Dogwood Training Center

Current offerings include Saturday Scent Work clinics (introductory and ongoing) and individualized Canine Conditioning programs with in-person and remote options. Structure and Gait Analysis is available to assess movement and support veterinary care. Agility classes are discontinued; only arena rentals are permitted for current students. No new students are accepted for agility or Barn Hunt. Private lessons are limited to existing clients only.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is not publicly listed. Scent Work clinics are $75 per working dog. Canine Conditioning and Gait Analysis services are available by private consultation. Arena rentals are limited to current students and pricing is available upon request.

Policies

Pre-registration is required for Scent Work clinics. Working spots are limited to six dogs per clinic. Arena rentals are restricted to current students and those competing at the Open level or higher. No new students are accepted for agility or Barn Hunt classes. All current services are by appointment or pre-registration only.

Dogwood Training Center, located in Ostrander, Ohio, is a rural training facility founded and operated by Sally Boarman, a dog trainer with experience since the early 1990s. The center has transitioned its primary focus from agility to Scent Work and Canine Conditioning & Fitness, as Sally is semi-retiring from agility instruction. While weekly agility classes are no longer offered, the indoor arena is available for rental by current students and competitive handlers to practice independently. Scent Work classes and introductory clinics are currently offered on Saturdays, open only to existing Dogwood students. Canine Conditioning programs are available both in-person and remotely, including Structure and Gait Analysis to support veterinary care and injury prevention. Sally has trained and competed with multiple high-achieving dogs in AKC Agility, Barn Hunt, and Herding, and holds certification as a Professional Canine Fitness Trainer. The facility includes a 5-acre property with sheep, chickens, ducks, and Barn Hunt rats, offering a unique, natural environment for training.

Dogwood no longer offers Barn Hunt classes or agility instruction to new students. Private lessons are limited to current students only. The center emphasizes positive, fun-based training and prioritizes the well-being of both dogs and handlers.

Sally’s personal experience includes competing at national levels with multiple dogs, including her Australian Shepherd Aussie, who earned multiple MACH titles and placed in the top 50% at five AKC National Championships. She also trained Border Collies in agility, herding, and tracking, and continues to train her current dog, Soar, in foundational skills.

The facility is not open to the general public for new training programs but serves as a private training hub for committed dog owners who have previously trained with Sally or are continuing their training journey.

Sally is also a certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer and offers individualized conditioning plans for performance dogs and family companions, including those recovering from injury or needing maintenance programs.

Accomplishments

Sally Boarman competed with her Australian Shepherd, Aussie, at five AKC National Agility Championships, achieving top 50% finishes each time and placing 11th in Finals in 2013. Aussie ranked in the top 50 AKC Australian Shepherds from 2008–2012. Sally is a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer. She helped establish the first Flyball team in Greenbelt, MD, and has trained dogs in agility, herding, tracking, and Barn Hunt over three decades.

How to Get Started!

Interested dog owners must be current Dogwood students to enroll in Scent Work or Conditioning programs. New clients are not accepted for agility or Barn Hunt. To inquire about Scent Work clinics or Canine Conditioning, contact Sally via email or phone to discuss availability and registration.