Develop a better relationship with your dog through HSSC’s K-9 Obedience Training Courses. These group courses help strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners through education and positive training. We offer courses for learning basic manners, earning a Canine Good Citizen certificate, and training to perform pet therapy.
Our courses are taught by experienced trainers and are offered at significantly lower prices than other classes in the area. Our classes run $95 per six-week session. And all HSSC adopters receive a $10 discount on their first course! Courses are held in the training center of our brand-new facility (still located at 2331 15th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237).
We encourage you to enroll your dog early. If we have fewer than three students enrolled, we will cancel the course and you will get a full refund.
All upcoming courses and dates are listed below. Click "REGISTER HERE" beside the course you want to register for to access its unique registration form.
For everyone's safety, we only permit one dog per handler. Due to COVID-19, only the handler can attend the course with the dog and everyone must wear a face mask, per Sarasota County Ordinance. No spectators will be permitted.
If your dog is reactive to people or other dogs, a group class may not be an option. Please contact Ginny Armington at 941.955.4131 x114 to discuss options for you and your dog.
Puppy Class
Early socialization and training can prevent all kinds of behavior problems down the line. Our Puppy Class is a safe, small-group environment for puppies to begin their obedience journey. They'll work on basic commands and becoming comfortable in new environments. Appropriate for puppies ages 8-16 weeks. All puppies must remain on leashes for the entire class. Owner must show proof that first vaccines have been administered at least 10 days before class starts. This course consists of six one-hour classes and will meet once a week unless otherwise noted. Capacity: 6 Dogs. Fee: $95
Start Date | Finish Date | Time | Registration Form |
Tuesday, February 2 | Tuesday, March 9 | 10am–11am | REGISTER NOW |
Tuesday, March 23 | Tuesday, April 27 | 10am–11am | REGISTER NOW |
Tuesday, May 4 | Tuesday, June 8 | 10am–11am | REGISTER NOW |
Tuesday, June 22 | Tuesday, July 27 | 10am–11am | COMING SOON |
Tuesday, August 3 | Tuesday, September 7 | 10am–11am | COMING SOON |
Tuesday, September 14 | Tuesday, October 19 | 10am–11am | COMING SOON |
Tuesday, October 26 | Tuesday, November 30 | 10am–11am | COMING SOON |
Basic Obedience 1
Learn how to teach your dog how to behave in your household. Positive reinforcement is used to teach your dog such commands as sit, down, come, stay, and also walking on a leash. Appropriate for dogs ages 16 weeks and older. This course consists of six one-hour classes and will meet once a week unless otherwise noted. Capacity: 9 Dogs. Fee: $95
Start Date | Finish Date | Time | Registration Form |
Wednesday, February 3 | Wednesday, March 10 | 10am–11am | REGISTER NOW |
Wednesday, March 24 | Wednesday, April 28 | 10am–11am | REGISTER NOW |
Wednesday, May 5 | Wednesday, June 9 | 10am–11am | REGISTER NOW |
Wednesday, June 23 | Wednesday, July 28 | 10am–11am | COMING SOON |
Wednesday, August 4 | Wednesday, September 8 | 10am–11am | COMING SOON |
Wednesday, September 15 | Wednesday, October 20 | 10am–11am | COMING SOON |
Wednesday, October 27 | Wednesday, December 8 (No Class November 24) |
10am–11am | COMING SOON |
Start Date | Finish Date | Time | Registration Form |
Saturday, February 6 | Saturday, March 13 | 8:45am–9:45am | REGISTER NOW |
Saturday, March 27 | Saturday, May 1 | 8:45am–9:45am | COMING SOON |
Saturday, May 8 | Saturday June 12 | 8:45am–9:45am | COMING SOON |
Saturday, June 19 | Saturday, July 24 | TBD | COMING SOON |
Saturday, July 31 | Saturday, September 9 | TBD | COMING SOON |
Saturday, September 18 | Saturday, October 23 | TBD | COMING SOON |
Saturday, October 30 | Saturday, December 11 (No Class November 27) |
TBD | COMING SOON |
Basic Obedience 2
Earn a Canine Good Citizen certificate and build on the skills learned in Basic Obedience 1 while learning commands that require more concentration for your dog. These lessons include how to accept a friendly stranger, sit politely for petting, walk through crowds, react to other dogs, and so much more. This course consists of six one-hour classes and will meet once a week unless otherwise noted. Capacity: 9 Dogs. Fee: $95
Start Date | Finish Date | Time | Registration Form |
Saturday, February 6 | Saturday, March 13 | 11:15am–12:15pm | REGISTER NOW |
Saturday, March 27 | Saturday, May 1 | 11:15am–12:15pm | REGISTER NOW |
Saturday, May 8 | Saturday, June 12 | 11:15am–12:15pm | REGISTER NOW |
Saturday, June 19 | Saturday, July 24 | 11:15am–12:15pm | COMING SOON |
Saturday, July 31 | Saturday, September 4 | 11:15am–12:15pm | COMING SOON |
Saturday, September 18 | Saturday, October 23 | 11:15am–12:15pm | COMING SOON |
Saturday, October 30 | Saturday, December 11 (No Class November 27) |
11:15am–12:15pm | COMING SOON |
Pet Therapy Training Course
If you are interested in joining our Pet Therapy Program, you must first register for our Pet Therapy Training Course. The Pet Therapy Training Course will prepare you and your dog to be an HSSC Pet Therapy Team. The course covers the essential skills for therapy animals and handlers (attention, leash walking, ignoring distractions, reactivity, etc.). In addition, the course provides an overview of the roles and expectations of HSSC Pet Therapy Volunteers, and an overview of HSSC in general, since Pet Therapy Volunteers are considered ambassadors for HSSC. The final class is the evaluation. Passing the evaluation results in acceptance into the Pet Therapy Program. Those who do not pass the evaluation will be provided options for further training. This course consists of four one-hour classes and will meet once a week unless otherwise noted. Fee: $60.
Start Date | Finish Date | Time | Registration Form |
TBD | TBD | TBD | COMING SOON! |
Once you and your dog complete the course and pass the evaluation, you will be charged an additional $50 fee, which covers our cost to issue your Pet Therapy polo, dog bandana, name badge, and liability insurance for one year. Thereafter, you will be charged an annual fee of $40 to maintain your insurance and membership in the program. You will be granted access to our volunteer management system, VolunteerHub, upon paying your fee.
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THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY, INC., IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT 501(C)(3) CORPORATION REGISTERED WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES, REGISTRATION NUMBER CH239, AND RECEIVES 100% OF ALL DONATED FUNDS. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR ONLINE AT WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.