Classes
2008 Class Schedule | Class Descriptions | Agility
Download the Agility Class information here!
Agility Class Levels
Building your FoundationLevel I Foundation This class will begin to teach foundation skills that will be necessary before agility training on equipment can begin. Foundation skills such as crate games, leash control, treat control, and stays will be taught. Also, the “game” of agility will begin as you teach the dog to recall to you for praise, treats, and toys! The handler will learn the importance of positive reinforcement, cues, releasers and markers as they begin to teach their canine teammate. The handler will also learn how to plan their training sessions with their dog and record their progress. The dog will learn how to control itself in order to learn what we eventually want them to do! No agility equipment will be used in this training session.
Level II Foundation This class will use the foundation skills learned in Level I to begin to learn basic directional commands. The handler will learn how to use luring, capturing, shaping and back-chaining behaviors to teach the dog how to jump and go through tunnels! The handler will also learn how and when to give reinforcement through treats, toys, and praise at appropriate intervals (consistent, fixed, and variable). At this level of training the dog will have the self control necessary to begin to work with the handler, and the handler will learn how to give directions to their canine teammate - in a way that the dog understands! Equipment used will be: single jumps, tunnels, buji boards.
Level III Foundation This class will build upon the self control, directional commands, and basic tunnel and jump skills learned in Levels I and II. The handler will learn how to teach their dog to change direction while moving between equipment. The handler will learn about independent lines of reinforcement, parallel lines of reinforcement, and how to send their dog ahead of them and still have their attention. The dog will learn that the game gets fun and they get to run!!! Now that we have control we can begin building drive using play and games – after all, the game of agility is a race to the finish! Equipment used will be: single jumps, tunnels, buji boards.
Level IV Foundation This class will use all of the foundation skills learned in Levels I through III to teach the handler / canine team how to navigate short 3-4 obstacle sequences. Moving straight ahead through obstacles and learning how to perform turns while moving through obstacles will be taught. New equipment will be introduced – the tire jump, broad jump, chute, open-channel weaves, table, and contact trainers. There is now a lot of fun equipment for the dog and handler to play with! We will continue to build drive with lots of play and fun. Equipment used will be: single jumps, tire jump, broad jump, tunnels, chute, open-channel weaves, table, and contact trainers.
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Building Handling Skills
Level I Handling This class will begin the basics of agility teamwork, fun, and movement. The handler will first learn how to build drive in their dog by being exciting and FUN – play, play, play! Then the 5 cues of motion, shoulders, position, hands and verbal will be introduced, with the primary objective being to teach the importance of motion and position to the dog-handler team. The handler will learn how to cue their dog using front crosses and rear crosses and use these handling techniques to navigate short agility courses. Equipment used will be: single jumps, tire jump, broad jump, tunnels, chute, open channel weaves, and table.
Level II Handling This class will expand upon front and rear crosses learned in Level I Handling, and will work more intensely with the 5 cues of motion, shoulders, position, hands and verbal. The handler will learn how to use positional cues, calls to heel, pre-cues and false turns as cues to their canine teammate. The class will teach the handler the importance of using smooth handling and clear commands as they give direction to their dog on-course. Small sequences will be used while teaching these handling techniques. Equipment used will be: single jumps, tire jump, broad jump, tunnels, chute, open channel weaves, and table.
Level III Handling Working with the fundamental handling skills learned in Level I and II Handling the handler will learn how to navigate standard patterns encountered on agility courses. Pinwheels, 180’s, 270’s, straight runs, serpentines, threadles, wraps and traps will be taught. The handler – dog team will learn how to handle these patterns with confidence and speed. Equipment used will be: single jumps, tire jumps, broad jump, tunnels, chute, open channel weaves, and table.
Competition Class This class will utilize all the handling skills taught in Levels I, II, and III handling to teach the handler how to analyze a course and use the “tools in their agility toolbox” to run the most efficient course possible for themselves and their canine teammate. Courses will be used that challenge the handler – dog team, and help them prepare for agility competition. All agility equipment will be used in these classes, with the expectation that the handler has learned contacts and weaves through a contact or weave seminar and practiced these skills independently. If the handler has not learned contacts and weaves, they can still participate in this competition class but will be asked to skip those pieces of equipment until they have proven competence on those pieces of equipment. Equipment used: single jumps, tire jumps, broad jump, double jump, triple jump, tunnels, chute, weaves, table, A-Frame, Teeter, Dogwalk.
