Agility Class Descriptions

For all agility classes: dogs come the first class meeting.

Puppy Agility Fundamentals - 6 weeks

Any breed, including mixed, 4 months to 12 months by first class meeting. 
Goals: This is an opportunity to bond, build trust and learn to cooperate with your puppy as a team while your puppy builds confidence being around other dogs and people.  Calm, patient and positive interaction will be encouraged, no pressure, and end the class with your puppy happy and wanting more.  This class will lay the basic foundation in agility for both you and your puppy while focusing on attention, targeting, the ability to direct your puppy, and beginning the relationships that will be useful in obedience, agility and a companion member of your household. There will be little use of standard contact equipment. Most equipment will be 'puppy scaled’.

Agility Fundamentals 1- 6 weeks

For any dog/puppy that has completed a puppy agility class. The dog MUST be comfortable on all of the puppy agility equipment. This class will take the students into full sized (not height) equipment and begin the process of learning sequences. Comfort on teeter is NOT a requirement. Contact Rhoda (rtezell@gmail.com) for clarification. 45 minute class. Rhoda & Sue instructors.

Agility Courses and Handling - 6 weeks

For dogs comfortable on all contact equipment at full height. Teeter can still be in the learning stages. This class is focuse on getting ready to trial/working on handling skills. We work with you at the level you are, but comfort on contacts is important. Contact Rhoda (rtezell@gmail.com) for clarification. 1hr+ class. Rhoda & Sue instructors.

Beginning Agility 1 - 6 weeks

9 months old or older by first class meeting.
Goals: Dogs are introduced to the contact obstacles in a foundation manner. Dogs and handlers are introduced to each of the agility obstacles at their lowest level in a non-stressful way and are taught to perform the obstacles safely, confidently and correctly. There will be no more than two obstacle sequences in class. Positive reinforcement is used to pattern skills needed to be successful.

Pre-requisites:

You need control of your dog for Agility. If the instructor finds that your dog needs to have more self-control, the instructor may request that you take some manners/obedience classes before starting Agility.

Beginning Agility 2 - 6 weeks

9 months old or older by first class meeting.
Goals: Dogs build on the skills learned in Beg Agility 1. Dogs start to work off leash and must respond to the handler's commands. The team builds confidence and skill as the dog works each obstacle with minimum interference and maximum 4 obstacle combinations are introduced. Positive reinforcement is used to pattern skills needed to be successful. You will introduce your dog to handling and other equipment including weaves and basic teeter.

Pre-requisites:

Successful completion of Beginning Agility 1 or comparable.

Intermediate Agility - 6 weeks

This course is designed to bridge the gap between beginning agility 3 and advanced agility. There will be NO OBSTACLE TRAINING in this class. Instructor will have the right to ask that you go back to a lower level class if your dog has obstacle issues.

Pre-requisites:

Dogs must be proficient on all equipment, including teeter and weaves.

Advanced Agility - 6 weeks

Age: 12 months old or older by first class meeting.
Advanced handling techniques only. There will be NO OBSTACLE TRAINING in this class. Instructor will have the right to ask that you go back to a lower level class if your dog has obstacle issues. This class is for teams that are already competing. The goal of this class is to build further on the confidence of the dog and handler's ability to perform on the courses at the higher levels of competition.

Pre-requisites:

Must be in Open/Advanced or Level 3(CPE) to attend.

Fun Runs - 6 weeks
THIS IS NOT A DROP-IN CLASS

Fun courses to run - sometimes full building size. Occasionally the courses will be CPE games. This is a big class (15-25+ dogs) and does take the full 2 hours to run everyone.

Jump Chute - 6 weeks

Based On Suzanne Clothier’s Natural Jumping Method. Any breed, including mixed, 14 months old or older by first class meeting. The Course consists of 2 sets of 8 weeks... A progression. You must take 1st 8 weeks to get into second 8 weeks
There will be no use of contacts in this class. It is an excellent class for dogs or handlers that simply want to have fun with their dog. For both conditioning and helping with jumping problems (stutter jump, hesitation, drive)
Prerequisite: No aggression, ability to be touched by a member of the class.

Goals: Teach the dog jump a series of jumps without human intervention. The class is intended to systematically develop and refine the complex skills every dog needs to be a confident, correct jumper. Dogs must be on flat collars or martingale collars for this class.
NOTE: This class is ofered once a year and meets on Mondays and Thursdays for two eight week sessions. It is vital to attend both classes each week.

Length:

Two 6 week sessions- 2 nights per week

CPE Games - 6 weeks

The rules and strategies of CPE games (Colors, Wildcard, Snooker, Fullhouse and Jackpot) will be discussed and practice courses will be run by handler and dog.

Pre-requisites:

Dogs must be proficient on all equipment, including teeter and weaves. Dog and handler should be ready to begin CPE competition. If you or your dog is not yet proficient on obstacles you may still audit the course (watch with no dog) for free.

Information for the Human Partner in Agility Class

• Dogs must be on flat collars or martingale collars.
• NO Flexi Leashes allowed near the agility ring .
• A comfortable flat lead approximately 6 feet long is recommended.
• Let your instructor know if your dog does not like dogs in his/her space. Few dogs do, but some are more adamant than others.
• Bring high value treats for class.
• It will be helpful if you do not feed your dog before class (unless there is a medical need)
• Important Note:
  When registering for Agility Classes, please be specific about the level. You can contact the agility registrar directly seadragon80@aol.com