K-9 Obedience Training Courses

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 socializing puppies, 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss options for you and your dog.

Puppy Class
Early socialization and training helps puppies become mentally healthy, well-adjusted dogs and can prevent all kinds of behavior problems (e.g., resource guarding, aggression, and fearfulness). Our Puppy Class is a small, safe group for puppies to begin their obedience journey. The focus will be on helping the puppies become comfortable in new environments and around other people and dogs. The instructor will address various puppy issues, such as mouthiness, getting used to collars and leashes, crate training, housebreaking, and jumping, and will lay the foundation for learning basic commands. Appropriate for puppies ages 8 weeks to 6 months only. 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

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 6 months and older. This course consists of six one-hour classes and will meet once a week unless otherwise noted. Capacity: 9 Dogs. Fee: $95

2021 Wednesday Courses

2021 Saturday Courses

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. Prerequisite: Basic Obedience 1 or equivalent. This course consists of six one-hour classes and will meet once a week unless otherwise noted. Capacity: 9 Dogs. Fee: $95

2021 Wednesday Courses

2021 Saturday Courses