Twin Cities Obedience Training Club

Business Details

50+ Years

experience

Expert Dog Training in Minneapolis

Founded in 1945, Twin Cities Obedience Training Club (TCOTC) has dedicated over seven decades to strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners through positive reinforcement training. As a volunteer-driven nonprofit, we combine extensive experience in dog training with a commitment to community education, offering programs from puppy socialization to advanced competition preparation. Our team of certified instructors brings decades of combined expertise in obedience, agility, therapy work, and specialized canine sports, ensuring clients receive instruction grounded in operant conditioning principles.

We maintain leadership in promoting humane training methods, holding licenses for AKC-sanctioned trials and developing innovative programs like Camp K9 that integrate enrichment with skill development. Our facility in Minneapolis serves as both a training hub and a testament to our dedication to safety, diversity, and lifelong learning in dog training.

Services

Puppy Classes Obedience Training Agility Classes Therapy Dog Program Flyball Training Scent Work Conformation Classes Tracking Training Gundog Workshops Behavior Modification

Details

Year established: 1945

Highlights and features

We offer 75+ years of continuous dog training expertise since 1945
Our certified instructors specialize in positive reinforcement methodology
We provide comprehensive programs from puppy basics to competition preparation
Our volunteer-driven model maintains affordable class pricing
We develop innovative training approaches like Camp K9 enrichment programs

Associations and certifications

American Kennel Club (AKC)

Website

Update Listing

Services

Puppy Classes

Our puppy classes address early development needs through socialization and basic obedience training. Programs focus on house manners, impulse control, and foundational commands while addressing common behavioral challenges. Certified instructors guide owners through critical developmental stages using positive reinforcement techniques that establish lifelong learning patterns.

Agility Classes

Comprehensive agility instruction progresses from beginner obstacle introduction to championship-level course navigation. Certified trainers develop handler-dog communication skills through weave poles, jumps, and contact equipment training. Our program prepares teams for AKC and NADAC competition while emphasizing physical conditioning and mental engagement.

Therapy Dog Program

This specialized program trains dogs for facility-based therapeutic interactions through Pet Partners evaluation standards. Instructors develop temperament stability and obedience precision required for hospital, nursing home, and school environments. Curriculum includes public access training and handler-dog team stress management techniques.

Camp K9

Customized day-training combines obedience work with enrichment activities in low dog-to-trainer ratios. Programs include crate conditioning, impulse control development, and public manners training through scent work and agility exercises. Progress reports and owner practice assignments reinforce learning beyond training sessions.

Behavior Modification

Changing Attitudes program addresses reactivity and focus issues through systematic desensitization techniques. Certified trainers develop individualized plans for environmental distraction management and impulse control development. Programs incorporate positive reinforcement to build confidence in both dogs and handlers.

People

Corrie Barrows

Member Services Manager

With 24 years of experience at TCOTC, Corrie transitioned from student to instructor to management. She specializes in positive reinforcement training, particularly for flyball, and has served as Obedience Trial Chief Ring Steward for 15 years.

Meg Beisner

Obedience Instructor

Since 2013, Meg has taught basic obedience while managing rescue dog integration challenges. Her focus on positive training methods creates strong human-canine bonds, demonstrated through her work with two rescue dogs and twin infants.

Laura Breckheimer

Agility Instructor

Laura has specialized in agility training since 2003, developing expertise in reactive dog handling. She teaches foundational agility while competing in multiple dog sports including barn hunt and nosework with her four Jack Russell Terriers.

Katie Brittan

Agility Instructor

With 44 years of TCOTC experience, Katie offers advanced agility instruction through AKC, CPE, and NADAC venues. She holds multiple championship titles in obedience and conformation while specializing in miniature schnauzer training.

Sara Brokaw

Scent Work Instructor

Over 10 years at TCOTC, Sara developed expertise in scent detection training. Her AKC Performer Trick Dog and CPE C-SNITCH titled dog demonstrates the effectiveness of positive reinforcement methods in competitive canine sports.

Questions

What training methods do you use?

We exclusively use positive reinforcement techniques with no choke, pinch, or shock collars allowed. Our methods focus on building communication and trust between handlers and dogs.

Do you offer puppy training?

Yes, we provide puppy socialization and basic obedience classes addressing house manners, impulse control, and early command training for puppies aged 5 months and older.

What competition preparation options exist?

We offer advanced training in agility, obedience, and flyball with instructors who compete nationally. Our programs include trial preparation and handling techniques for championship competition.

Is therapy dog training available?

Our Therapy Dog Program prepares teams for Pet Partners evaluation through temperament development and public access training for facility-based therapeutic interactions.

What is Camp K9?

Camp K9 provides customized day-training combining obedience with enrichment activities. Options include full-day or half-day sessions with individual training plans and progress reporting.

How do I register for classes?

Registration occurs through our online portal. For Camp K9 programs, complete the enrollment form and submit required liability waivers and skill assessment forms.

Reviews (7)

Write a Review

Liz H.

May 26, 2022 Report

The facility is a perfect place for flyball practice. Wonderful that they're flexible enough to allow the team can use it from 7pm to as late as needed.

Natalie Brown

May 22, 2022 Report

This is a review specifically for a behavior consult with Taylor. Taylor is AMAZING and I recommend them to anyone looking for personalized help with their pup. They are compassionate, sweet, and incredibly knowledgeable about dog emotions and behaviors. They're also knowledgeable about HUMAN emotions and behaviors, and I think they helped me manage my reactions and training anxieties even more than they helped my dog : I've seen my dog build so much confidence based on advice and help that Taylor has given us. Highly recommend.

Linda Lenc

Mar 27, 2022 Report

Excellent place for dog training. After basic, they offer a wide variety of classes for pets and competitors alike. All positive, clicker-based training methods. Both we and our dog are thriving there.

Katie O'Keefe

Mar 24, 2022 Report

I moved to Minneapolis a year ago and wanted to get my dog set up with training courses with the goal to participate in a fun agility class. We had previously attended a basic training course in iowa but attended another basic course at TCOTC followed by the next course up and then competition bedrock. You have to take competition bedrock in order to take agility which is understandable however this course is so limited it too us nearly 9 months to get in.

Now I'm told the first level of agility is only offered on one night of the week for an entire year which will never work. I also felt like I was talked down to on multiple occasions during the classes. I really didn't want to come back on multiple occasions but wanted to try agility and now that won't be a possibility. I have no intention of showing my dog only wanted to have a fun activity for him. I felt as though every course was centered around going to shows and competitions. This isn't the place for you if you are looking for a fun activity to keep your dog active.

Kristen Klemann

Feb 23, 2022 Report

TCOTC offers a broad range of dog classes, from basic manners and flyball, to competition-level agility and obedience. The trainers are great and very helpful!

Dominique Beard

Nov 26, 2021 Report

It was my first time attending a puppy training class! The setup of the class and overall information is very helpful. I would say it is more for the handlers than the dogs. The class size was appropriate, about 8ish puppies total. I think I was personally more nervous than my dog to be honest. I've previously trained all of my dogs on my own without any professional help and there were new things that I've learn in the class for sure.

Robby Williams

Nov 11, 2021 Report

We recently got our first puppy and took her here for a "Tweener's" training course. Reasonably priced for a four week course for a new puppy owner, and I feel like we learned a good amount for what we paid, including the resources provided and willingness to call midweek in between classes. Only downside is that classes in general are a lot of instructing with practice interspersed in between, which we personally found to be difficult in keeping our dog occupied during the instruction portion.