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 education and training center of our brand-new facility (still located at 2331 15th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237).
We encourage you to enroll your dog early. Please be sure to read the cancellation and change policy carefully before paying for your course.
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.
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.
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 walk 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 ($85 for HSSC adopters)
Start Date | End Date | Time | Registration |
May 25, 2022 | June 29, 2022 | 10-11am | Course in Progress |
July 6, 2022 | August 10, 2022 | 10-11am | REGISTER NOW |
September 7, 2022 | October 12, 2022 | 10-11am | REGISTER NOW |
October 26, 2022 (No Class November 23) |
December 7, 2022 | 10-11am | REGISTER NOW |
Start Date | End Date | Time | Registration |
May 28, 2022 | July 2, 2022 | 8:45-9:45am | Course in Progress |
July 9, 2022 | August 13, 2022 | 8:45-9:45am | REGISTER NOW |
September 10, 2022 | October 15, 2022 | 8:45-9:45am | REGISTER NOW |
October 29, 2022 (No Class November 26) |
December 10, 2022 | 8:45-9:45am | REGISTER NOW |
Start Date | End Date | Time | Registration |
May 28, 2022 | July 2, 2022 | 10-11am | Course in Progress |
July 9, 2022 | August 13, 2022 | 10-11am | REGISTER NOW |
September 10, 2022 | October 15, 2022 | 10-11am | REGISTER NOW |
October 29, 2022 (No Class November 26) |
December 10, 2022 | 10-11am | REGISTER NOW |
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, walking 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
Start Date | End Date | Time | Registration |
May 28, 2022 | July 2, 2022 | 11:15am-12:15pm | Course in Progress |
July 9, 2022 | August 13, 2022 | 11:15am-12:15pm | REGISTER NOW |
September 10, 2022 | October 15, 2022 | 11:15am-12:15pm | REGISTER NOW |
October 29, 2022 (No Class November 26) |
December 10, 2022 | 11:15am-12:15pm | REGISTER NOW |
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. Capacity: 10 Dogs. Fee: $60.
2022 Pet Therapy Class Dates
Start Date | End Date | Time | Registration |
Thursday, September 8, 2022 | Thursday, September 29, 2022 | 11am-12pm | REGISTER NOW |
Thursday, November 3, 2022 (No Class November 24) |
Thursday, December 1, 2022 | 11am-12pm | REGISTER NOW |
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.
© 2019 Humane Society of Sarasota County. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Site Map
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.