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Dog Agility Training Through Basic Obedience

Dog Training Elite Asheville

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A dog sitting at a park - discover how DTE can help you start dog agility training in Asheville, NC with our obedience program!

Obedience Training from DTE

The First Step Toward Dog Agility Training in Asheville, NC

Agility is a fast-paced sport that involves guiding dogs through different obstacle courses. The best candidates for this type of training are energetic, athletic dogs with a strong drive to work and learn, such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Jack Russell Terriers, and Belgian Malinois. However, any dog with enthusiasm, focus, and basic obedience training can benefit from agility exercises.

Many owners choose DTE for basic obedience before starting dog agility training in Asheville, NC. While we don’t offer competition-level training, our obedience programs help build key skills like focus, impulse control, and responsiveness.

Our trainers will work closely with you throughout the obedience program, ensuring your dog masters fundamental commands and you feel confident to continue agility training on your own.

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Why Start Obedience Training Before Agility Training?

Dog Training Elite

Agility training demands focus, discipline, and responsiveness. Before tackling obstacle courses, dogs need a solid foundation in obedience to ensure they can follow commands, stay engaged, and work as a team with their handler.

Here’s how obedience training with Dog Training Elite sets dogs up for success in agility:

Agility courses can be full of distractions, including large crowds, other dogs, and loud noises. Obedience training teaches your dog to stay focused on you and respond to commands, even in high-energy environments.

Agility courses require dogs to pause and wait at key thresholds, such as the start line, and only move when directed. Obedience training reinforces patience and discipline through commands like “sit,” “heel,” and “down,” ensuring your dog stays focused and follows the rules of the sport.

Obedience training deepens trust and communication between dog and handler, making teamwork in agility training much more effective. A confident dog is more likely to take on new challenges with enthusiasm.

Before dogs can learn agility-specific commands, they must first master basic obedience. Training in focus, recall, and impulse control lays the groundwork for advanced commands like “jump,” “tunnel,” “weave,” and “climb.”

At Dog Training Elite, we don’t teach advanced agility commands, but our training makes it easier for your dog to learn and respond to agility training in the future.

A dog sitting on park equipment - start obedience training with Dog Training Elite if you want to start dog agility training in Asheville, NC.

Skills, Obstacles, and Owner Training Techniques

Learn About Dog Agility

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If your dog has mastered basic obedience and you're interested in starting agility training on your own, understanding what obstacles to train for is the first place to start.

Here are some common agility challenges and training tips:

Jumps

Dogs must leap over hurdles at varying heights without knocking the bar down. In competitions, jumps can include single bars, double jumps, and tire jumps.

  • Training Tip: Start with low jumps and use treats or toys to guide your dog over. Gradually increase height as their confidence and ability grows.

Weave Poles

Dogs weave through a series of upright poles in a precise pattern. This is one of the most challenging agility obstacles, requiring speed, flexibility, and precise footwork.

  • Training Tip: Use a lure-and-reward method or guide your dog through the poles with a leash. Begin with wider pole spacing and narrow the gaps as your dog improves.

Tunnels

Dogs run through enclosed tunnels, which can be straight or curved. Some dogs may hesitate at first, especially if they are unfamiliar with dark or enclosed spaces.

  • Training Tip: Start with a short, straight tunnel and use treats or a favorite toy to encourage your dog through. Gradually introduce curved tunnels to increase difficulty.

A-Frame & Dog Walk

These obstacles require dogs to climb, balance, and descend elevated surfaces. The A-frame is a tall, triangular ramp, while the dog walk is a narrow, elevated plank with ramps on both ends. Both require precise foot placement and body control.

  • Training Tip: Use a leash or hand signals to guide your dog slowly up and down. Reward calm, controlled movements to prevent them from rushing or jumping off too soon.

Additional Obedience Training Info

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Dog Training Elite Asheville - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Asheville, NC
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Dog Training Elite Asheville - Puppy Obedience Training in Asheville, NC. DTE
Puppy Obedience Training
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A pup walking through a tunnel - find Asheville dog agility trainers.

Obedience Training From DTE: A Great Start for Asheville Dog Agility Trainers


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If you’re looking to hire a agility trainer or want to start agility exercises on your own, consider obedience training from Dog Training Elite first.

