New classes starting soon! Train year-round in air conditioned comfort.
Upcoming Events!
July 11th
HDC exhibited at the annual Fur Fest Expo at Lakeshore Mall in Sebring, highlighting club services and distributing helpful information for dog owners.
This animal-adoption focused event was very well attended. Our HDC booth was setup and staffed by club officers (left to right) Ann Yeager- Vice President, Rich Yeager- Board Member at Large, and Cindy White - President.
Contact Ann at (863) 443-0571 for more information.
July 3rd- Red, White and Woof Dog Show and Fun Day- Cancelled Due to Inclement Weather. Watch for Announcements About Rescheduling!!!
HDC partnered with Sun N Lake (Sebring) to present an afternoon of dog fun on July 3, 2026 from 4pm - 7pm, part of Sun N Lake's celebration of America's 250th birthday celebration.
Sadly, although all was set up and ready for the event it had to be abruptly cancelled when an extremely dangerous lightening and thunderstorm rolled into the area that afternoon. Thank you to the many club member volunteers who were present to help us setup, and hastily dismantle, our activities.
But- all was not lost! We will be working with Sun N Lake to reschedule a similar event (dog show, contests, and more) for Saturday, September 19th. It will be our club's annual presentation of Responsible Dog Ownership Day.
. Contact Colleen at (863) 443-1152 for more information!
"Drop in " Conformation Classes (Ongoing)
- Meets first and third Wednesday monthly. No preregistration required.
- For purebred dogs of all ages and breeds.
- Dogs must have age-appropriate vaccinations.
- No previous show ring experience required.
- Juniors and adults are welcome.
- $10 per session.
- For information call Colleen: (863) 443-1152.
New Training Classes will Begin in September!
Check back here for a list of planned Fall course offerings and their schedules later this summer or email heartlanddogclubtraining@gmail.com for information.
Conformation "drop in" sessions will continue to be offered year-round (1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month).
Upcoming HDC Co-sponsored Agility Competitions
HDC partners with Bratty Paws Dog Plex to offer several AKC-sanctioned agility competitions each year..
Bratty Paws Dog Plex offers an indoor, climate-controlled training and event facility for dogs. Conveniently located just 2 miles off I-75 (Exit 161) on 10 commercial acres in beautiful Punta Gorda, Florida, they also offer 32 RV spots with electric hookups and water access, plus open areas for training, exercise, and exploration.
Dates for upcoming HDC-sponsored agility events are:
- November 20 - 22, 2026
- November 27 - 29, 2026
The full Bratty Paws event schedule can be found here:
https://www.brattypaws.com/event-premiums
Click the links for each date of interest to learn more about how to enter, etc.
For more information:
2551 Taylor Road
Punta Gorda, Florida 33950
(941) 833-3358
Upcoming HDC Co-sponsored AKC All Breed Dog Shows
The City of Palms Dog Show Cluster is a popular annual American Kennel Club (AKC) all-breed event co-hosted by the Greater Fort Myers Dog Club and the Heartland Dog Club of Florida. It typically takes place in mid-May at the Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly the Lee Civic Center Complex) in North Fort Myers, just a short drive from Highlands County.
Dates for the 2027 all-breed show weekend:
May 13 - 16, 2027
BPUP, junior showmanship, NOHS and FAST Cat competition will be offered on most days.
Have fun showing your own dog, volunteer to help support the club at the show- or just show up to encourage fellow club members and to help them celebrate their successes with their dogs.
As a co-sponsor of the shows, HDC needs a number of club volunteers to be present at the show grounds each day to assist with setup and tear-down, stocking ring supplies and coolers, selling tickets for raffle baskets, and more!
Take a Look at these more detailed class content description
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Canine Good Citizen
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Give your puppy the best start with our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class! Designed for puppies up to 1 year old, this fun and positive training program helps build a strong foundation for good manners, socialization, and lifelong learning.
S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility — the four essentials every puppy
Give your puppy the best start with our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class! Designed for puppies up to 1 year old, this fun and positive training program helps build a strong foundation for good manners, socialization, and lifelong learning.
S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility — the four essentials every puppy needs to grow into a confident, well-behaved companion.
In this class, puppies and their owners will learn:
- Basic obedience skills such as sit, down, come, and leash walking
-Positive training techniques and problem-solving skills
-Proper socialization with people, other puppies, and new environments
-Good manners at home and in public
-Responsible dog ownership and puppy care tips
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is a great first step toward earning the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title and continuing your dog’s training journey.
Whether you’re a first-time puppy owner or adding a new member to your family, this class provides a supportive, enjoyable environment to help your puppy shine! The class includes an assessment of 20 items required by AKC; successful completers are eligible to apply for the AKC STAR Puppy certificate and title.
Class Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $100
Basic Obedience
Canine Good Citizen
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Build a stronger bond with your dog while teaching the skills needed for good manners at home and in public.
