Dog Obedience Training in the Minneapolis, Minnesota Area

Minneapolis has an abundance of hotels, parks, outdoor restaurants and off-leash dog parks that welcome canines and their owners. You can help your dog be on its best behavior by taking advantage of dog obedience training courses in the area. Basic obedience classes also lay a foundation for future learning opportunities. Advanced classes such as dog agility or therapy courses often require basic obedience skills as a prerequisite.

  1. Levels

    • Puppy classes teach your puppy how to socialize with other dogs.

      Most dog obedience facilities have four training levels:

      Puppy classes are generally for puppies that are at least 12 weeks old, and focus on puppy socialization.

      Beginner classes teach dogs to heel, sit, stay, down and come.

      Intermediate classes polish skills learned previously, plus teach off-leash heeling.

      Advanced courses teach off-leash skills and can be an introduction to competition novice obedience at the American Kennel Club (AKC) level.

    Twin Cities Obedience Club

    • A beginning obedience class will teach your dog simple commands like "sit."

      The Twin Cities Obedience Training Club was established in 1945 and was the first dog training club in Minnesota. The club is licensed by the American Kennel Club and can hold obedience trials and other AKC-level events. You must be a member of the TCOTC to attend its obedience classes, which include puppy, levels 1, 2, 3 and advanced. It also offers AKC Canine Good Citizen testing and AKC Rally Obedience classes.

      Twin Cities Obedience Club
      2101 Broadway St. NE
      Minneapolis, MN 55413-1716
      612-379-1332
      tcotc.com/

    The Canine Coach

    • Obedience training at The Canine Coach includes puppy classes, plus beginner, levels 1, 2 and advanced courses. The Canine Coach utilizes the clicker training method, which reinforces good behavior when it occurs, so the animal learns faster. The Canine Coach has a staff of eight trainers who offer group obedience classes, in-home private lessons and boot camp. The facility also offers AKC Canine Good Citizen testing.

      The Canine Coach
      5405 42nd Ave. South
      Minneapolis, MN 55417
      (612) 202-4732
      thek9coach.com/

    PetSmart

    • Positive reinforcement can include giving your dog a treat.

      PetSmart offers puppy, beginner, intermediate and advanced obedience training levels. Its classes are focused on reward-based training and take place in the store. PetSmart instructors are certified by a program that was developed by dog trainers and animal behaviorists. The instructors teach students about their dog's behavior and how to change it through positive reinforcement. The facility also offers clicker training and private classes.

      PetSmart
      1640 New Brighton Blvd.
      Minneapolis, MN 55413
      612-788-7045

    Considerations

    • Some obedience classes are booked months in advance.

      Deciding which facility and classes are right for you and your dog can be a challenge. To help you make a decision,visit each location to see if it is a good fit for you. One facility may be closer than another, or perhaps you'll find a class schedule that fits into your own calendar.