While some professional agility trainers and classes may introduce basic obedience, Dog Training Elite’s personalized, in-person obedience program ensures your dog masters focus, impulse control, and responsiveness. These key skills make agility training safer, more enjoyable, and more effective for you and your pup.

Get started today and contact Dog Training Elite Asheville for expert obedience training!

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Claire Chappell
    May. 2, 2025
    I first reached out to David from Dog Training Elite Asheville when I had just moved to Asheville, and my dog was stressed, behaving aggressively, and resource guarding. I was scared and needed help asap because I didn't know how to deal with it. I called David, and he reassured me and gave me clear action steps for in-house training. Within just a couple of sessions, I've seen a MASSIVE difference in how my dog is behaving. He's confident, trusts me, and is friendly to anyone that comes in the door. He is all around a happier dog. I would recommend them to anyone that needs help with dog behavior and training. They're also kind people and often very flexible scheduling-wise!
  • Carol Bourke
    Apr. 26, 2025
    Our dog, Parker, learned so much from David’s and Nicole’s training — and so did we! Their gentle, knowledgeable approach immediately put Parker at ease and made him receptive to learning. They made every session fun, engaging, and positive. Thanks to their guidance, Parker has grown tremendously and is noticeably happier and more confident. We’re so grateful for their help and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for thoughtful, effective dog training.
  • Aimée Mercier
    Apr. 23, 2025
    We have had a great experience with David and Nicole. They are thorough, responsive, knowledgeable and fun! Our puppy has done great and we are amazed with the results. I highly recommend their program!!
  • Lauren Bucherie
    Apr. 23, 2025
    I have so many wonderful things to say about David and Nicole at Dog Training Elite! They were incredibly successful in training our dog Stetson (as well as training us!) on how to behave and live our best lives together with our small children. I highly recommend this company and their services.
  • Hollie Swofford
    Mar. 31, 2025
    I started working with the DTE-Asheville team a few months ago, to train my dog Toby as a service dog. I found them via online search and really appreciated how informative their website was, that they are an official/approved trainer for recognized service dogs, and that they will train your existing dog (vs being required to adopt a specific puppy to train for this purpose). Then when I spoke with David on the phone and met him for the initial consultation, I knew they were the right choice for me and Toby. We started with a few weeks of basic obedience training - that's the first step for every dog going through their program and it's a game changer! Toby had done "puppy class" years before and knew some basic commands, but still was a leash puller when excited and only had reliable recall when cheese was involved. Recall was fixed and 100% perfect after just the first training session and has remained perfect since! And he also now reliably walks to heel when requested too. We're nearly through the full program and I'm going into his last couple of sessions confident in his service dog skills and that he will pass the tests required to earn the certification. I would recommend Dog Training Elite Asheville to any pet parent who is committed to working with their dog!
  • Patricia English
    Mar. 26, 2025
    David and Nikki are phenomenal trainers! Simba, our rescued retriever, was bit the day after the hurricane by a German Shepard. He began to show aggression and biting. After 3 bites, in which all the people had to go to Urgent Care, we began to think we were going to have to put him down. We took him to the Vets to check if anything was physically wrong. Everything checked OK. By some miracle, and a long, but good story, Nikki and David reached out to us. We signed up for their training immediately. A great adventure began. They gave us hope and trained us and Simba for proper responses. He is a different dog. We now have the knowledge and tools to work with, and we can safely say, he is not a biter any longer! We will be trying our first Lowes visit with a group of dog graduates. Wish us luck! This training is A Plus! Patricia English Ken Huser
  • Barclay Garnett
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Our little Mila is now the best doggie ever. We can not thank Elite enough.
  • Brooke McDonald
    Mar. 19, 2025
