Agility CORE COURSES


* PM Foundations I: This is an introduction to the foundation exercises needed for those who want to eventually compete with their dogs in agility. Skills will include; an introduction to jumping, contact work, weave pole work, ground work, and flat exercises.
*There is an age requirement of 6 months or with instructor approval.

* PM Foundations II : This course is a continuation of Foundations I.
* Dogs MUST have participated in Foundations I

* PM Foundations III : This course is a continuation of Foundations II.
* Dogs MUST have completed Foundations I and Foundations II
.
* Beginners I: This is an introduction to obstacles, flat work, and a continuation of Obedience foundation skills (sit, down, stay, recall, focus on handler). This course may be repeated until the Dog/Handler team is comfortable with these skills.
* The D/H team must have completed Obedience Basic I and be at least 9 months old.

* Beginners 1.5: This class is for those who have completed Beginners I and want to increase practice time with an instructor to improve their teamwork and skills, or for members who have done some training at home and whose dogs already understand the obstacles.
* The D/H team must have completed Beginners I.

* Beginners II: This course is a continuation of Beginners I and may be repeated until the Dog/Handler team is comfortable with these skills.
* The D/H team must have taken Beginners I, and the dog must work off lead.

* Beginners 2.5: This class is for those who have completed Beginners II and want additional practice time with an instructor to improve their skill level.
* The D/H team must have taken Beginners II.

* Intermediate: In this class teams will work toward full height on the contacts and continue working on handler body language and verbal cues. Time will be spent improving teeter behavior and working toward single line weave poles. This class may have a broad range of handler and dog skills, and it may be necessary for teams to take this class more than once before advancing into classes designed to prepare the Dog/Handler team for competition. In this class dogs must work off lead.
* The D/H team must have taken Beginners I and
Beginners II.



Agility SPECIALTY COURSE Descriptions

* Send: (6 week class) : The goal of this class is to teach the dog to work ahead of the handler.
* The Dog/Handler team must have completed Intermediate.

* Problem Solving: The agenda for this class will be taken from issues submitted by the class members. Prior to the beginning of the 7 week session, topics will be submitted to the instructor; and the course will be constructed from these ideas.
* Instructor approval prior to application.
* One issue must be submitted to the instructor at time of application.
* The Dog/Handler team must have completed Intermediate.

* Chicken Little Contact: This 4 week class is for dogs who have been exposed to contact equipment in the past and have developed a fear of the teeter, dog walk, and A frame. Work will be done on shaping bravery on and off low contacts.
* The Dog/Handler team must have completed Intermediate.
* Dogs must be clicker savvy.
* Instructor approval is needed for this class.

* Remedial Jumping Class (4 week session): This class is not just for those handlers whose dogs are dropping bars but, also, for those who want to improve their dog's jumping style. Because this is a four week class it cannot go in depth on all jumping skills but, instead, will attempt to address issues of take off and landing distance through gymnastic exercises based on the individual dog.
* The Dog/Handler team must have completed Beginners II and be under control off leash.

* Round and Round We Go: This course is an intermediate level class and will concentrate on the round obstacles (tire, tunnel, and chute). Building speed while entering these obstacles from any direction will be emphasized. Proofing the basics and the use of targets will be utilized. Rear crosses at these obstacles will also be practiced. This class is geared toward lower/medium level teams, but advanced dogs can come to play too.
* The Dog/Handler teams must have completed Beginners II.

* Weave Poles: The focus of this class is weaves. The class will go back to the basics to help your dog happily achieve quick, reliable weaves with full speed entries.
* The Dog/Handler team must have completed Beginners II.

* Creating Success w/ One Jump - Using one jump, this course is designed to fine tune front and rear crosses. Serpentines and threadles will also be addressed. It is based on the popular Susan Garrett DVD, "Success With One Jump." Dog/Handler teams will also work on increasing send distance and control at the start line. Dogs should already understand basic jump concepts although they need not jump at full height.
* Dog/Handler teams must have completed Intermediate

* Turn and Crosses: Emphasis will be placed on front, rear, and blind crosses with coaching on which one is best for you and your dog. Instruction will also be given on when and where to use crosses and how to execute them.
*The Dog /Handler team should be ready to start Novice Competition.

* Introduction to Trialing: This class will go over the various trialing organizations, and the rules for participating in an AKC event. You will learn strategies for walking the courses. While working your dog on courses and sequences you will learn strategies for running the course as well. This class is for the newcomer to agility who is about to start trialing.
* The Dog/Handler team should be ready to start Novice Competition.

* Competition Ready Novice: This class will prepare the Dog/Handler team for participation in a Novice Competition agility trial. The Dog/Handler team must be able to work under control off lead .
* The D/H team should be ready to start Novice Competition.

* FAST / Distance: This course is an introduction to Fifteen and Send Time (FAST), a new agility competition class with AKC. Distance work will be emphasized.
* The Dog/Handler team must be Novice Competition ready.

* Novice/Open Back Yard Dog (BYD): This course is based on the "Back Yard Dog" articles in Clean Run.
* The Dog/Handler team must be ready for Novice/Open Competition.

* Just Courses: An open/excellent course will be set up each week for dogs to practice on. Instruction and feedback will be given.
* The Dog/Handler team must be ready for Novice/Open Competition.

* Advanced Back Yard Dog (BYD): This course is based on the "Back Yard Dog" articles in Clean Run. This class is for the Advanced Dog/Handler team and will consist of BYD sequences.
* The D/H team must be working at the Excellent Competition level.

* Obstacle Discrimination Advanced Competition: This class is for the Dog/Handler team that is running excellent or skilled open and wants to work at a competition level. The class will have lots of short sequences with contacts and tunnels together. The contacts and tunnels will be close together and have difficult entries.
* The D/H team must be working at an advanced (skilled Open or Excellent) competition level.

* Weave Pole Proofing: This class is for the Dog/Handler team that has reliable weaves without need for constant handling. The class will include any and all proofing skills and build on the dog's ability to enter weaves at full speed from any direction. Distractions will be added to solidify these skills.
* You MUST have agility coordinator/instructor approval for this class.

* Excellent Self Serve: Each week a member of the class is responsible to teach this class.
* The student must have taught classes previously.
* Approval of the Agility Coordinator is needed.


Agility DAYTIME CLASS COURSE Descriptions

* AM Foundations I : This is an introduction to the foundation exercises needed for those who want to eventually compete with their dogs in agility. Skills will include; an introduction to jumping, contact work, weave pole work, ground work, and flat exercises.
* Dogs must be at least 6 months old or have the approval of the instructor.

* AM Foundations II : This course is a continuation of Foundations I.
* Dogs MUST have participated in Foundations I

* AM Foundations III : This course is a continuation of Foundations II.
* Dogs MUST have completed Foundations I and Foundations II.

* AM Foundations IV: This course is a continuation of Foundations III.
* Dogs MUST have completed Foundations I, II, and III.

* AM Foundations V: This course is a continuation of Foundations IV.
* Dogs MUST have completed Foundations I, II, III, and IV.

* AM Novice Competition: This class is for those Dog/Handler teams competing at the Novice Competition level. Less experienced dogs may participate with approval.

* AM Advanced Competition Handling: This class is for the Dog/Handler teams working at the Competition Excellent level.