Agility is a dog sport that demonstrates the athleticism, drive and trainability of a dog as it navigates a course of jumps and hurdles, tunnels, weave poles and contact (climbing) obstacles offload, guided by verbal commands and signals from its handler. 

Agility dogs compete at three levels in the A.K.C. Titling Program: Novice Agility, Open Agility and Agility Excellent. Dogs at each level of Agility competition are classified in one of five jump height divisions, depending on the height of the dog at the withers. The Novice Class is further separated into two divisions: Novice A for persons and dogs that have never acquired an Agility Title. Novice B for dogs that have acquired a Novice Agility Title, persons that have handled a dog to an Agility Title and for Agility judges. 

To earn an Agility Title (in standard classes), a dog must earn three qualifying scores under at least two different judges at A.K.C. Licensed or Member Trials. Titles that may be earned include Novice Agility (NA), Open Agility (OA) and Agility Excellent (AX). Once a dog has completed the Agility Excellent Title, the dog may continue to compete in Agility Classes to earn a Masters Agility Excellent (MX), which requires IO additional qualifying scores in the Agility Excellent Class. 


Cruiser CGC, OA

USDTC AGILITY CLASS LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

General requirements for all agility classes:

 

Level 1-
This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of how to use a clicker for agility training, and to introduce the basic groundwork that will become invaluable to advanced agility classes. Introduce your dog to flatwork, 2x2 touches, weave entries, crate games and reliable stays at the start line before ever introducing them to full size agility equipment. No previous knowledge of clicker training is required as we start handlers and dogs right from scratch.  Level 1 Obstacle list:  table, wobble board, tippy board, lowered dog walk, jump, tire, chute, weave poles, tunnel.

Course Length: 8 weeks.

Ages: 8 months and up.

Please note that the cost of clickers are EXTRA ($1 each)

Level 2-
This class builds on the fundamentals taught in Level 1 and introduces the dog to full size agility equipment set at a lower height.  Dogs and handlers will be introduced to the fundamental types of obstacles used in the majority of venues of agility.

Course Length: 8 weeks.

Ages: 10 mos and up.  

Prerequisite: Level 1 Agility class or equivalent

Please note that the cost of clickers are EXTRA ($1 each)

Level 3-
This class continues the communication and teamwork necessary to form a partnership with your dog in agility.   The class will teach handlers the basics of handling skills and having the dog become proficient on all full height obstacles.  Front and rear crosses, focus and control, contacts and weaves are stressed.  The class will also work on gradually increasing the number of obstacles your off-leash-dog can complete in a sequence.

Course length: 8 weeks

Prerequisite: Level 2 Agility class or equivalent approved by instructor

 


Level 4-
This class will strive to create a winning team between handler and dog.  Handling techniques and training exercises will be designed to help handler/dog teams to become competition-ready at the Novice/Starters levels (or the equivalent).   Students will learn course handling strategies, practice working your dog at a distance, distractions and build speed while managing your dog's performance for both safety and accuracy.  Sequence work and course work will be utilized.

Course length: 8 weeks

Prerequisite: Level 3 Agility class or equivalent approved by instructor

 


Level 5-
This class offers advanced handling skills/techniques for perfecting dog and handler skills to achieve top performance in Open/Advanced to Excellent/Masters level classes. Course work consists of challenging sequences including difficult weave entries, obstacle discrimination, distance and more!

Course length: Ongoing/drop in class

Instructor approval required

Just for Fun Agility Class-
This class is for students who do not wish to compete in agility trials, but love doing agility with their dogs. Our Just for Fun class offers an opportunity to work on all the equipment, bond with your partner, build your dog’s confidence and give your dog an outlet for his energies.  Emphasis will be on performing all obstacles in different sequences, playing agility games and working with specific obstacles, jumps, tunnels and generalized obedience work.  Handling skills will also be taught but with minimal instruction.  Class will be off leash.

Ages: 10 mos and up.

Prerequisite: Level 1 Agility class or higher

Course length: 8 weeks

FYI - ON AKC FOR JWW TITLES


U-GRACH, U- CDX, Luckey CDX, AX, MXP, AXJ, AJP, WW-CDX, WW-RMX, OAC, NGC, NJC, NTC

JUMPERS WITH WEAVES
The Jumpers With Weaves (JWW) Agility Classes consist of a series of jumps and tunnels and weave poles. There are no contact obstacles or pause tables. The courses are designed to be fast and course times are much shorter than the Standard Classes. Dogs are judged on course time as well as faults including off courses and refusals 

NAJ-Novice JWW:
A dog and handler who earn three qualifying scores at the Novice level under two different judges earn the Novice Jumpers With Weaves title and the letters NAJ are placed after the dog's registered name. 

OAJ-Open JWW:
A dog and handler who earn three qualifying scores at the Open level under two different judges earn the Open Jumpers With Weaves title and the letters OAJ are placed after the dog's registered name. 

AXJ-EXCELLENT JWW:
A dog and handler who earn three qualifying scores at the Excellent level under two different judges earn the Excellent Jumpers With Weaves title and the letters AXJ are placed after the dog's registered name.

U-AG II CELTIC WARRIOR PRINCESS CGC, NAP, NAC

FYI - ON UKC TITLES
Look under http://www.ukcdogs.com/Agilityrules.htm Agility Titles and All-Star Ranking