Welcome and please feel free to explore our website. If you are new to dog training and to recreational dog sports, you may want to start with the information below on our beginner classes.
We hold regularly scheduled and very affordable dog obedience training classes as well as many other classes and events for various dog sports at our spacious, up to date training facility in Halethorpe, MD (immediately south of Baltimore near the junction of I-695 and I-95).
WINTER 2026 ROLLING REGISTRATION SCHEDULE :
- 10/27 – Catalog Posted to ODTC Website
- 11/3, 6am – Registration begins for ODTC Contributing Members
- 11/5, 6am – Registration begins for ODTC Training Members
- 11/7, 6am – Registration begins for ODTC Provisional Members & Non-members
- Week of 1/5 – Winter classes begin
WINTER 2026 INTRODUCTORY CLASSES
(For Advanced Classes, please see our full Course Catalog )
[OB101] Puppy Kindergarten
Instructor: Kara O’Connor
Assistant: Carol Carr
Class Limit: 6
Starts: 1/6/26
Day/Time: Tuesday, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (6 Weeks)
For puppies 14 weeks to 6 months old. This class is for focusing on the start of obedience foundations and behavior issues. Emphasis on positive socialization to people and other puppies, environmental surroundings and contacts. General behavior topics will include crate training, housetraining, reading body language, and reducing nipping and jumping. We will focus on skills like communication and attention to owner, loose leash walking, rear end awareness, good play and greeting skills with dogs and people, sit, down, come, wait, even tricks! This is a “food” reward-based class. The next class would be the Basic Obedience class. Front Training Room.
Note: Bring current rabies certificate for puppies over 4 months to the first night of class. Puppies attend the first class.
[OB104] Obedience for Everyday life
Instructor: Kara O’Connor
Class Limit: 5
Starts: 1/6/26
Day/Time: Tuesday, 7:15pm – 8:15pm (6 Weeks)
This class is appropriate for dogs over 6 months of age who may have limited or no prior obedience training. It is well-suited for first-time dog owners, recently adopted or rescue dogs, and anyone seeking to improve their dog’s foundational behavior in preparation for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program or introductory dog sports classes. It focuses on building impulse control, enhancing the dog’s attention to the handler in the presence of distractions, and developing reliable loose leash walking. Ideal for teams looking to strengthen their communication and enjoy more relaxed, focused walks together. Weather permitting, training may take place on local grounds. Topics include, but are not limited to: Sit/Stay, Down/Stay, Recall, Loose Leash Walking with Distractions, Leave-It, and Focus/Engagement (“Look at Me”). This is a “food” reward-based class. Front Training Room.
Priority: Priority registration is given to students graduating from the prior session of Puppy Kindergarten.
Auditor Spots: There are auditor spots available for this class upon request. Auditors may not bring dogs to class. Auditors need to get permission from Tamalee Kramp, the instructor of the class, or the registrar.
[OB105] Basic Obedience
Instructor: Rachel Lachow
Class Limit: 7
Starts: 1/8/26
Day/Time: Thursday, 10am-11am (7 Weeks)
This class is for puppies older than six months and adult dogs that are just starting their training or need a refresher. The course will introduce dogs to all the basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stand, come, off, and loose-leash walking. In addition, we will practice the commands with real life training exercises, such as not bolting through the door when opened and park bench manners, etc. This is a “food” reward-based class. Main Ring 1.
Priority: Priority registration is given to students graduating from the prior semester of Puppy Kindergarten OB101 or Star Puppy OB102 classes.
Notes: 1) At least 3 dogs must be registered for class to be held. 2) The FIRST day of class, please come WITHOUT your dog & with a copy of your dog’s Rabies certificate.
Auditor Spots: There are auditor spots available for this class upon request. Auditors may not bring dogs to class. Auditors need to get permission from Tamalee Kramp, the instructor of the class, or the registrar.