    I can't say enough great things about David and Nicole! From day one, they were patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping my dog, Stetson, succeed. Their training methods are effective, positive, and tailored to my dog’s unique needs. I've seen such an incredible transformation—better behavior, more confidence, and a stronger bond between us. Before the training, Stetson was difficult to handle. He did not listen, nor did he want to. It was chaos with a three-year-old and a newborn, but he has done a complete 180. Stetson can be around the kids and has a calm and playful demeanor. He can go for car rides and walks in the neighborhood, without walking me. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND giving David a call. If you're looking for a trainer who genuinely cares and delivers accurate results, I highly recommend calling David and Nicole/Dog Training Elite. They are absolute professionals and worth every penny! Thank you so much for your dedication and expertise! 🐶👏
  • Kelly Godfrey
    Mar. 13, 2025
    I engaged the Webbs to help me train my mini-dachshunds for therapy work. (Nursing home/hospice type visits). The Webbs were wonderful and helped turn this pair of young dogs onto well behaved citizens yet still allowing them their fun loving spirit. I enjoyed the experience of learning how to be a better owner to my dogs.
  • S Gourgourinis
    Feb. 14, 2025
    David and his team are very knowledgeable and were a great help to us and our sweet Doberman. Highly recommend!
  • Sequoia Cheney
    Feb. 8, 2025
    Joy loves David and Nikki💜 their training methods are personal, efficient and comprehensive. Through their guidance Joy is taking the next step from basic training and soon be a certified therapy dog! We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Amanda O
    Feb. 8, 2025
    This was exactly what our pups needed. Our family can now confidently enjoy taking our dogs out and about knowing that they will behave. We had tried other obedience training in the past with minimal success. Dog Training Elite gave us the tools we needed to successfully train our two young pups.
  • Jack Cheney
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Our dog Joy, a shih tzu, loves David and Nicki!! Through their caring approach and at home follow-up, Joy is making wonderful progress learning the skills and confidence to help her become a happy and effective therapy dog. Many thanks, Sequoia and Jack
  • Michael Lewis
    Jan. 18, 2025
    David and the Dog Training Elite team are truly lifesavers. Our dog struggled with aggression with other dogs, which prevented us from being able to take him out with us and give him the life he needed. After just two months our pup was completely changed! I cannot overstate how effective David and his team are, and they create a friendly and fun environment at every training session.
  • hannah clayton
    Jan. 18, 2025
    I truly couldn’t be happier with our experience with Elite dog training. When I met David, I was afraid to do anything with my dog, I was even afraid to walk him alone. Now, I am living with ease and my dog is so much happier. He gets to come everywhere with us and we have all the tools to ensure a safe experience for all. When I say it was miraculous, I’m not exaggerating. I wish we would’ve done this years ago! Plus, they are so kind and thoughtful which makes training feel less like work, and more like fun!
  • Beth Parrott
    Jan. 10, 2025
    David and Nicole are an excellent team. Their love of dogs is so evident. I wanted to fine tune some of my 3 year old Cavapoo s behavior. In 3 private in home sessions my dog learned how to hold place, heel to eliminate lease pulling and much more. They were very clear to make me understand that the tins collar was not painful or harmless to Vinnie. In fact, Vinnie is happy to have the collar placed each day. I highly recommend working with David and Nicole.
  • Ian O'Shaughnessy
    Dec. 5, 2024
    What a great experience for my dog and I! They worked with Kieran on his obiedence on the gold package and help solidify his fundamentals. He can now walk past the house with a ton of dogs with out barking and doesn’t pull on his leash making walks more enjoyable! 10/10 recommend
  • Dawn Marie Westmoreland
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Ainsley loves his dog trainer, David Webb with Dog Training Elite Asheville. He is a fast learner and I'm glad to be trained, too. What a difference three weeks of training makes. Ainsley is performing much better in all the commands he has learned. #Ainsley #DavidWebb #Dogtraining #resiliency #Asheville
  • Dawn Westmoreland
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Ainsley loves his dog trainer, David Webb with Dog Training Elite Asheville. He is a fast learner and I'm glad to be trained, too. What a difference three weeks of training makes. Ainsley is performing much better in all the commands he has learned. David and Nicki Webb are professionals with heart and the training has been invaluable. It's better than the original training we had with another company. Highly recommend Elite Dog Training!!
  • Bradley Archer
    Nov. 2, 2024
    I was diagnosed with Autism as an adult over three years ago. I've been trying to find a way to afford a service animal since then. I almost gave up... the dogs I was finding were upwards of $40k! I couldn't afford it... When I found David at Dog Training Elite, he offered training at a tenth of the price I was finding, I just had to acquire the pup on my own. I wanted to train a rescue instead of getting a dog from a breeder--David came with me to help me pick out a trainable pup at no cost! Been training with them for about 5 months now and my pup is excellently behaved in public and at work, at only 8 months old! I couldn't possibly recommend these guys any more strongly.
