The agility price
How much is agility training for dogs?
Agility is the most fun question our team gets, usually from the owner of a border collie, an Aussie or a mixed-breed dog with energy to burn. Here is what $2,500 covers, who it suits and how Houston's climate shapes it.
Last reviewed September 29, 2026 · by the Best Dog University Team
The price
$2,500 for two weeks of agility, with the go-home session included.
The Agility Board & Train is a two-week stay at $2,500. The price covers your dog's time in our trainer's home, the agility sessions, the Monday, Wednesday and Friday photo and video updates, and the go-home session. The equipment work covers the core agility obstacles, taught in steps, so the dog learns to take each one confidently and safely.
Door-to-door transport is an optional $250 and includes the first lesson in your home. The $250 deposit that holds your dates comes off the program price. For two dogs, programs are priced per dog and our team quotes the household on the free phone consultation.
- Weave poles
- Jumps
- The A-frame
- Tunnels
- The seesaw
Who it suits
Agility suits a fit, energetic dog that already has basic obedience and is done growing.
Agility builds on obedience rather than replacing it. A dog that comes when called, walks on a leash and holds a sit learns obstacles quickly, because it can already listen while excited. A dog without those basics spends the two weeks learning manners instead.
Physical readiness matters as much. Jumps, the A-frame and the seesaw put strain on growing joints, so our team prefers dogs that are done growing and physically sound. For a young dog under a year, or a dog with joint concerns, ask your vet first, and consider Free-Style, which is the same length and price and focuses on tricks and engagement.
- Comes when called and walks on a leash
- Holds a sit and a stay
- Done growing and physically sound
- Vet check if in doubt
What it is not
Agility is enrichment, not a fix for behavior problems.
Agility gives an energetic dog a job, and many families find the dog calmer at home afterward. It does not teach loose leash walking, stop jumping on guests or change reactivity. Those are separate programs, and it is better to do them first.
| Program | Length | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agility Board & Train | 2 weeks | $2,500 | Energetic dogs with basic obedience |
| Free-Style Board & Train | 2 weeks | $2,500 | Bright dogs that enjoy tricks and focus |
| Gold Board & Train | 2 weeks | $2,500 | Pulling, jumping, doors and impulse control |
| Platinum Board & Train | 3 weeks | $3,750 | Reactivity, aggression and public manners |
Getting ready
Six steps get a dog ready for an agility stay.
Houston's heat decides when agility can happen. From May to September, sessions move to the early morning and evening, and equipment and pavement both get the back-of-hand test. Many families book agility for the cooler months from fall through spring.
Ask your vet whether your dog's joints and weight are ready for jumping and climbing.
Check the basics: a reliable sit, a recall and a loose leash in your own yard.
Trim nails so the dog grips the equipment well.
Build fitness with walks and play in the cool hours for a few weeks beforehand.
Book the free phone consultation and ask whether Agility or Free-Style suits your dog better.
Reserve your dates with the $250 deposit, ideally in the cooler months.
At Best Dog University
Agility is one of two enrichment stays, and our team will steer you honestly.
Agility and Free-Style are both two-week enrichment programs at $2,500, and some dogs do both, a few months apart. Enrichment dogs train at the home and on the property rather than on public field trips, which belong to Platinum and VIP. If you want public work afterward, private lessons at $160 in Cypress or $220 at home can add it.
Agility suits the athletic breeds families bring us, border collies, Australian shepherds, Labs and energetic mixed breeds, as long as their bodies are ready. If your dog needs manners first, our team will say so, and the path is Gold, then Agility.
The programs
Two weeks of fun, or two weeks of foundation.
Agility and Free-Style are enrichment stays for dogs with the basics; Gold builds the basics first.
Asked and answered
Questions people ask about this.
Is agility training worth it for a pet dog?
For a high-energy dog with the basics in place, often yes. It gives the dog a mental and physical job, builds confidence and strengthens the bond with its handler. It is not a substitute for obedience or behavior work, so a dog with manners problems gets more value from Gold first.
Can my puppy do agility?
Not the full program. Jumps, the A-frame and the seesaw are hard on growing joints, so our team prefers dogs that are done growing. A young dog can start with Free-Style or with obedience in Gold, and move to Agility later once a vet is happy with its joints.
Which breeds do well at agility?
Herding and sporting breeds such as border collies, Australian shepherds and Labs often love it, and many mixed breeds do too. Size and energy matter more than pedigree. Heavy or flat-faced breeds may struggle with the jumps and the Houston heat, so ask our team about your dog.
Can my dog do both Agility and Free-Style?
Yes. They are two separate stays, each two weeks at $2,500 and each ending in its own go-home session. Many families start with Free-Style, because the focus and engagement work make agility easier later, but our team will suggest the order based on your dog's age, build and energy.
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Have a dog that needs a job?
Tell our team about your dog's energy and training on a free phone consultation. If Agility fits, a $250 deposit reserves your two weeks.