[OB105A] Basic Obedience
Instructor: Tamalee Kramp
Assistant: Sue Hayes
Class Limit: 8
Starts: 1/6/26
Day/Time: Tuesday, 7:15pm – 8:15pm (7 Weeks)
This class is for puppies older than six months and adult dogs that are just starting their training or need a refresher. The course will introduce dogs to all the basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stand, come, off, and loose-leash walking. In addition, we will practice the commands with real life training exercises, such as not bolting through the door when opened and park bench manners, etc. This is a “food” reward-based class. Main Ring 1.
Priority: Priority registration is given to students graduating from the prior semester of Puppy Kindergarten OB101 or Star Puppy OB102 classes.
Notes: 1) At least 3 dogs must be registered for class to be held; 2) The FIRST day of class, please come WITHOUT your dog & with a copy of your dog’s Rabies certificate.
Auditor Spots: There are auditor spots available for this class upon request. Auditors may not bring dogs to class. Auditors need to get permission from Tamalee Kramp, the instructor of the class, or the registrar.
[OB110] Continuing Basic with AKC CGC and Tricks
Instructors: Debby Brannan, Sue Hayes and Aimee Pharr
Class Limit: 8
Starts: 1/6/26
Day/Time: Tuesday, 6:00pm – 7:15pm (8 Weeks)
This class is intended for puppies older than 8 months and adult dogs. Reactive dogs are not allowed in this class. In this class, we will cover each of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) exercises to prepare you for the CGC test. The students will be taught how to train and handle their dog to successfully complete each of the CGC exercises. Additionally, tricks will be taught to prepare your dog for the Novice Trick Dog Test. At the eighth week of class, an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and the AKC Novice Trick Dog test will be offered (date to be announced in class). Main Ring 1 & Loading Dock.
Prerequisites: This class is open to dogs that have a sound temperament and clear understanding of the basic exercises, dogs owned by handlers with recent Basic obedience training, or dogs that have been evaluated by the instructor.
Priority: Priority registration is given to OB105 (A/B/C) students graduating from the prior session of classes and were given approval from the instructor to move up to OB110 classes.
[OB112] Obedience Fundamentals for Competition
Instructors: Tamalee Kramp
Class Limit: 8
Starts: 1/6/26
Day/Time: Tuesday, 8:15pm – 9:15pm (8 Weeks)
Are you interested in competing in Obedience? This is for the team that plans to have an obedience career in competition. This class will provide an overview of foundational skills for effective teamwork in Novice, Open, and Utility. The full exercise will not be taught, as that will be reserved for when that level is reached. Students will learn about straight fronts/finishes, dumbbell holds, foot boards, targets, and command discrimination, and additional skills. There will be no jumping in this class, and this is a “food” or “toy” reward-based class. Main Ring 1 & 2.
Prerequisites: This class is open to dogs 6 months and older that are able to work around other dogs. No aggressive dogs allowed and dogs must have a solid recall. Taking a Basic obedience class is recommended or permission of the instructor.
[AG50] Foundation for Dog Sports
Instructors: Margaret McDowell, Bethany Pontier, Carol Carr, Kim Culp, and Chelsy Thompson
Class Limit: 10
Starts: 1/7/26
Day/Time: Wednesday, 8:15pm – 9:45pm (10 Weeks)
This class is for dogs aged 6 months & up who have graduated from a Basic Obedience class. Dogs will be introduced to the basic relationship building and foundation skills needed to be competitive in timed, physically active dog sports such as agility, flyball, rally, and disc dog. Foundation training includes board & target training; fitness training; impulse control games; drive games with recalls and sends; emphasizing tugging as a reward; rear-end awareness and body coordination exercises. Dogs can and should be entered in this class at a young age (although it is reasonable to expect very young dogs to rotate through it twice to expose them to each foundation exercise twice during their “puppy brain” stage). This class is primarily taught using a clicker to shape behaviors. Students will be exposed to a variety of “proofing” techniques to improve their dog’s performance. Agility Ring.
