About Team Sport of Agility

Michelle Barnes, Certified Agility Instructor

Michelle started her agility career in 2000. She and her dogs grew to love the sport. They found it to be great fun and it creates strong handler/dog partnerships. Michelle has a natural ability to teach; hence the creation of her business – Team Sport Of Agility. She is a Certified Agility Instructor through Julie Daniel’s White Mountain Agility School in New Hampshire.  Michelle has worked and trained with agility handlers like Jen Pinder, Marry Ellen Barry, Karen Holik, Jen and Susan Crank, Stuart & Pattie Mah, Greg Derrett, Julie Daniels and Linda Mecklenberg.  

Team Sport Of Agility is Michelle’s full-time occupation.   Only positive reinforcement methods are utilized.  She teaches group classes and private instruction and offers levels of agility training from Puppy Introduction to Competition agility which is geared for those competition teams working toward their master and championship agility titles. Equipment used at Team Sport of Agility is all  rubberized AKC regulation equipment.

Group class sizes are limited to ensure all participants get the personalized attention they require. Michelle believes that Agility Foundation is the Key to a Successful Team.  She takes great pride in the accomplishments of her students and their partners.  Michelle teaches all breeds and all disciplines -- AKC, USDAA, UKC, NADAC, ASCA and CPE Agility.

About Us

 

What is ARFF Day-Agility Run For Fun day

Winter Hours: Check in 8:30 AM / Start 9:00 AM Summer Hours: Check in 7:30 AM  / start at 8 AM There will be (3) levels to run / The course this month will be a "Standard Course" The cost is $5.00 a run. Please bring correct change. There will be a (2) Minute Maximum time limit for each run. All levels will run at the same time in your jump height. Toys and Treats are allowed / No harsh methods will be accepted.

 CO-OP - Agility run throughs*select Friday nights* @ 7PM

The cost is $5.00 a dog a night It will consist of a nested agility sequences, so you won't be running only one course a night. You can possibly run 3 or more sequences on one course a night.

Work Shops and Clinics

In a workshop we can tweak certain areas your having difficulty with. For the weave poles we can fine tune the entrance, sharpen the touches on contacts.

Specialty Seminars

Specific Seminars taught: Foundation Jumping – Jump grids. Also Recall to Heal and using the recall to heal positions on course.  Box Work and Serpentines. "Throughout the year we have guest clinicians who come to help use improve our agility skills in many different ways."

Testimonials

  • I highly recommend Team Sport of Agility for your training needs. Classes are well organized and the handling skills you will learn will help you and your dog in agility trials. I started with Introduction to Agility and will soon be finishing Advanced Agility then on to Agility Level 1, 2, and 3 (a total of 36 weeks). Michelle is very encouraging and wants the best experience for you and your dog. Thanks Michelle, Ranger and I are learning to be a better team with your help.

    -- Elizabeth Hurley

  • Michelle Barnes and Team Sport of Agility has been a lifeline on my agility journey, I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to train under her guidance.       Michelle willingly shares her vast years of experience and knowledge in agility training and competition. She encourages, guides and strives to give her students whatever their goals might be. Michelle gives 110% in all instruction for both private and class lessons.      

    Her history reveals her commitment, discipline, patience, motivation and success in her agility and personal life. I’m proud to be associated with this dedicated, honest and dependable lady. She is a wonderful example of enjoying and being successful at what you love doing. I would definitely recommend Michelle Barnes and Team Sport of Agility to anyone who has an interest in agility and having fun with your best friend.

    -- Elaine Wilson

  • Michelle is a highly qualified trainer that has helped me work towards my agility goals with my dog.  Michelle was recommended to me by a fellow dog owner who knew I had several agility skills that needed to be fixed.  During the months under Michelle’s guidance, I have been challenged and pushed by her, and those skills have been corrected and improved.  She has taught Bella and me a great deal, while making training fun and inspiring so that we have reached many new goals. 

    Michelle clearly loves watching handlers and their dogs learn together and work as a team. Her ability to connect with her clients and their dog/s is amazing.  She practices a completely positive, no punishment approach to dog training.  Her advice, tips, passion for the sport, knowledge and encouragement are what makes Michelle an impressive trainer.  I enthusiastically endorse Michelle & Team Sport of Agility to any one that owns a dog and has a desire to develop a lasting friendship with your dog while having the time of your life.  

    --Janice L. Hamilton & Bella

  • At our first lesson we appreciate all the extra time that you took with us. We know you had to give us the mindset and body language for the handler as it relates to guiding the dog through the course. Explain why you do things the you do, especially for beginners--safety and for efficiency. Talk about the pacing and the importance of handler's cues and body language plus a lot of other subtle, but important things we've never thought about.

    We were very impressed with the care that you take with dogs' safety, as well as how to make every second count for the dog's moves.

    Now that we have met you and seen your very fine-tuned program, there is no one else that we would recommend to teach agility for their dogs. You and your mother must have been a real "force" on the circuit! Wish we could have seen you two.

    Again, thank you again for all your quality time with us, and wiyh Lily.

    Faith

Our Team

Michelle Barnes, Owner-trainer

Michelle started her agility career in 2000. Michelle has a natural ability to teach; hence the creation of her business – Team Sport Of Agility

Magi-operations Manager

Magi has complied AKC Master Championship Two with Gold Standard and Jumpers Agility titles. He will be helping with maintaining "fun" at Team Sport of Agility. Fun agility run thrus and clinics.

D.O.G.- Competition manager

MACH2 D.O.G. will be in charge of our events to attend section here at Team Sport of Agility. He will be scheduling mini agility clinics and agility seminars. Also ARFF days and AKC ACT tests.