What is agility?
Agility is the ultimate game for you and your dog. It is also one of the most exciting canine sports for spectators. In agility, a dog demonstrates its agile nature and versatility by following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course. The course has jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and other obstacles. agility strengthens the bond between dogs and handlers, it is extremely fun, and it provides vigorous exercise for both!
Some basic obedience training is necessary before commencing agility training. At a minimum, the dog must be able to sit, down, promptly come when called off-leash, hold a brief stay, maintain control around other dogs, and accept handling by strangers. We recommend completing our Advanced Obedience class prior to starting agility but exceptions may be made.
Some basic obedience training is necessary before commencing agility training. At a minimum, the dog must be able to sit, down, promptly come when called off-leash, hold a brief stay, maintain control around other dogs, and accept handling by strangers. We recommend completing our Advanced Obedience class prior to starting agility but exceptions may be made.
Agility 1 - Foundations
(jumps limited to 12” or less)
Prerequisite: Dogs entering this class should have obtained a Canine Good Citizen Title. Dogs should be well-socialized and well-behaved around other dogs.
Class Description: This class will teach a solid agility foundation and how to build your dog’s confidence and enthusiasm for agility performance. The class emphasizes basic clicker skills, motivation, and introduction of skills needed to perform the basic agility equipment (tunnels, contacts, and weaves). You will learn a variety of interactive games, crate games, rear-end awareness exercises, how to build value and focus for obstacles, and contact end-behavior foundations. Some of the behaviors we will shape your dog to perform will be: going through objects, on and around objects, sit, down, come, stay, and recall.
Note: regular contact equipment is not used in this class.
Agility 2 – Basic Obstacle Performance
Prerequisite: Dogs in this class must have completed the Agility Foundations class.
Class Description: Dogs and handlers in this class will be introduced to all the agility equipment used in AKC agility trials. Emphasis will be placed on obstacle performance as well as teaching the handlers the necessary training skills.
Agility 3 -Basic Handling and Sequencing Skills
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Basic Obstacle Performance class.
Class Description: Emphasis will be placed on improving both the dog’s and handler’s basic agility skills. This includes front, rear, and blind crosses, serpentines, pin wheels and challenging weave pole entries. There will be opportunities to repeat short sequences.
Agility Novice
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Basic Handling and Sequencing Skills and Basic Obstacle Performance classes.
Class Description: The class will build on the basic skills learned in the Basic Handling and Sequencing Skills class. There will be more emphasis on longer obstacle sequences, incorporating a mixture of the basic agility course designs. Handlers will be encouraged to try a variety of handling skills.
Agility Open
Prerequisite: One AKC novice title. Dogs in this class must be showing at the equivalent of the AKC open level or higher. The dog and handler team will be able to complete a novice style standard and jumpers with weaves course.
Class Description: The class will build on the skills learned in the novice class. There will be more emphasis on longer and more difficult obstacle sequences, incorporating a mixture of agility course designs. Handlers will be encouraged to try a variety of handling skills.
Agility Excellent/Masters
Prerequisite: One AKC open title. Dogs in this class must be showing at the equivalent of the AKC excellent level or higher. The dog and handler team will be able to run an open/excellent style standard and jumpers with weaves course.
Class Description: The class will build on the skills learned in the open class. This class is designed to improve teamwork. The obstacle sequences in this class will be more challenging and multiple obstacle sequences will be presented with challenges that require the dog and handler to function smoothly as a team.
Agility Novice, Open, Excellent/Masters
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Basic Handling and Sequencing Skills and Basic Obstacle Performance classes.
Class Description: For dogs and handlers who are competing or have equivalent skills for the Novice, Open, or Excellent/Master level. The sequences will be set for multiple levels and the class will teach skills and handling methods depending on the desires and interests of individual handlers.
Competitive Handling (see level in class schedule)
Prerequisite: Dogs in this class must be showing at the equivalent of the AKC level of the class listed or higher.
Class Description: This class will include a combination of full course work and short sequences to build each team’s proficiency. We will focus on fine tuning handler skills and staying on top of the current training methods and trends.
2x2 Weave Poles – Getting Started - Maximum 6 dogs
Prerequisite: Dogs must be 11 months of age or older. Dogs must be able to retrieve a ball or toy with enthusiasm. Must have completed Agility 1 - Foundations. A good recall is mandatory.
