The Edurance Advantage
Helping handlers and trainers better prepare sport and working dogs for the demands of training, work, and competition
This program is designed to help you...
Better understand how to safely develop strength, endurance, and conditioning in sport and working dogs
Apply more structured fitness and conditioning principles to training and performance preparation
Build stamina, resilience, and physical capacity while supporting long-term health and well-being
Learn how fitness, physical preparation, and recovery strategies influence performance and long-term soundness
Feel more confident in the decisions you make regarding your dog's fitness, training, and overall care
The Elite K9 Athlete Program is a comprehensive online education and coaching program focused on canine fitness and conditioning for sport dogs, working dogs, and active family pets.
For those interested in certification, the program also serves as the first step toward becoming a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist (CCAS).
The Inspiration Behind the Program
The Elite K9 Athlete Program was inspired in part by founder Erica Boling's experience after her Belgian Malinois, Bacci, developed an iliopsoas injury while competing in French Ring.
During Bacci's rehabilitation and return to training, Erica began to recognize a larger gap within the sport and working dog world: dogs were often being trained extensively for performance without the same level of attention being given to physical preparation, conditioning, recovery, and long-term athletic development.
That realization sparked a deeper exploration into canine fitness and conditioning and eventually evolved into a comprehensive educational program that now supports handlers, trainers, and canine professionals worldwide through structured education, coaching, and certification opportunities.
Program Outcomes
Enhanced Fitness
& Performance
Identify and implement exercises that improve your dog's strength, power, stamina, speed, cardio, endurance, flexibility and body awareness.
Decreased Risk
of Injuries
Assess fitness needs and apply conditioning principles that support and enhance performance while minimizing the risk of injury.
Customized
Fitness Programs
Discover how to design and implement customized fitness programs based on the unique needs of sport and working dogs.
Advanced
Fitness Training
Discover how to safely progress training and intensity while balancing physical challenge, recovery, and long-term athletic performance.
Enhanced Knowledge & Awareness
Develop a "critical eye" for evaluating a dog's strengths and weaknesses and recognize how structure can influence movement and performance.
Expanded Credibility as a Fitness Professinal
Enhance your professional knowledge and continue your education through the Certified Canine Athlete Specialist (CCAS) certification.
A Comprehensive Program
The Elite K9 Athlete Program is much more than an online course. It’s a comprehensive education, coaching, and mentoring program that provides ongoing support throughout the year. The flexible format allows you to study on your own schedule and progress at your own pace while still receiving guidance and support along the way.
If you have no prior training in canine fitness, you are still invited to join us. All members of the Elite K9 Athlete Program receive access to Canine Conditioning 101 to build the foundational knowledge needed before progressing to more advanced fitness content.
Using our Canine High-Performance System, you’ll learn how to apply conditioning principles and create safe, effective, individualized programs based on the unique needs of your sport or working dog.
By the end of the program, you will also be able to…
Evaluate your dog’s individual strengths and weaknesses through structural critiques, movement analysis, and fitness assessments
Recognize subtle signs of soreness, fatigue, compensation, and poor movement
Identify gaps in your current training and conditioning program and apply strategies to better support performance and long-term physical development
Design and implement customized canine fitness programs for dogs of all life stages
We take a science-based, multi-pronged approach to learning that provides you with a highly effective and personalized educational experience. Through practical application and online learning, you'll develop canine fitness knowledge and practical application skills in the following ways:
LIVE GROUP COACHING CALLS
Connect with instructors, guest speakers, students, and program alumnae in an interactive learning environment designed to support your individual goals and progress. Can't attend live? Video replays will be available.
PRIVATE COACHING & MENTORING
Apply what you’re learning through hands-on work with dogs and receive personalized feedback through private coaching sessions. These one-on-one mentoring opportunities help you continue developing your canine fitness knowledge, skills, and program design abilities throughout the year.
