Twin Cities Obedience Training Club

TCOTC offers a comprehensive range of training programs, structured from foundational puppy and basic obedience to advanced competition and specialized skills. Puppy classes include Puppy Socialization for the youngest pups, Tweeners for older puppies, and Puppy Basic Training for puppies up to 10 months, covering house manners, socialization, and basic commands. Basic Training is available for dogs 12 weeks and older, focusing on fundamental obedience skills.

Continuing obedience education is divided into Tier 2 and Tier 3 classes. Tier 2 addresses adolescent behaviors, household and public manners, reliable recall, impulse control, tricks, and general skill reinforcement. Tier 3 focuses on competitive obedience and dog sports, including advanced obedience, rally, agility, flyball, tracking, conformation, and freestyle. Specialized behavior classes like “Changing Attitudes” address focus and confidence issues, while “Gundog Training Workshops” and “Camera Ready” offer unique skill development.

Many programs require prerequisites, such as completion of prior TCOTC classes or a successful skills evaluation for new students. Some popular classes, like Agility and Competition Bedrock, have waitlists, and specific behavior services are currently not accepting new clients. TCOTC also offers a “Dogs and Storks” class to help families prepare their dogs for a new baby.

Pricing Summary

Membership is required to take classes at TCOTC, costing $35 annually ($25 for students aged 16 and older). Class fees vary by program length and type. For example, a 9-class session like Competition Bedrock costs $180, while a 4-class puppy session is $90. Conformation classes are priced per session at $10 for members and $12 for non-members. An in-person assessment for the Therapy Dog Program costs $8.00. TCOTC operates as a nonprofit organization.

Policies

Membership is mandatory for all classes at TCOTC. The club maintains a strict positive reinforcement training philosophy, prohibiting choke, prong, and electronic collars; only flat buckle collars, martingale collars, front-clip harnesses, and head halters are permitted. Policies regarding female dogs in season and children in class are available for review.

For littermates or housemates, it is strongly recommended that they enroll and train in separate classes to minimize distractions. Specific classes, such as “Changing Attitudes,” are not designed for dogs fearful of people. Currently, TCOTC is not accepting new behavior clients but provides a referral list for other resources. Agility classes are at capacity, with placement requests not being considered until Fall 2025.

Twin Cities Obedience Training Club (TCOTC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the bond between dog owners and their pets. They offer a wide array of training opportunities, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, all while adhering to positive reinforcement and operant conditioning principles. TCOTC instructors bring many years of experience to their classes.

A key advantage of TCOTC is their strict adherence to positive training methods, explicitly prohibiting the use of choke, pinch, or shock collars. The club provides classes and trial opportunities across major dog sports, operating as a volunteer-powered organization driven by a love for dogs.

TCOTC also accommodates agility teams trained elsewhere and offers facility rental services. They focus on fostering a positive relationship between dogs and their handlers, supported by a team of experienced staff, dedicated assistants, and volunteers.

Accomplishments

TCOTC has been recognized for its contributions, including welcoming new board member Jan Wagner and honoring Sara Brokaw and Christina Wessel with awards. Lisa Nawrocki has been appointed as the Agility Department Head. The club’s staff has been well-represented at the AKC National Agility Championships, with several instructors qualifying and competing in the event. Katina Stamp, a CPDT-KA certified trainer, presents the Gundog Training Workshops.

How to Get Started!

To begin training at TCOTC, most new students are required to complete a Skills Self Assessment or a specific application form, depending on the desired class (e.g., Agility Skills Assessment, Changing Attitudes Application, Beginning Flyball Application). For Basic Training, a mandatory orientation video and questionnaire must be completed prior to the class start. The Therapy Dog Program requires an in-person assessment before enrollment. Membership is a prerequisite for all classes.