Session 2
Class Descriptions
All classes will be taught with
Positive Reinforcement
in a Seven (7) week class session
Agility
Beginner 1 – Prerequisites: Dogs must be at least 6 months old or have completed Puppy Agility or have training coordinator approval. Introduces dogs to the basic agility obstacles at low heights. Handlers learn, using positive reinforcement, to teach their dogs to perform the obstacles, respond to basic agility commands, and maintain focus with their dog. Dogs must be at least 6 months old or have completed Puppy I/II Agility or have training coordinator approval. Dogs will be on leash and must be trained by the same handler throughout the class. Must attend 5 of the 7 weeks in order to advance.
Beginner 2 – Prerequisites: Dogs must have completed Beginner I or have training coordinator approval. Focuses on handler skills, turns and body language while improving the dog’s performance on obstacles. The class further develops teamwork while learning control off-leash. Height of some obstacles will be progressively increased. Dogs may be off leash when running a series of obstacles; dogs must be trained by the same handler throughout the class. Must attend 5 of the 7 weeks and have met all class goals in order to advance.
Commitment + Drive Foundations – Prerequisites: for dogs who have completed Beginner 2 or equivalent. Focus on teaching dogs to confidently seek out obstacles and build strong drive & commitment on course. Using only jumps and tunnels, teams will learn a variety of fun, progressive exercises designed to develop motivation, independence, and enthusiasm for agility work. Dogs should be food or toy motivated. Each week includes new skill-building activities with simple homework to help reinforce learning between classes.
Agility Foundations – Prerequisites: Must have completed at least one Beginner 2 Agility class. This class helps dogs and handlers work together as a team to successfully navigate agility courses. This class will not include work on contacts or weave poles. Skills taught: jumping techniques of extension and collection; lead changes and how to cue them; flatwork to build muscle memory; commitment to obstacles and turn placement and timing. Builds a solid foundation before advancing to complex agility sequences.
Intermediate 1 – Prerequisites: Dogs must be proficient on low-height teeter, A-frame and dog walk; must be able to do six weave poles with or without wires, poles close together. Skill development includes improving handling cues, learning new handling skills, continuing work on teeter performance, proofing contact performance on the A-Frame, teeter and dogwalk and improving confidence in the weave poles. Dogs over the age of 15 months will be moving up to full jump height. Longer obstacle sequences and course strategizing will be introduced. Dogs must have met all class goals in order to advance.
Intermediate 2 – Prerequisites: Dogs must be able to do 12 weave poles; must be able to do teeter, A-frame and dog walk at full height. Handlers must be familiar with post turns, front crosses and flip turns. For teams getting ready to compete at the Novice level. The class works on advanced handling skills, obstacle discrimination, speed versus accuracy, and course strategy. Dogs should be proficient on all obstacles and running sequences of 10 or more obstacles to enter this class. Dogs must have met all class goals in order to advance.
Advanced Jumpers – Prerequisites: Teams must be competing in or able to compete in AKC Open, CPE level 3/5/C or compatible levels in another venue. Dogs must be able to complete 12 weave poles without wires. Class will run fast-paced sequences and work on: front, blind and rear crosses & timing of those cues; thinking on your feet; learning what your motion and location mean to the dog when running; importance and consistency of verbal and visual cues; weave pole entry from many angles and working toward independent poles. Sequences will be run once and then again with suggestions on other effective approaches.
Agility Skill Sets – Prerequisites: Teams are expected to be capable of competing in the Intermediate to Advanced levels. Dogs must be able to perform all obstacles including 12 weave poles and the teeter with confidence. Goals for this class include perfecting handling options for your team, identifying dog’s path vs handler’s path and for each team to gain a better understanding of how personal handling choices will impact their team’s success. Teams will work on skills such as serpentines and pin wheels, 180’s and 270’s, weave pole entrances, front, rear and blind crosses, and obstacle discrimination.
Agility Courses – Prerequisites: Teams must be competing at an Excellent/Master level or compatible level in another venue. Focuses on the ability to walk, analyze and run full courses (19-21 obstacles). Handlers will walk full courses and create a strategy for the best way to handle the course for themselves and their dog. Potential problem areas of the course will be discussed, and alternate handling solutions may be presented.
Advanced Courses – Prerequisites: Teams should have taken Intermediate 2. Focuses on polishing the handling and performance skills of experienced teams. Teams run a variety of full courses, focusing in on particular challenges each week and working on the proper cues to effectively direct the dog. Dogs should be capable of performing all obstacles at full height with confidence. Teams should be capable of competing at the intermediate to advanced levels.
Advanced Agility Skill Sets – Prerequisites: Teams must be competing in, or able to compete in AKC Excellent/Masters, CPE level 5/C or compatible level in other organizations and able to perform all obstacles with confidence. The class will work on advanced skill sequences including serpentines, threadles, pinwheels, 180’s and 270’s, weave pole entrances, backsides, RFPs and obstacle discrimination.
Handling Options for Advanced Teams – Prerequisites: Teams must be competing in, or able to compete in AKC Excellent, CPE level 5/C or compatible level in other organizations. Focuses on advanced handling skills with compare and contrast scenarios. Weekly themes will focus on improving handling skills such as sends, crosses, serpentines, cueing extension and collections and obstacle discriminations, then incorporating the skills in sequences. All obstacles are at full height and weaves do not have wires.
Rally & Obedience
Rally: Skills and Courses – Prerequisites: Beginner rally skills. Focus, fun, and games underpin class. All levels are welcome. Content is tailored to the needs of enrolled teams and develops both advanced skills and a strong knowledge of the signs. Each week has safe off-leash practice, alternating AKC and WCRL courses with maps emailed in advance.
For Rally Demo, click this link
Puppy
Puppy Agility – Prerequisites: For puppies aged 4-12 months. Puppies must have had three sets of vaccinations prior to attending. Focuses on agility foundation skills and performance of obstacles in a manner that will not strain a puppy’s growing body. Obstacles may include tire, tunnel, plank walking, table, and weaves. Obedience exercises, such as sit, stay, down, walking on a loose leash and come will also be included.
Specialty Classes
Tricks that Click – Prerequisites: Dogs six months and up. Build your dog’s confidence & engagement through trick training! This workshop-style class will help you bond with your dog as they learn to read cue cards, create canine artwork, play shaping games, and more. All levels welcome; option to earn AKC or DMWYD trick titles.
NOTE: These are classes offered during the current session. Many classes change each session.
Class Fees per Session
Agility and Rally classes are $140 for non-members, $130 for members
AKC STAR Puppy, CGC and CGCA are $160 for non-members, $150 for members (includes price of test)
Rowdy to Self-Control is $250 for non-members, $240 for members
Engagement and Play is $180 for non-members, and $170 for members
Impulse Control & Resilience is $210 for non-members, and $200 for members
Agility League Play is $170 for non-members, and $160 for members