dogs for companion life or AKC competition. Rally classes introduce and advance skills for the AKC Rally sport. Nose Work classes, inspired by detection dogs, focus on scenting activities, building confidence and focus, with options for Foundations, Continuing Nose Work, Drop-in Workshops, and Group Coaching sessions.

Most classes require a SPDTC Membership. Dogs work individually in Nose Work classes, resting in crates between turns. Private agility lessons are not offered.

Pricing Summary

Agility classes are $205 for a 10-week block. Obedience and Rally drop-in classes cost $15 per class, or a package of 10 classes can be purchased for $120, valid for a full year. Puppy Einstein and Puppy Etiquette classes are $160 for a 6-week session.

Competition Puppy Obedience is $160 for an 8-week class. Beginner Obedience Level 1 & 2 are $170 for 8 weeks. Open Skills Class, Utility Skills 1 & 2 are $160 for 8 weeks. Preparation for AKC Canine Good Citizen Test is $40 for two one-hour sessions. Rally Introduction and Rally Intermediate are $125 for five-week classes. Nose Work ongoing classes are $165 per 6-class block, while drop-in workshops and group coaching prices vary.

Policies

In case of inclement weather, students are notified via email, Facebook, or by calling the club phone number (651-455-2431). Cancelled classes are not refunded but a credit is applied to student accounts for future classes.

Dogs must be on leash when not working and handlers must maintain full control. Dogs demonstrating unprovoked aggression may be expelled. Junior handlers under 16 require prior approval and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Owners must clean up after their dogs, both inside and out, using designated areas and receptacles. Dogs should adhere to a veterinarian-developed vaccination protocol, and sick dogs should not be brought to the facility. Bitches in season may attend regular classes if wearing a garment and if not a distraction; instructors may excuse them, and missed classes may be credited to the next section (up to three classes per heat cycle). Bitches in Season are not allowed during SPDTC sponsored events.

In agility classes, only one dog per work area may be off leash at a time, and dogs should be leashed, tethered, or crated when not working. Crating space is available for students on a first-come, first-served basis.

Since 1953, the St. Paul Dog Training Club (SPDTC) has provided high-quality instruction for all dogs and their owners in a professional and respectful environment. As one of the longest established dog training clubs in the Midwest, SPDTC offers an ongoing and well-recognized tradition of dog training classes and canine competitive events.

SPDTC provides classes for individuals seeking a well-mannered companion animal, as well as for those aiming to achieve all levels of obedience, agility, rally, and nose work competition with their dogs. It operates as a not-for-profit organization, managed by a volunteer board whose members contribute their time and expertise to ensure high-quality classes and an encouraging atmosphere for canine companions to excel.

Accomplishments

St. Paul Dog Training Club (SPDTC) was established in 1953, making it one of the longest established dog training clubs in the Midwest. It is an AKC affiliated Training Club. The club is a not-for-profit organization run by a volunteer board. Several Nose Work instructors hold the CNWI certification.

How to Get Started!

To get started, dog owners can explore the club calendar for schedule details or contact the relevant program administrator (e.g., Agility@spdtc.com, Obedience@spdtc.com, spdtcnwjb@gmail.com for Nose Work). For ongoing Nose Work classes, there is a waitlist form to register.

Many classes require pre-registration online via the DogBizPro client portal. A SPDTC Membership is required for all Agility and Nose Work classes, and can be joined or renewed online. For Obedience and Rally drop-in classes, pre-registration is required, and credits can be purchased in packages.