Winston Salem Dog Training Club

Winston-Salem Dog Training Club offers regular training sessions of various lengths, including 4, 5, 6, and 8-week classes. Classes are taught using a combination of motivational reward methods, including food and/or toys.

They categorize their classes into Non-Competitive Titles and Certifications (e.g., CGC, CGCA, CGCU, Farm Dog, Fetch, FIT Dog), Family Dog Classes (e.g., Puppy, Beginner, Therapy Dog), and Competition Focused Classes (e.g., Agility, Canine Freestyle, Flyball, Obedience, Rally, Scent Work, Specialty, Tracking). Introductory and advanced courses are offered on a rotating basis throughout the year.

The club does not deal with serious behavioral problems like aggression in a class setting and reserves the right to dismiss dangerous dogs. Dogs must have current rabies vaccination certificates to participate.

Pricing Summary

Classes are offered in various lengths, typically eight-weeks, four-weeks, five-weeks, or six-weeks. An eight-week session, consisting of eight weekly 45-minute classes, costs $120.00, unless otherwise noted. Additional field fees apply for outside agility, scent work, and tracking fields. A rescue discount is available for puppies or dogs adopted from the Humane Society or a rescue group on their first Companion Dog class. The AKC FIT DOG Walking Club has an initial fee of $120 and an annual fee of $25.

Policies

No refunds are given after registration is confirmed. Bitches in season are not allowed in the building for the 3 weeks of their season, and no refund is provided for these missed classes, though handlers are encouraged to observe.

The club follows the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (WSFC) Schools weather delay and closing schedule. If schools are delayed, morning classes are held, but instructors may cancel. If schools dismiss early or are closed/remote due to weather, afternoon and evening classes are cancelled. Efforts are made to extend sessions or schedule make-up classes for those cancelled due to weather.

The Winston-Salem Dog Training Club (WSDTC) is a non-profit organization that has been providing quality dog training to the Triad area for over 61 years, founded in November 1964. They offer group training classes to the general public for all breeds of dogs, aiming to help owners have well-mannered companions.

The club is an American Kennel Club (AKC) member club and conducts sanctioned Rally and Obedience Trials, Scent Work Trials, Tracking Tests, and Agility events. Their instructors and assistants are dedicated unpaid volunteers and mentors who share their knowledge to support the club’s activities and provide low-cost training classes to the community.

WSDTC operates an 8000 square foot heated and air-conditioned building that is fully matted, with access to private fields for agility and tracking. They are also home to the NADAC Leaps and Bounds Agility Group and First in Flight Flyball Team.

Beyond classes, WSDTC members engage in community service, including obedience demonstrations and therapy dog visits. They sponsor the New Leash on Life/Piedmont Animal Welfare Alliance at Forsyth Correctional and are home to a group of volunteer therapy dog handlers. The club also hosts the AKC FIT DOG Walking Club for exercise and socialization.

Accomplishments

The Winston-Salem Dog Training Club has been providing quality dog training to the Triad for over 61 years, having been founded in November 1964. They are an American Kennel Club (AKC) member club, conducting sanctioned Rally, Obedience, Scent Work Trials, Tracking Tests, and Agility events. The club is also home to the NADAC Leaps and Bounds Agility Group and the First in Flight Flyball Team.

How to Get Started!

To register for classes, clients must log into their WSDTC Account. New clients need to create an account and complete all information regarding themselves and their dog prior to registration.

When registration opens, clients can log in to view and sign up for classes. Payment must be made online with Visa, Mastercard, or Discover at the time of registration to secure a spot. A current rabies vaccination certificate or veterinarian proof of vaccination is required for dogs over 4 months of age and must be emailed to the vaccination registrar at the time of registration if not already updated in the account.