Class-desc

AGILITY - you’ve seen it on TV, now experience it yourself! Agility is simply the most athletic and fun bonding activity to do with your dog, period. I compete with all 3 of my dogs, all of them excelling at the top levels in various venues. I also conduct agility seminars across the country, am an agility judge for several venues, and continually strive to keep up to date on all the latest positive teaching and handling techniques.

Puppy I Agility/Obedience: For dogs 9 mo of age & younger; fun foundation to skills needed for future agility work, puppy socialization, plus intro to obstacles.

Puppy II Agility/Obedience: For dogs 9 mo of age & younger; a continuation of Puppy I above, for those dogs who aren’t ready yet for “adult” classes but want to continue with foundation and basic low agility obstacle training.

Introduction to Agility: Obstacles and foundation for future agility work are taught. Must have taken a Pet Obedience, Puppy Agility, or Tricks & Games class, or permission of instructor.

Beyond Beginners Agility: Must have taken and passed Intro to Agility class. Working to full height on equipment; plus sequencing & jumping skills.

Weaves for Beginners: This class is for anyone who either needs better basic weave pole performance or who has been recommended to take this class before continuing on to a higher level of agility. In addition to learning how to train your dog to weave (using a variety of methods, custom-tailored to each dog’s learning style), you’ll get a training program to work on at home and will even build your own set of weave poles! Approval of instructor or successful completion of this class is required to continue on to competition agility class.

Intermediate I Agility: Approval of Instructor; must be comfortable on all contacts (see saw can be at a lower height) and have made progress on weave poles training. Weave poles worked to straight up and see-saw to full height; plus crosses and other handling moves, obstacle discrimination and contact proofing, and course analyzing skills.

Novice Competition Agility: Currently competing in any venue(s) at the Novice Level. Must be able to perform all obstacles at full height, including a set of 6 weave poles.

Advanced Competition Agility: Currently competing in any venue(s) at the Open/Advanced Level or above. Must be able to perform 12 weave poles.

Linda Mecklenburg’s Jumping Foundations: In this class, we will be following step by step the training steps in Linda Mecklenburg’s “Developing Jumping Skills” book. We will teach our dogs how to be better jumpers; how to collect and extend over jumps, switch from one mode to the other seamlessly, and have better jumping form. Included in this class will be basic foundation drills as well as upper level collection, extension, and mixed jumping exercises. Any level dog can benefit from this class.

Agility Games: Any team currently competing can take this class. USDAA, NADAC, and CPE have “games” classes that count towards titling along with the standard class; each week a different game will be explored. The rules, along with handling tips and strategies, will be discussed before trying out the game.

- the newest dog sport, combining elements of traditional obedience, agility (no two courses are the same), and freestyle (it looks like a dance when you do it right!). APDT has already held competitions, and my dog Crystal was one of the first 22 to obtain the Rally-1 title; AKC will begin holding Rally trials in 2004 (and currently allows Rally as a non-regular class). Rally is judged similar to traditional obedience, but you can praise, talk to, and encourage your dog as much as you want, and the exercises are more varied (44 stations in all for the course designer to choose from) and just plain fun to perform!!

Introduction to Rally Obedience: For dogs who have not taken obedience class(es) or who have not passed the CGC test.

Intermediate Rally Obedience: For dogs who have taken classes or competed in obedience, who have passed the CGC test, or have previously taken a Rally Obedience class.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) - an AKC program to show that your dog is a good citizen in society. Any dog, purebred or mixed breed, can take the test and get the title. This 5 week program includes the test fee, and takes you through the exercises that will be on the test, building on the skills needed each week to give you the best chance possible to pass!

Pet Obedience – for owners who want a well-behaved dog, but who aren’t looking to go into the obedience competition ring. Heeling, attention, and stays will be the main skills taught, mixed liberally with fun!