  • Claire Chappell
    May. 2, 2025
    I first reached out to David from Dog Training Elite Asheville when I had just moved to Asheville, and my dog was stressed, behaving aggressively, and resource guarding. I was scared and needed help asap because I didn't know how to deal with it. I called David, and he reassured me and gave me clear action steps for in-house training. Within just a couple of sessions, I've seen a MASSIVE difference in how my dog is behaving. He's confident, trusts me, and is friendly to anyone that comes in the door. He is all around a happier dog. I would recommend them to anyone that needs help with dog behavior and training. They're also kind people and often very flexible scheduling-wise!
  • Carol Bourke
    Apr. 26, 2025
    Our dog, Parker, learned so much from David’s and Nicole’s training — and so did we! Their gentle, knowledgeable approach immediately put Parker at ease and made him receptive to learning. They made every session fun, engaging, and positive. Thanks to their guidance, Parker has grown tremendously and is noticeably happier and more confident. We’re so grateful for their help and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for thoughtful, effective dog training.
  • Aimée Mercier
    Apr. 23, 2025
    We have had a great experience with David and Nicole. They are thorough, responsive, knowledgeable and fun! Our puppy has done great and we are amazed with the results. I highly recommend their program!!
  • Lauren Bucherie
    Apr. 23, 2025
    I have so many wonderful things to say about David and Nicole at Dog Training Elite! They were incredibly successful in training our dog Stetson (as well as training us!) on how to behave and live our best lives together with our small children. I highly recommend this company and their services.
  • Hollie Swofford
    Mar. 31, 2025
    I started working with the DTE-Asheville team a few months ago, to train my dog Toby as a service dog. I found them via online search and really appreciated how informative their website was, that they are an official/approved trainer for recognized service dogs, and that they will train your existing dog (vs being required to adopt a specific puppy to train for this purpose). Then when I spoke with David on the phone and met him for the initial consultation, I knew they were the right choice for me and Toby. We started with a few weeks of basic obedience training - that's the first step for every dog going through their program and it's a game changer! Toby had done "puppy class" years before and knew some basic commands, but still was a leash puller when excited and only had reliable recall when cheese was involved. Recall was fixed and 100% perfect after just the first training session and has remained perfect since! And he also now reliably walks to heel when requested too. We're nearly through the full program and I'm going into his last couple of sessions confident in his service dog skills and that he will pass the tests required to earn the certification. I would recommend Dog Training Elite Asheville to any pet parent who is committed to working with their dog!
  • Patricia English
    Mar. 26, 2025
    David and Nikki are phenomenal trainers! Simba, our rescued retriever, was bit the day after the hurricane by a German Shepard. He began to show aggression and biting. After 3 bites, in which all the people had to go to Urgent Care, we began to think we were going to have to put him down. We took him to the Vets to check if anything was physically wrong. Everything checked OK. By some miracle, and a long, but good story, Nikki and David reached out to us. We signed up for their training immediately. A great adventure began. They gave us hope and trained us and Simba for proper responses. He is a different dog. We now have the knowledge and tools to work with, and we can safely say, he is not a biter any longer! We will be trying our first Lowes visit with a group of dog graduates. Wish us luck! This training is A Plus! Patricia English Ken Huser
  • Barclay Garnett
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Our little Mila is now the best doggie ever. We can not thank Elite enough.
  • Brooke McDonald
    Mar. 19, 2025
    I can't say enough great things about David and Nicole! From day one, they were patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping my dog, Stetson, succeed. Their training methods are effective, positive, and tailored to my dog’s unique needs. I've seen such an incredible transformation—better behavior, more confidence, and a stronger bond between us. Before the training, Stetson was difficult to handle. He did not listen, nor did he want to. It was chaos with a three-year-old and a newborn, but he has done a complete 180. Stetson can be around the kids and has a calm and playful demeanor. He can go for car rides and walks in the neighborhood, without walking me. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND giving David a call. If you're looking for a trainer who genuinely cares and delivers accurate results, I highly recommend calling David and Nicole/Dog Training Elite. They are absolute professionals and worth every penny! Thank you so much for your dedication and expertise! 🐶👏
