Obedience & Rally
Save the Date!
BOTC’s Fall Obedience and Rally Trial will take place this year on October 17 & 18 at the Shelburne Field House in Shelburne, Vermont.
Laurie Strimavicius Seminar
Laurie is coming back!!!!! Laurie presented two information packed days in November 2025 and we’re so pleased she’s coming back.
When: May 30 and 31, 2026
Where: Comfort Hill Kennels (94 Comfort Hill St, Vergennes, VT 05491)
Cost:
$160 cash or check, $170.80 online per working spot per day (limit 12)
$50 cash or check, $53.80 per auditor per day (limit 10)
Saturday: Heeling Skills and concepts
Heel position, where is it? Teaching stationary vs. Motion.
Using food, using Hand touch
Handling and footwork
Formal picture. Where do I put my hands? Hold my leash?
Teaching engagement in heeling. Games for heeling.
Turns
Halts
Pace changes
Off leash skills. Don’t let the leash be why your dog stays next to you.
Figure 8
Sunday: Engagement! The missing piece!
Play
Engagement on silence
Using tricks and offering
Engagement with distractions
How to Sign Up
To register, email Cassy to sign up. Then choose your payment option - either send cash or check to Cassy, or pay online below (credit card fees apply). If paying online, add each option (working or auditing, Saturday &/or Sunday), then go to your cart at the top of the page to complete payment.
Pay Online Here
Laurie Strimavicius
Sat May 30 2026 Heeling
Working Spot (1 dog)
Laurie Strimavicius
Saturday May 30 2026
Heeling
Auditing Spot - no dogs
Laurie Strimavicius
Sunday May 31 Engagement
Working Spot (1 Dog)
Laurie Strimavicius
Sunday May 31 2026
Engagement
Auditing Spot - no dogs
Add the option(s) you want above to your cart, then scroll to the top of the page to view your cart and complete payment.
October 2025 Obedience & Rally Trial Recap
“What an inspiring weekend! I worked part of the utility class at Burlington Obedience Training club’s trial this weekend. So many great teams performing under the pressures of being in the ring for 5 minutes or more. As an agility person my runs are usually under 45 seconds—5 minutes seemed like an eternity.
Coming off this inspiration, I want to do more training and I expect many other people who watched and competed do too.”
-Cassy Lamothe, Vice President BOTC Mon 10/20/25
BOTC Obedience Trial Results
BOTC Rally Trial Results
About Obedience
Obedience is an AKC recognized canine performance event that demonstrates teamwork between the owner and the dog, as the dog follows various commands both on-leash and at liberty. Basic obedience training includes walking with the owner in heel position at various speeds, sitting in heel position, staying in a sit and down position for a period of time and coming when called. As the team advances, the training will include retrieving a dumbbell on the flat or over a jump and clearing a broad jump. More advanced training will include scent work, use of hand signals, directed jumping and directed retrieves. A well-trained dog is a happy dog and will be a great canine partner both in the house and outside and basic obedience training can be the first step to that great partnership.
History of Obedience at the Burlington Obedience Training Club
BOTC holds a weekend of obedience and rally trials in Chittenden County each Fall. This weekend event is open to the public and is a great place to see dogs performing at the various levels of obedience: the basic obedience level recognized by AKC, the CD or Companion Dog level; the next level, which is the CDX or Companion Dog Excellent level, and the highest level, the UD or Utility Dog level. The premium list will be available on this website in late Summer. The Champlain Valley Kennel Club, a local all breed club, usually offers a weekend of AKC obedience and rally trials during their annual dog show weekend. These events are also open to the public.
BOTC holds regularly scheduled practice sessions in obedience which are open to all members of the club. A representative from the club sits on the Training Council for BOTC and is responsible for scheduling times and locations for members to practice obedience exercises with their canine partners.
There are several independent dog training schools in the area which also offer obedience classes at all levels.