About Winnegamie Dog Club

The Winnegamie Dog Club is, in its own words, "an all-breed dog club affiliated with the American Kennel Club" based in Menasha, Wisconsin, and it "exists for the purpose of advancing the cause and welfare of dogs, both purebred and mixed-breed". Its home page greets visitors with "All Dogs Welcome" and "Sharing 60+ years of passion for dogs!" Classes are open beyond the membership: the about page says "Non-Members can enjoy training programs, conformation shows, obedience and agility trials, fun matches, educational programs, open houses and other fun events."

The training program

The club states its teaching mission as "the Winnegamie Dog Club's Progressive Motivational Training Program", set up "to educate the general public with dog friendly, positive training methods in order to deepen owners' relationships with their dogs". The class ladder starts with Basic Manners, which the site says "prepare dogs for more advanced classes in a variety of venues, including competitive obedience, agility, scent work, tricks, and tracking", plus conformation classes for AKC breed competitions.

What is on the schedule

The published Family Dog Program runs Basic Manners in a puppy-only section for dogs 6 months and younger and an all-ages section, then Intermediate Manners – which "MUST HAVE TAKEN BASIC MANNERS" – along with enrichment classes in Fit Dog and confidence building. The Performance Dog Program runs a sequenced agility ladder from Agility Fundamentals through Intro to Obstacles, Basic Handling Skills, Obstacle Proofing and Novice Coursework, with Rally Novice and a three-step scent work series; the schedule marks several of these "Not offered this session". Sessions run 6 weeks, class prices are listed at $100.00, and drop-in classes are "Free for active WDC members, $10 for regular WDC members, $15 for non-members – no need to sign up, just show up to attend". Instructors are named individually against each class slot.

Good to know

The about page dates the club to 1958 and says "WDC is 100% volunteer", thanking "our 400+ members who make this possible". Beyond classes the club holds obedience, rally, agility, Fast CAT and nose work trials, CGC and trick dog testing, farm dog certification, an annual fun match and an all-breed conformation show, and its members visit nursing homes and walk in local parades. Building and floor rentals are for members only.