New classes starting soon! Train year-round in air conditioned comfort.

Established in 1986, Heartland Dog Club (HDC) is a not for profit organization dedicated to promoting the education and training of dogs and their owners, responsible dog ownership, and having fun with your dog! We are AKC-sanctioned and offer low-cost classes open to all breeds of dogs, certification and testing, and competitive activities.
HDC partners with other clubs to provide AKC competitions for an annual multi-day conformation dog show, and several agility trials held throughout the year.
At Heartland Dog Club of Florida, we believe that every dog deserves to live their best life. Our philosophy is based on the idea that with the right training and guidance, every dog can become a well-behaved, happy member of their family. We're committed to helping pet owners achieve this goal, one dog at a time.
Our gentle training methods focus on rewarding your pet for good behavior. This creates a positive and enjoyable experience for both you and your pet. We offer specialized training for puppies to help them learn basic commands and socialization skills and introductory-through-advanced level obedience training for adult dogs.
Our wide range of classes includes STAR puppy, obedience, rally, trick dog, scent work, introduction to agility and special topic workshops.
Classes are usually scheduled for one hour/week for 6 weeks and cost $100 for the 6-week series. On occasion shorter, special topic workshops are offered.
If you are interested in AKC conformation competition we offer a formal 6-week class on how to get your dog "show ring ready". The course provides a thorough introduction to dog show judging procedures, how to calculate championship points, and hands-on practice of the skills needed by you and your dog in the show ring.
This structured class requires advance registration and is priced at $100.
We also offer "drop in" conformation practice sessions on the first and third Wednesday monthly at 6:30pm to help you prepare for upcoming dog shows and to provide your team guided practice to polish their show ring skills. Advance registration is not required for these; just "drop in" and join us whenever you'd like.
Class fee is $10/session.
HDC has several trainers qualified to assess teams for AKC certificates and titles in STAR Puppy, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), temperament (ATT), and novice/intermediate/advanced tricks.
We also have club members approved to provide information about, and work with, teams interested in becoming certified therapy dogs.
Heartland Dog Club is an AKC recognized Fit Dog Club with a certified Fit Dog trainer. We sponsor activities that encourage owners and their dogs to engage in healthy exercise and outdoor activities. Fit dog events are scheduled periodically to meet the requirements for AKC recognition and to complete seasonal 5K "scurries".
Our club offers a certified AKC Canine Ambassador speaker's bureau program to provide free presentations to the community on a wide array of dog ownership and dog safety related topics.
Our club encourages the participation of junior members (aged 9-17 years) in dog sports. A new stipend program (effective 1-1-2027) provides junior members up to $500 in reimbursement for dog sport competition expenses annually. Applicant must be a junior member in good standing of HDC, have an immediate family member who is a member of HDC in good standing, and document that they are actively competing in dog sports.
Participation in community events such as holiday parades and celebrations, animal adoption events, fairs and festivals, and monthly social activities we organize for our members and their dogs is another way through which we encourage our members to enjoy time together with each other and their dogs.
The club also sponsors an annual member Christmas party in December of each year.
Club officers and directors serve one-year terms. Annual elections for these positions occur in January.
2026 club officers are:
2026 club directors-at-large are:
We welcome all dog-lovers to attend our monthly meetings, and to join the club
Annual adult membership dues renewals are $25/person and annual junior member dues (ages 9-17) are $10/person. (Dues period is from January 1st through December 1st annually.)
First year dues for new adult members (voting) are $25/person and $10/person for new junior members aged 9-17 (nonvoting) for those accepted for membership between January and June. Membership dues for those joining between July and December are $12.50/person for adult membership and $5.00/person for junior membership.
New member applicants must be sponsored by two currently active club members and be voted on by the membership.
Club meeting schedule (open to everyone):
Contact the HDC Secretary to request a membership application.
Welcome new members (September 2026)
Our air-conditioned training building was renovated by club members and is rented from Highlands County on a long-term arrangement.
It is equipped with everything we need to provide the best possible experience for dogs and their owners.
From spacious training areas with slip-resistant flooring to advanced training equipment, we've got everything covered.
A fenced outdoor exercise area is also provided for your dog's comfort and safety.
Breaking news! Perimeter fencing will soon be added to our outdoor areas, which will allow for greater safety of our dogs, and the development of an outdoor training space for agility classes.
2692 State Road 17 South, Avon Park, Florida 33825
PO Box 7893, Sebring, Florida 33870
Phone: (863) 443-0571

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