About Buddy’s Ultimate Dog Sports & K9 Training, LLC

Buddy's Ultimate Dog Sports & K9 Training – B.U.D.S. – has the most clearly structured program set in this metro, and it is the only one organized by the dog's age rather than by how long you want to book. The site states "Established in 2021. Training dogs since 2012." and the business is named after the owner's grandfather.

What it will and will not take

This is worth knowing before anything else: "We do not offer board and train options for aggressive behavior." No aggressive dogs are accepted into the day-train programs either, for the safety of the other dogs staying there, and in both places the business offers to refer the case on instead. It also draws a clear line: "Please note reactivity and aggression are two different things" – it runs a reactivity program while declining aggression work.

Board and train

Spots are capped at two dogs per trainer household, and "your puppy/dog will be living with the head trainer, Lauren, in her home" rather than in a kennel block. The puppy program, for eight weeks to six months, is "2 weeks – $1500" or four weeks at $3,000, and sends the dog home with a training cot, leash and toy plus follow-up lessons and three months of trainer access by phone and email. For dogs over six months the obedience program runs three, four or five weeks – "3 weeks – $3000 with 2 lessons", rising to $4,500 for five weeks with four lessons – and requires a free in-home evaluation before booking.

Day training

The day-train ladder is age-banded. Tiny Voyagers is an eight-session bundle for puppies aged eight to sixteen weeks at $700, and the business states plainly that it "does not include any leash walking." Passport To Success is a fifteen-session program over five weeks for dogs six months to two years, at $1,500. Canine College is a fast two-week program for social adult dogs over two, at $1,000.

Fear and reactivity

Two behavior programs run on a schedule opposite the regular day trains, so there are fewer dogs and more hands on deck. "Have a fearful dog? Well this program is designed for you!" introduces Nervous Buddies, twelve sessions at "Cost: $1500", built on environmental exposure at the dog's own pace and repeatable if needed. Reactive Buddies runs five weeks with three sessions a week at "Cost: $2000", and is aimed at teaching the owner to read triggers, body language and environment as much as at the dog itself.

Sport, boarding and classes

Private lessons are $60 an hour or $30 for half an hour, with bundles available for sport and trick work. Boarding is $30 a day with paid add-ons, including "Dog sport sessions: Choose between disc, agility, or fastcat." at $65 a day and summer swimming. Group classes are $150 for a six-week course and are capped at six dogs, and "All of our group classes will currently be held at Legion Dog & Cat Supply located off of Exit 1 in Clarksville." – worth noting if you are coming from the south side of the county.