Our Basic Obedience Class is designed for dogs of all breeds and sizes and focuses on positive, reward-based training methods that make learning fun for both dogs and handlers.
In this six-week course, dogs will learn:
-Attention an
Build a stronger bond with your dog while teaching the skills needed for good manners at home and in public.
Our Basic Obedience Class is designed for dogs of all breeds and sizes and focuses on positive, reward-based training methods that make learning fun for both dogs and handlers.
In this six-week course, dogs will learn:
-Attention and focus on their handler
-Sit, down, and stay
-Loose-leash walking
-Reliable recalls (come when called)
-Polite greetings and manners around people
-Impulse control and self-confidence
-Basic problem-solving for common behavior challenges
Classes are taught in a supportive, family-friendly environment and provide opportunities for socialization and real-world practice. Whether you have a young dog ready to learn the basics or an older dog needing a refresher, this class will help establish a solid foundation for future training success.
Class Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $100
Canine Good Citizen
Canine Good Citizen
Canine Good Citizen
The Canine Good Citizen program stresses responsible pet ownership and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test will receive a certificate from the AKC; some may also choose to apply for an AKC CGC title.
In this program, dogs will practice these skills needed to successfully pass the CGC test:
-Accepting a frien
The Canine Good Citizen program stresses responsible pet ownership and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test will receive a certificate from the AKC; some may also choose to apply for an AKC CGC title.
In this program, dogs will practice these skills needed to successfully pass the CGC test:
-Accepting a friendly stranger
-Sitting politely for petting
-Appearance and grooming
-Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
-Walking through a crowd
-Sit and down on cue and stay in place
-Coming when called
-Reaction to another dog
-Reaction to distraction
-Supervised separation
Class Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $100
Introduction to Rally
Introduction to Rally
Introduction to Rally
Rally is all about teamwork.
You and your dog navigate a course together, side by side, at your own brisk pace. You move your dog through a course with signs where the dog performs specified different exercises.
The courses are designed by the Rally judge and include 10-20 signs per course, depending on the class level, that includes v
Rally is all about teamwork.
You and your dog navigate a course together, side by side, at your own brisk pace. You move your dog through a course with signs where the dog performs specified different exercises.
The courses are designed by the Rally judge and include 10-20 signs per course, depending on the class level, that includes various turns and commands such as sit, down, stay, etc.
Class Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $100
Foundation Scent Work
Introduction to Rally
Introduction to Rally
Introduce your dog to the exciting world of scent detection! Our Foundation Scent Work Class is designed for dogs and handlers who are new to the sport and want to build a strong understanding of scenting skills in a fun, rewarding environment.
Dogs naturally use their noses to explore the world, and scent work channels this instinct into
Introduce your dog to the exciting world of scent detection! Our Foundation Scent Work Class is designed for dogs and handlers who are new to the sport and want to build a strong understanding of scenting skills in a fun, rewarding environment.
Dogs naturally use their noses to explore the world, and scent work channels this instinct into an engaging activity that builds confidence, focus, and teamwork. In this class, dogs will learn how to search independently, identify target odors, and communicate their finds to their handlers. Handlers will learn how to read their dog's body language, develop effective search strategies, and support their dog's growing skills.
This beginner-friendly class focuses on:
- Building search drive and motivation
- Developing confidence and problem-solving skills
- Introduction to target odors
- Container, interior, and area searches
- Understanding canine scenting behavior
- Strengthening the dog-handler partnership
No prior experience is required. Foundation Scent Work is suitable for dogs of all breeds, ages, and activity levels, including senior dogs and dogs that may not enjoy traditional sports. Whether your goal is to compete in scent work trials or simply provide your dog with a mentally stimulating activity, this class offers a fun and rewarding way to work together as a team.
Prerequisite: Dogs should be comfortable working around other dogs and people in a class environment.
Unleash your dog's natural abilities and discover the joy of scent work together!
Class Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $100
Conformation
Introduction to Rally
Conformation
This formal "conformation" class is designed to help you prepare you and your purebred, show quality dog to become "show ring ready".
We review the process of how dogs are evaluated in AKC conformation shows, discuss breed standards and conventions for judging your breed, and equipment and supplies needed.
Dog show classes and the process o
This formal "conformation" class is designed to help you prepare you and your purebred, show quality dog to become "show ring ready".
We review the process of how dogs are evaluated in AKC conformation shows, discuss breed standards and conventions for judging your breed, and equipment and supplies needed.
Dog show classes and the process of judging from individual breed classes through best in show is reviewed, along with the requirements to earn various levels of AKC championships.
Most of the class time each week is devoted to practicing the "routine" often used at the dog show for gaiting, baiting, stacking, and showing off your dog's best qualities to the judge. Practice is critical to success! No prior show ring is required. The sessions are open to both juniors and adults. (Juniors must be accompanied by an adult at each session.)
After completing this structured course, continuing to hone your skills by attending our on-going conformation "drop in" sessions may be very helpful to you and your dog, also!
Class Length: 6 weeks
Cost: $100