TWO EXCLUSIVE ONLINE COMMUNITIES
Your enrollment includes ongoing access to two private Facebook communities where you can connect with coaches, students, canine fitness professionals, trainers, and sport competitors. Ask questions, continue learning, and stay connected with a supportive community throughout the program and beyond.
ADDITIONAL MEMBER BENEFITS
Canine Conditioning 101 Course
Massage for the Canine Athlete Lesson
Finding the Anatomy of the Dog Tutorial
Canine Sport Nutrition Lectures with Nutritional Experts
Take your next step today.
Unprecedented Endorsement
Our vision of partnering with higher educational institutions was realized in late 2020 through our partnership with Colorado State University Pueblo.
The curriculum and syllabi for our programs underwent an extensive review process involving canine professionals, program and training directors, and university faculty in order to receive approval from respected educational and canine organizations.
This level of recognition was made possible through a development team that combined decades of experience in program design and education with expertise in veterinary science, canine nutrition, and hands-on experience in the sport and working dog world.
As a result, the Elite K9 Athlete Program has been approved for CEUs through Colorado State University Pueblo and professional organizations including the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
We are also recognized for the work through organizations such as the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). Our expertise in canine fitness has been featured through regular contributions to Working Dog Magazine, Mushing Magazine, and USPCA’s Canine Courier magazine, as well as outlets including IACP’s The Canine Professional Journal and the HITS K-9 podcast.
Elite K9 Athlete Program Modules
Through practical application and hands-on learning, you'll develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to better support sport and working dogs.
MODULE #1: What it takes to be an elite athlete
Explore the physical demands placed on sport and working dogs based on their unique job or sport along with the foundational principles behind effective canine fitness and conditioning
MODULE #2: Create your elite athlete
Identify essential information that's needed prior to starting a canine conditioning program and use this information to evaluate your dog’s fitness needs while designing fitness programs
MODULE #3: How to reach peak performance
Identify the effects of exercise on the canine athlete's body and apply principles of exercise science and functional anatomy to design an effective conditioning program for your dog
MODULE #4: 6-step process to program design
Apply the 6-Step Process of Program Design to canine fitness while assessing strength, flexibility, balance, body awareness, cardiovascular endurance, and sport or working performance
MODULE #5: Advanced Program Design for the K9 Athlete
Discover how to safely train for speed, power, stamina, and endurance while incorporating advanced conditioning methods such as circuit training and high intensity interval training.
What You Get
12-month access to the Elite K9 Athlete online course & resources
Live, online group coaching calls for 12 months
On-demand video training & exercise database
Access to two exclusive online communities
Downloadable templates, fitness plans, workbooks & guest materials
“JumpStart” 1-on-1 orientation coaching call
Three private virtual coaching sessions
CEUs & Certificates of Completion issued by Colorado State University Pueblo & Northeast K9 Conditioning
Eligibility to apply for the Elite K9 Athlete Certification Practicum
FREE BONUS: Canine Conditioning 101 Course
FREE BONUS: Massage for the Canine Athlete Lesson
FREE BONUS: Finding the Anatomy of the Dog Tutorial & Canine Biomechanics
FREE BONUS: Canine Sport Nutrition Lectures with Nutritional Experts
Your Investment
Our canine fitness programs range from $197 to approximately $3500, with comprehensive coaching and mentoring programs starting at $1297.
Your investment will depend on your goals, interests, and the level of support and education that best fits your needs. After submitting your application, our admissions team will review your information and recommend the next best step based on your goals and budget.
What’s Your Return on Investment?
For dog owners, your knowledge of canine fitness can help support long-term health, reduce the risk of injury, and help you keep your dog healthy, active, and performing at their best for years to come.
For dog trainers and canine professionals, you’ll be able to provide greater value to your clients, expand your professional knowledge, and feel more confident applying canine fitness principles in your work.
What Our Graduates Say
Ivan Balabanov
Ot Vitosha Malinois
"Anyone who is involved (seriously) in dog sports is aware how easy it is for a dog athlete to get injured and how abruptly an amazing career can come to an end. Learning how to prevent injuries is crucial if you want to be successful. Every time I get the opportunity, I invite Erica to give presentations and share her work at my workshops. She's amazing!"
