Testimonials

THE ACADEMY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND DOGS
Agility! The Most Fun You Can Have with your Dogs!!!

Here is some feedback about AVID. Agility touches the heart and soul of many a dog and
owner in such a way that is sometimes hard to understand or explain. For those of us who have
undergone this magic,... no explanation is necessary.

France and Barry are exceptional agility and
dog trainers. They have been able to bring our
untrained and unfocused Stardard Poodle from
nearly unmanageable to being under control,
manageable, lovable and reponsive. Royal is
now doing very well in agility and is able to
concentrate, focus and will be excelling in
agility shortly.
We are amazed at the training skills of both
France and Barry. We have had numerous dog
trainers and, none of them have had the skills
and knowledge of AVID.
Jane and Brian Stretch

Hello to anyone who is interested in
Agility - the place to Learn, Compete, meet
wonderful people and HAVE FUN
is AVID - All Vancouver Island Dogs - for
classes that are structured for Fun,
Learning and SAFETY, France and Barry
are the best. For Trials that have great
Judges, a safe Venue with plenty of room
for day parking and overnight camping,
the place to be is AVID
I first went to France because I won an
hour's lesson with her. I don't know how
many hours I have spent training with her
and Barry since then but every one of
them has been very much worthwhile.
Since starting with AVID I have put a
VATChC on my Sheltie Jenny and even
though his training has been interrupted
many times due to other activities my
Sheltie, Bode has his Agility Dog of
Canada title as well as Agility Games Dog
of Canada title.
The training, trialing, and the commitment
on the part of France and Barry to help
you is tops at AVID.
Anne Mitchell

Through unforeseen circumstances, our year-old
Sheltie had some behavioural problems when she
first met France. France soon got us into agility, and
our Leah is a different puppy. She just lives for
her classes.
France has been so helpful and supportive, training
us both to work with our pup ... and it's the handlers
who need the most help! We all enjoy it so very
much. We are certainly not ultra-competitive, but
have entered Leah in several of the AVID trials, and
Barry and France run such a terrific show. It's
evident that all participants are so enthusiastic, so
spoiled with the myriad of details that are provided --
the number of volunteers shows how keen we all are.
Thanks, France and Barry, for so much.
With sincere appreciation,Ross and Noni Kemball

In Nov. 2006 I registered my Sheltie Sara for
her first ever agility class. I have always
trained my dogs in obedience classes but
found that after a couple of years my sheltie
needed some other stimulation. One of my
Obedience teachers suggested France and
AVID as a place we might enjoy. Neither of us
had ever been in agility before and I must say I
am totally hooked now. The classes are well
run by France and her experienced teachers
and I really like that each class remains small
and interesting for both you and your dog.
Everyone is able to learn at a pace that is
comfortable for them - constant
encouragement helps the learning curve
become very enjoyable. Thanks to France and
Barry for their very knowledgeable insite into
this great activity for you and your dog!
Anne Smiley and Sara

AVID Agility provides me and my K9
companions with a safe, supportive and fun
environment that focuses on positive
training reinforcement for both the handler
and the dog. France, Barry, and the AVID
instructors provide constructive handler
instruction, sensitive to the needs of each
specific dog, and provide insight into course
negotiation from both the dog's and the
handler's perspectives. Most importantly,
the instructors are keen, inquisitive and
continue to educate themselves so that they
can apply the skills and pass the information
onto the handlers participating in classes
and trials. Instruction takes place in nice
facilities under controlled supervision with
safe equipment, and with a lot of good
humour, great people and dogs, and a
supportive community which celebrates our
successes, sympathizes with our errors and
encourages us to get out there and try
again!
Thanks to you both, Barry and France, and
AVID Agility for providing me, Kashmere
and Rosa with a great activity to last a
lifetime!
Cheers, Jennifer White

If only our dogs could talk to us! But they can't, so
that's where France and Barry have stepped in. From
them I've learned how to clearly tell my dog what I
want and I'm now doing things with her that I never
imagined. There's no cookie-cutter approach here.
France and Barry have created a fun and supportive
training environment and they're always bringing
new techniques to classes for us to try. Learning to
train my dog has never been so fun.
Kiri Westnedge

