Click here to view text detailing concepts presented in this video

Board and Train + Lessons Program
Jump~Start Your Dog’s Agility Training!

Many people imagine their dogs running in an agility venue, but few are able to develop a plan of action to get there – or have any idea of where there might be! Some people believe agility is only a matter of getting dogs on the equipment and are disappointed to learn, later, their dogs were never introduced to the foundation skills that are necessary to achieve success in competitive venues.

People find it difficult to train their own dogs. We get that! Busy real-world people can be disappointed with the time required to do all of their own foundation training, thus many drop out of do-it-yourself lessons before achieving their goals.

This issue is not limited to agility – and neither are we! For over 20 years our Basic Board and Train program has catered to busy families who want to enjoy the company of well trained dogs. Now, we believe American Dog Obedience Center is the perfect solution to the problems people encounter in their quest for agility training. Our well-established, very special brand of dog training adapts nicely to a broad spectrum of agility-related goals. We have expanded our wonderful facility to include 2 well-equipped agility fields and a 30x30 indoor training room.

And now, American Dog Obedience Center’s Agility Board and Train program combines the dog training of our basic obedience boarding school program with additional skills that are specific to agility foundation training.

To understand the focus and scope of the Agility Board and Train Program, you must first read the information on our opening page and on the Beyond Results page. Because enhanced family companionship is foremost among our client goals, our Agility Board and Train Program is structured to also include the same basic skills and manners training every dog receives at American Dog Obedience Center. Training equipment (collar, magic carpet) included in our basic course is also included in the initial 4-week Agility Board and Train Program.

Note: To better understand the bulleted terms used on this page, review the video above AND click on the link to its accompanying pdf document.

In addition to the basic skills presented to every dog at American Dog Obedience Center’s Basic Obedience Program, our initial 4-week Agility Board and Train Program includes an introduction to:

• Click and treat reinforcement system
• Target training
• 2on/2off contact equipment preparation
• left-side and right-side recall (to handler)
• Proprioception – body awareness – introduced through practice on equipment developed especially for this purpose: wobble board, tiny teeter, contact board, dash board, ground bars.

Following the initial 4-week Agility Board and Train Program, dogs and handlers may work through private instruction or enroll in additional 3- week board and train clusters at American Dog Obedience Center. Clients and instructor will discuss which skills within the subsequent clusters below are to be introduced.

• Contact equipment (A-frame, teeter, dog walk) and pause table
• Weave poles (introduced as weave-a-matic and/or channel) and tunnels
• Jumping and handling

Our emphasis throughout Board and Train Agility clusters is on introduction to skills and concepts. There is no way to predict the time involved in any dog’s and/or handler’s mastery of skills. Dog’s age and physical condition are important considerations which should be discussed with your veterinarian as well as your instructor.

Private Lesson Plan

Private foundation agility lessons are also available to clients who choose to NOT enroll their dogs in Agility Board and Training clusters. Dogs enrolled in private lessons must have reliable off-leash recalls (coming back to handlers) before we begin teaching agility skills. Private lessons can help with that, too - remember, "Obedience" is our middle name!

Agility Program Fee Structures

Board and Train Clusters

• The cost of an initial Agility Board and Train 4 week course is $1650, which includes 2 private sessions.
• Each additional 3-week cluster costs $1100, which includes 2 private lessons.
• $100 discount on board and train programs to active military personnel as a gesture of appreciation for your service.
  
• Clients will most likely want/need to purchase additional private lessons during and/or after board and train clusters. Private lessons for those clients whose dogs have attended Agility Board and Train are $50 for each 45-60 minute lesson. Clients may choose to attend together and share the cost of a lesson.

Private Lessons (without Board and Train)

• Private lessons to clients who have not attended Board and Train Agility Program are $100 for the first lesson and $50 for subsequent lessons.
• There will be additional fees for the equipment that might otherwise be included in initial Board & Train courses.
• Two clients may choose to attend together and share the cost of private lessons.

Former clients

If your dog has already attended American Dog Obedience Center’s Basic Board and Train Program, call Kris Butler to discuss agility training options that might work best for you and your dogs.

Click here for important enrollment information.