This system teaches independent weave performance at a distance of 15’ to 20’, enabling the handler to get to the next obstacle on the course while the dog is in the weaves. You will learn the mechanics of training weaves with 2 x 2’s, the difference between shaping and luring, how to help your dog understand difficult weave pole entries, and to maintain his/her drive and focus through the entire set of poles.
(jumps limited to 12” or less)
Prerequisite: Dogs entering this class should have obtained a Canine Good Citizen Title. Dogs should be well-socialized and well-behaved around other dogs.
Class Description: This class will teach a solid agility foundation and how to build your dog’s confidence and enthusiasm for agility performance. The class emphasizes basic clicker skills, motivation, and introduction of skills needed to perform the basic agility equipment (tunnels, contacts, and weaves). You will learn a variety of interactive games, crate games, rear-end awareness exercises, how to build value and focus for obstacles, and contact end-behavior foundations. Some of the behaviors we will shape your dog to perform will be: going through objects, on and around objects, sit, down, come, stay, and recall.
Note: regular contact equipment is not used in this class.
Agility 2 – Basic Obstacle Performance
Prerequisite: Dogs in this class must have completed the Agility Foundations class.
Class Description: Dogs and handlers in this class will be introduced to all the agility equipment used in AKC agility trials. Emphasis will be placed on obstacle performance as well as teaching the handlers the necessary training skills.
Agility 3 -Basic Handling and Sequencing Skills
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Basic Obstacle Performance class.
Class Description: Emphasis will be placed on improving both the dog’s and handler’s basic agility skills. This includes front, rear, and blind crosses, serpentines, pin wheels and challenging weave pole entries. There will be opportunities to repeat short sequences.
Agility Novice
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Basic Handling and Sequencing Skills and Basic Obstacle Performance classes.
Class Description: The class will build on the basic skills learned in the Basic Handling and Sequencing Skills class. There will be more emphasis on longer obstacle sequences, incorporating a mixture of the basic agility course designs. Handlers will be encouraged to try a variety of handling skills.
Agility Open
Prerequisite: One AKC novice title. Dogs in this class must be showing at the equivalent of the AKC open level or higher. The dog and handler team will be able to complete a novice style standard and jumpers with weaves course.
Class Description: The class will build on the skills learned in the novice class. There will be more emphasis on longer and more difficult obstacle sequences, incorporating a mixture of agility course designs. Handlers will be encouraged to try a variety of handling skills.
Agility Excellent/Masters
Prerequisite: One AKC open title. Dogs in this class must be showing at the equivalent of the AKC excellent level or higher. The dog and handler team will be able to run an open/excellent style standard and jumpers with weaves course.
Class Description: The class will build on the skills learned in the open class. This class is designed to improve teamwork. The obstacle sequences in this class will be more challenging and multiple obstacle sequences will be presented with challenges that require the dog and handler to function smoothly as a team.
Agility Novice, Open, Excellent/Masters
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Basic Handling and Sequencing Skills and Basic Obstacle Performance classes.
Class Description: For dogs and handlers who are competing or have equivalent skills for the Novice, Open, or Excellent/Master level. The sequences will be set for multiple levels and the class will teach skills and handling methods depending on the desires and interests of individual handlers.
Competitive Handling (see level in class schedule)
Prerequisite: Dogs in this class must be showing at the equivalent of the AKC level of the class listed or higher.
Class Description: This class will include a combination of full course work and short sequences to build each team’s proficiency. We will focus on fine tuning handler skills and staying on top of the current training methods and trends.
2x2 Weave Poles – Getting Started - Maximum 6 dogs
Prerequisite: Dogs must be 11 months of age or older. Dogs must be able to retrieve a ball or toy with enthusiasm. Must have completed Agility 1 - Foundations. A good recall is mandatory.
This system teaches independent weave performance at a distance of 15’ to 20’, enabling the handler to get to the next obstacle on the course while the dog is in the weaves. You will learn the mechanics of training weaves with 2 x 2’s, the difference between shaping and luring, how to help your dog understand difficult weave pole entries, and to maintain his/her drive and focus through the entire set of poles.
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