Murphy and I have been training with AVID for
about 4 years. A novice
handler and a challenging dog are a difficult
combination but France and Barry specialize in
difficult challenges! Barry and France both provide
expert coaching on all aspects of agility and
gradually Murphy and I have worked ourselves up
to competing at the masters level.. More importantly
for me, in the process Murphy developed into a
happy confident dog - tho he still may have the
zoomies when we hit a trial course! The classes, the
workshops and the visiting instructors are all great
but even better is the AVID spirit.. for France and
Barry having fun with your dog and supporting
each other is what it is all about and their
philosophy comes through in all their work. Difficult
to put into words but people who hang out with
AVID are the BEST.
Wendy Amos

I have been training with AVID for several
years.
My young Irish Setter and I enjoy the positive
learning environment. The many skills that my
dog and I have acquired come in use every day
and in all venues.
Thank You Barry and France for your
knowledge, dedication and guidance.
Kathy Campbell and Fleuri

When I signed into Avid classes, my focus was
entirely upon providing agility training for my
rescue border collie. But with each class, I found
that while my dog was learning the agility course,
the process challenged and stimulated me as well.
This is due to France and her instructors who
provide enthusiastic, timely and always positive
instruction and feedback in an environment which
is fun, safe, well-euipped and comfortable for all
dogs and handlers.
I enjoy the supportive group camaraderie which
always develops in each class. I feel encouraged
to try new techniques with my dog, often ones I
had never considered. My dog eagerly
anticipates his agility class because he has found
an appropriate outlet for his brains and energy.
Likewise, I always look forward to learning and
using new techniques while I advance on my own
personal learning curve as a handler.
My dog may never be an agility star, but he and I
know our own small triumphs every class, and our
bond is immensely enriched by the experience.
Thank you France and all the wonderful
instructors at Avid!
Jan Warren and Shogun

My Golden Retriever, Jazz, and I have done all of
our agility training with AVIDagility. I choose
AVID because I can see how much
fun Jazz has, and how clearly France is able to
teach us moves that work especially for Jazz's
body structure and brain, as well as mine.
Classes are never 'one size fits all'. Each dog and
handler team gets training suggestions that fit its
skill and style. Jazz and I do agility because it is
fun for both of us -- part of the philosophy I find
at AVID. However, in spite of our limited
competitive trialing, Jazz has Q'd often and
enjoys the trials just as much as the practices.
Marsha and Jazz Mildon

I have learned soooo much about handling and
reading courses from my training with France. Which
in turn has also helped with my self confidence.
Thanks so very much France.
Judy/Georgie/Ishie.

As a newcomer to agility, I really appreciate the
AVID team's individualized approach to training.
Positive operant conditioning is respectful; building
on skills, ability and temperament. It works with my
dog and works for me, too (as I may have the most
to learn!). It's all about relationship building -
between trainers and owners and dogs. Thanks for
your patience and support, I know my relationship
with my dog is closer and deeper because of the
work we do together in agility. Thanks everyone at
Avid!
Sherrie and Indy

My experiences training at AVID is more than teaching your dog to do agility and developing a better bond with you dog, it is also about making new friends
from all walks of life that will support you and your dog through all the ups and downs of training (and competing � if you choose to). There is plenty of
encouragement and positive training methods that make the class environment a lot of fun (Caution: it�s addictive!). Even the most challenging dogs will have
a break through with the training methods provided. The only handler requirement (aside from wanting to have a lot of fun) is that you try. If it weren�t for
AVID, I would have missed some great runs with Naomi in training and see how far she has actually come. In addition, I most certainly would have missed the
opportunity to train my second dog, Kipp. His successes are the direct result of the training advice provided by France, Barry and all the AVID instructors.
Thanks to everyone at AVID!
P.S. May be one day Naomi will make her trialling debut and amaze us all.
Karen Brickett

I first came to AVID at the urging of a friend, in the hope that agility would provide my dog Kody with some much needed self-confidence. It didn�t take long
before I saw some noticeable improvements in his confidence, and mine, and we both began to look forward to our class with eagerness. France and Barry
excel at reading dogs (and handlers) and working with them to bring out their potential, in a fun and safe learning environment. They have boundless
patience and enthusiasm, and willingly share their expertise with all. The camaraderie and supportiveness of the AVID group as a whole are a direct reflection
of France and Barry�s encouraging and enabling approach. Anyone who has attended one of their trials, seminars, or camps will be able to attest to the level
of commitment and attention to detail that they bring, to ensure that everything goes smoothly, and everyone goes home feeling like a winner. I have learned
a lot not just about dog-training, but about myself and my abilities, and have grown much closer to my dogs, as a result of our classes. And I am proud to say
that I am a member of AAA�Avid Agility Addicts! Thank you very much France and Barry, and all of AVID!
Carol, Kody, Ross & Fleece