Francoise Massart
Marvel K9 Dog Training Academy
"This is a must take program for all individuals interested in maintaining a healthy canine. Both working and pet dog owners/handlers will obtain a vast amount of knowledge and techniques that will allow them to properly maintain peak condition for their dogs at all life stages. I highly recommend Erica’s programs. Learning from her will equip you with the opportunity to provide your dog with an even healthier life."
Paul V. Anthony
A&B Canine Training
"Thank you as always Dr. Erica Boling for helping me with workout ideas yesterday. As many of you know Fin and I have been chosen as alternates to represent the USA and the World Cup in France. I know that Fin will have to be in the best shape of his life to compete at such a high level so I contacted Erica who I believe is one of the best in the country at not only getting your dog in peak condition but also keeping them there. No matter if your dog is a pet or elite K9 athlete, Erica is the one to see!"
Riley Tolle
Cherry Creek Kennel
“Enrolling in the Elite K9 program has been one of the most beneficial personal and business choices I have made. The knowledge and skills I gained through the program and 1-on-1 coaching has taken my dog's fitness to the next level. I feel exceptionally more confident in performing safe and effective exercises which has helped my competition dogs excel in our sport.”
Teri Lyn Willard
CCAS, RVT, CCRP, VCC
“I have already implemented many techniques into my every day rehabilitation work. I love being able to have the tools to focus on a dog's conditioning after they have been rehabbed back from an injury. The program has taught me how to design a better home plan for handlers to follow and stay committed.”
Your Next Steps
If what you’ve learned sparks your interest, submit your application today. Our admissions team will review your information and recommend the next best step based on your goals, interests, and budget.
Step 1:
Submit Your Application Online
Step 2:
Look For Your "Next Steps" Email
Step 3:
Decide on the "Next Steps" For You
Frequently Asked Questions
After successfully completing the Elite K9 Athlete Program and demonstrating understanding of what you learned, you will have the opportunity to apply to the Elite K9 Athlete Practicum. Upon acceptance into the Practicum, you will receive additional training and support as you complete a series of hands-on activities and case studies. Once you have successfully completed your Practicum experience, you will become a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist (CCAS) and receive your diploma.
After you successfully complete the Elite K9 Athlete Program, you can apply to participate in a Practicum experience. During the Practicum, you will complete a series of hands-on activities and case studies so that you can deepen your confidence and skills when designing fitness programs. You will also receive additional online training, gain access to a library of resources, and receive monthly group coaching sessions to enhance your learning. You will discover how to design and implement fitness workshops and courses for various types of dog owners and handlers. You will also enhance your skills in marketing and selling programs to grow your business, club, or organization.
Yes! What you learn will apply to all dogs. Think of it this way... Could a sports trainer who works with Olympic athletes also create fitness programs for soccer moms? Of course!
There are limitations to what you can do with a puppy, but you can definitely start teaching foundation behaviors while they are young! It's better to teach them the right way from the beginning rather than try to reteach skills down the road. For some of the hands-on activities, you can also work with an older dog owned by a friend, colleague or family member.
The program is designed to go at your own pace. You will have 12-months access to the online video trainings and bi-weekly group coaching calls. After 12-months, you will be invited to join our Alumni Program. For a nominal monthly fee, you will have ongoing access to all the online content, resources, bi-weekly group coaching calls and more!
Yes! You receive CEUs, official transcripts, and a certificate of completion from Colorado State University, Pueblo upon completing the program. We are recognized by the International Association of Canine Professionals and Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers for CEUs. We also provide educational opportunities for members of the United State Police Canine Association.
Need Clarification Before You Begin?
Reach out with your questions and get personalized guidance from Erica.
NORDIC K9 CONDITIONING AS
+42 944 65 705
Nordic K9 Conditioning AS
Sørkedalsveien 279, 0754 Oslo, Norway
Org. Nr. 936198015
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