About Azalea Dog Training Club

Azalea Dog Training Club is a not-for-profit service organization at 14 S 16th St in Wilmington, and it is a members' club that runs open public classes rather than a training company. It describes itself as "specializing in Obedience, Agility, and Rally Obedience".

The class program

Sessions run in blocks – five weeks, one class a week – and registration opens publicly online. The published list is obedience classes, puppy classes, rally, scent works, a dog tricks class, agility, conformation and "even a GAMES-based obedience class". The games class uses exercises like Puppy Ping Pong for stays and recalls, Temptation Tower for leave-it and recall, and musical chairs, all aimed at "heeling, recall, distance handling, impulse control, focus on the handler, dealing with distractions, leash work". Canine Good Citizen classes are run, including a three-week CGC class and a five-week prep class, with the test given in the final week. Therapy dog classes are part of the club's published history.

Standards and limits

The club states that "all of our instructors hold an AKC Title in the discipline they teach and currently compete regularly at trials". It is direct about who its classes are not for: "All obedience class are taught in a group setting and are therefore not appropriate for aggressive dogs", and it points those owners to a professional trained in behavior modification instead. Dogs must be up to date on core vaccinations, with proof.

Published tuition

A five-week class is $165. One recent class was listed at $96 tuition. Obedience drop-ins are $25 each.

Beyond classes

The club hosts trials, including a UKI agility trial and events at Lake Waccamaw.