Graduation criteria: 1) ability to hold a “stay” position with handler at least 10′ away; 2) dog exhibits body control coordination through demonstration of class exercises; 3) dog can stay focused on handler while working around other dogs in low arousal situations; 4) dog sends around an object from at least 6′ away; 5) Handler exhibits understanding of training principles; including the 3 D’s for proofing, using a clicker for shaping behaviors, and handling/engaging with your dog. Students planning to move ahead to Agility 1 have the additional criteria of 1) Dog actively engages with a toy, viewing it as a reward; 2) dog is comfortable getting on the travel board with all four feet and turning around; and 3) ideally dog will target a toy and return it to handler.
Prerequisite: Verification of graduation from Basic Obedience class, a CGC certificate or a completed evaluation by an Agility instructor.
Note: The first night of class is required for participation in the course. Dogs do not come to the first night of class.
[AG100] Agility 1
Instructora: Cris Fitchitt, Lynda Folwick, Elizabeth Warren, and Marcia Kibby
Assistant: Galena Kuiper
Class Limit: 8
Starts: 1/8/26
Day/Time: Thursday, 6:30pm – 8pm (6 Weeks)
This course is intended to introduce dogs to the agility obstacles and to introduce handlers to the training methods for achieving safe, confident, and competent obstacle performance as well as a good working relationship allowing for off leash agility performance. Emphasis will be given to establishing a foundation for independent obstacle performance. Classes will be divided by gating into multiple workstations. Dogs must be capable of working with other dogs working at the same time. By the end of the session dogs should: have a good understanding of the 2on/2off end behavior without requiring a target; be able to drive to the end of the teeter with at least a 16” drop; drive through a partially closed weave channel with good footwork and speed irrespective of handler position; perform a four-jump grid with the handler in a variety of positions; send to a straight or curved tunnel; and send to and stay on a table. Agility Ring.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Foundations for Dog Sports or permission of Instructor. Agility Foundations for Puppies does not qualify for admission into Agility 1.
Note: This class is run at the same time as Flyball and there may be excessive noise.
Email questions to Jenn Spratt at registrarodtc@gmail.com
Agility Privates
World team member Terry Herman is offering privates at the building on Monday and Wednesday. Click here for more information, or To register for a private lesson:
Monday or Wednesday Privates: click here: [EL AG540A] Privates
Interested in our advanced class offerings? See this link.
About Us: The Oriole Dog Training Club, Inc is a non-profit organization formed in 1945 to promote the utility of dogs regardless of pedigree as well behaved and reliable companions for their own safety and well being, for the pleasure of their owners, and so they will be considered good canine citizens of the community.
We hold regularly scheduled and very affordable dog obedience training classes as well as many other classes and events for various dog sports at our spacious, up to date training facility in Halethorpe, MD (immediately south of Baltimore near the junction of I-695 and I-95)
Our all volunteer instructing staff is passionate about both companion dog (pet manners) training and dog sports training, and collectively represents decades of experience.
We are a licensed club with the American Kennel Club (AKC®) and in addition hold group membership with the following dog sporting organizations:
- North American Flyball Association (NAFA®)
- United States Dog Agility Association(USDAA®)
- North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC)
- Canine Performance Events (CPE)
- National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
- Barn Hunt Association (BHA)
Our club members range in experience from those just beginning the journey of learning how to train and trial with a dog to talented amateurs with a part-time interest in dog training and even to members who compete or judge successfully at the national (sometimes even international) level.
In addition to dog training classes, we organize and hold numerous community outreach activities, canine health clinics, seminars, workshops, and dog sporting events both at our training building and at multiple locations in and around the Baltimore, Columbia, and Washington DC metro area including:
- obedience (AKC®),
- tracking (AKC®),
- agility (USDAA®, NADAC, AKC®,CPE),
- flyball (NAFA®),
- rally (AKC Rally®)
- scentwork (NACSW, BHA, AKC®)
- coursing (AKC Fast CAT®)
Have questions? Explore our website or start with our FAQ.
Address:
9 Azar Ct.
Halethorpe, MD 21227
Detailed directions to our facility can also be found here
Oriole Dog Training Club 