  • Kelly Godfrey
    Mar. 13, 2025
    I engaged the Webbs to help me train my mini-dachshunds for therapy work. (Nursing home/hospice type visits). The Webbs were wonderful and helped turn this pair of young dogs onto well behaved citizens yet still allowing them their fun loving spirit. I enjoyed the experience of learning how to be a better owner to my dogs.
  • S Gourgourinis
    Feb. 14, 2025
    David and his team are very knowledgeable and were a great help to us and our sweet Doberman. Highly recommend!
  • Sequoia Cheney
    Feb. 8, 2025
    Joy loves David and Nikki💜 their training methods are personal, efficient and comprehensive. Through their guidance Joy is taking the next step from basic training and soon be a certified therapy dog! We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Amanda O
    Feb. 8, 2025
    This was exactly what our pups needed. Our family can now confidently enjoy taking our dogs out and about knowing that they will behave. We had tried other obedience training in the past with minimal success. Dog Training Elite gave us the tools we needed to successfully train our two young pups.
  • Jack Cheney
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Our dog Joy, a shih tzu, loves David and Nicki!! Through their caring approach and at home follow-up, Joy is making wonderful progress learning the skills and confidence to help her become a happy and effective therapy dog. Many thanks, Sequoia and Jack
  • Michael Lewis
    Jan. 18, 2025
    David and the Dog Training Elite team are truly lifesavers. Our dog struggled with aggression with other dogs, which prevented us from being able to take him out with us and give him the life he needed. After just two months our pup was completely changed! I cannot overstate how effective David and his team are, and they create a friendly and fun environment at every training session.
  • hannah clayton
    Jan. 18, 2025
    I truly couldn’t be happier with our experience with Elite dog training. When I met David, I was afraid to do anything with my dog, I was even afraid to walk him alone. Now, I am living with ease and my dog is so much happier. He gets to come everywhere with us and we have all the tools to ensure a safe experience for all. When I say it was miraculous, I’m not exaggerating. I wish we would’ve done this years ago! Plus, they are so kind and thoughtful which makes training feel less like work, and more like fun!
  • Beth Parrott
    Jan. 10, 2025
    David and Nicole are an excellent team. Their love of dogs is so evident. I wanted to fine tune some of my 3 year old Cavapoo s behavior. In 3 private in home sessions my dog learned how to hold place, heel to eliminate lease pulling and much more. They were very clear to make me understand that the tins collar was not painful or harmless to Vinnie. In fact, Vinnie is happy to have the collar placed each day. I highly recommend working with David and Nicole.
  • Ian O'Shaughnessy
    Dec. 5, 2024
    What a great experience for my dog and I! They worked with Kieran on his obiedence on the gold package and help solidify his fundamentals. He can now walk past the house with a ton of dogs with out barking and doesn’t pull on his leash making walks more enjoyable! 10/10 recommend
  • Dawn Marie Westmoreland
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Ainsley loves his dog trainer, David Webb with Dog Training Elite Asheville. He is a fast learner and I'm glad to be trained, too. What a difference three weeks of training makes. Ainsley is performing much better in all the commands he has learned. #Ainsley #DavidWebb #Dogtraining #resiliency #Asheville
  • Dawn Westmoreland
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Ainsley loves his dog trainer, David Webb with Dog Training Elite Asheville. He is a fast learner and I'm glad to be trained, too. What a difference three weeks of training makes. Ainsley is performing much better in all the commands he has learned. David and Nicki Webb are professionals with heart and the training has been invaluable. It's better than the original training we had with another company. Highly recommend Elite Dog Training!!
  • Bradley Archer
    Nov. 2, 2024
    I was diagnosed with Autism as an adult over three years ago. I've been trying to find a way to afford a service animal since then. I almost gave up... the dogs I was finding were upwards of $40k! I couldn't afford it... When I found David at Dog Training Elite, he offered training at a tenth of the price I was finding, I just had to acquire the pup on my own. I wanted to train a rescue instead of getting a dog from a breeder--David came with me to help me pick out a trainable pup at no cost! Been training with them for about 5 months now and my pup is excellently behaved in public and at work, at only 8 months old! I couldn't possibly recommend these guys any more strongly.