About Sarasota Obedience Training

A volunteer club in Myakka City

Sarasota Obedience Training Club (SOTC) has helped dog owners in Southwest Florida train their dogs since 1962. Its grounds are at 7505 County Road 675 in Myakka City, off I-75 in east Sarasota between State Roads 64 and 70, just beyond Lakewood Ranch. The club has a two-ring indoor climate-controlled building and a fully fenced, lighted outdoor agility field on grass. It is run by dog-loving volunteers with decades of experience training dogs and teaching owners.

Classes

SOTC offers classes for pet owners and competitors alike. Puppy classes give young dogs and their owners a good start. Obedience classes range from walking nicely on a leash and reducing unwanted behaviors to competitive obedience. The club also teaches rally, where dog and handler navigate a course of signs; scent work, in which dogs learn to find essential oils; agility; and flyball, a high-energy relay over hurdles. Specialty classes cover tricks, reliable recalls and building a deeper connection with your dog.

Events and outreach

The club hosts several competitions a year in agility, obedience, rally and scent work, and frequently brings in top trainers and judges for seminars. Its SOTC Canine Diplomats program provides outreach and education in the local community.