This article analyzes two fundamentally different resources for agility club owners: AgilityFinder and DogBizSuccess. Although both can support agility businesses, our examination reveals they serve entirely different functions - one provides operational software while the other offers business education and coaching.
AgilityFinder is a dedicated platform linking dog owners to agility clubs and courses, providing a free app for handlers and an extensive ClubManager system for club leaders and coaches. Developed by seasoned agility competitors who comprehend the unique difficulties of managing an agility club.
DogBizSuccess is a business coaching and education platform for positive reinforcement dog trainers. It offers coaching programs, business resources, and community support to help trainers build successful businesses, but does not provide operational software for managing classes or bookings.
TL;DR
For agility clubs needing management software, AgilityFinder is the only solution between these two options. DogBizSuccess provides valuable business coaching and education but offers no software for booking classes, managing members, or running daily operations. AgilityFinder delivers the complete technical infrastructure required to operate an agility club, while DogBizSuccess could complement it by teaching business strategy and marketing skills to help clubs grow.
Cost Comparison
| Feature | AgilityFinder ClubManager | DogBizSuccess |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Puppy: €8.99/month (16 classes/month) Pro: €16.99/month (32 classes/month) Championship: €29.99/month (unlimited classes) | THRIVE! Essentials: $35/month THRIVE! Pro: Varies Individual coaching: Custom pricing |
| Testing Phase | 60 days free trial, no credit card required | No free trial for coaching programs |
| Payment Structure | Monthly or annual subscription (20% discount annually) | Monthly membership or per-session coaching |
| What You Get | Full club management software | Business education and coaching |
| Target User | Agility clubs needing operational tools | Trainers seeking business knowledge |
Feature Comparison
| Functionality | AgilityFinder | DogBizSuccess |
|---|---|---|
| Class Reservation System | ✅ Full booking platform | ❌ No software provided |
| Repeating Classes | ✅ One-click creation | ❌ Education only |
| Automated Waitlists | ✅ Integrated | ❌ Not applicable |
| Member Management | ✅ Complete database | ❌ No member tools |
| Attendance & Analytics | ✅ Built-in tracking | ❌ Education only |
| Business Education | ⚠️ Basic via support | ✅ Comprehensive curriculum |
| Marketing Training | ⚠️ Network visibility only | ✅ Full marketing education |
| Community Support | ✅ Agility-specific | ✅ R+ trainer community |
| Software Recommendations | ❌ Not needed (is software) | ✅ Recommends various tools |
| Operational Tools | ✅ Complete suite | ❌ None provided |
| Strategic Planning | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Extensive coaching |
| Technical Infrastructure | ✅ Full platform | ❌ No technical tools |
Advantages and Disadvantages
AgilityFinder
Advantages:
- ✅ Complete operational system: Everything needed to run club day-to-day
- ✅ Immediate implementation: Start managing classes instantly
- ✅ Member acquisition: Network effect brings new students
- ✅ Agility-specific design: Built for the sport's unique needs
- ✅ 60-day free trial: Risk-free evaluation period
- ✅ Technical automation: Saves hours of administrative work
- ✅ Professional presence: Listed in handler discovery app
- ✅ Affordable entry: Starting at €8.99/month
Drawbacks:
- ❌ No business education: Assumes you know how to run a business
- ❌ Limited marketing training: Focuses on operations over strategy
- ❌ Sport-specific: Only for agility, not general dog training
DogBizSuccess
Advantages:
- ✅ Comprehensive education: Learn all aspects of dog business
- ✅ Expert coaching: 20+ years helping trainers succeed
- ✅ Marketing expertise: Deep focus on client acquisition
- ✅ Community support: Connect with other R+ trainers
- ✅ Business strategy: Learn pricing, policies, and planning
- ✅ Resource library: Templates, tools, and guides
- ✅ Flexible options: Group or individual coaching available
Drawbacks:
- ❌ No operational software: Cannot book classes or manage members
- ❌ No technical tools: Education only, no implementation
- ❌ General focus: Not agility-specific knowledge
- ❌ Additional software needed: Must purchase separate management tools
- ❌ Higher total cost: Coaching plus separate software expenses
Suggested Use Cases
AgilityFinder
- Operating Agility Clubs - Essential for daily operations
- Managing Class Schedules - Automated booking and waitlists
- Tracking Attendance & Revenue - Performance analytics and records
- Growing Club Membership - Network visibility attracts students
- Multi-Dog Management - Handle families with multiple dogs
DogBizSuccess
- Business Startup Planning - Learn how to structure your business
- Marketing Strategy Development - Understand client acquisition
- Pricing and Policy Setting - Determine rates and terms
- Business Growth Planning - Scale from solo to team operation
- Professional Development - Ongoing education and support
Final Recommendation
These services address completely different needs, making them complementary rather than competitive. AgilityFinder provides the essential software infrastructure every agility club needs to operate, while DogBizSuccess offers valuable business education that could help clubs grow more strategically.
For Agility Club Operations: AgilityFinder is the clear choice and only option for managing your club's daily operations. Starting at €8.99/month, it provides booking systems, member management, attendance tracking, and everything else needed to run classes efficiently. The 60-day free trial lets you experience the full platform without commitment.
For Business Knowledge: DogBizSuccess can be valuable for club owners wanting to improve their business acumen, marketing skills, and strategic planning. However, it cannot replace the need for operational software like AgilityFinder.
Optimal Combination: Successful agility clubs might benefit from using both - AgilityFinder for all operational needs (booking, attendance tracking, member management) and DogBizSuccess coaching to learn advanced business strategies, marketing techniques, and growth planning. This combination provides both the tools to operate and the knowledge to thrive, though AgilityFinder alone is sufficient for clubs focused primarily on efficient operations rather than aggressive growth.
The comparison ultimately shows that AgilityFinder is indispensable for running an agility club's daily operations, while DogBizSuccess serves trainers seeking business education. For any agility club needing management software, AgilityFinder is not just the better choice - it's the only actual software solution between these two very different offerings.