This class will help handlers to build relationships with their puppies in the face of distractions while having fun doing foundation exercises for agility. Exercises will focus on attention, body awareness, touch & targeting, stays, recalls, surface exposures, sending to obstacles, left, right & more...
Prerequisite ... a puppy class or instructor permission
Ages: 5 months to 12 months
Peggy Gelb
Leigh Hesselton
This course is designed to introduce the basic groundwork that will lay the invaluable foundation for advancing agility classes. You will introduce your dog to flatwork, 2 on 2 off touches, weave entries, games that build drive and a reliable stay at the start line. Shaping exercises will be utilized to create a more operant dog. Most obstacles will be introduced in this class.
Level 1 obstacles include: table, wobble board, flat board, lowered dog walk, jump, tunnel, 2 X 2 weave poles, lowered A-frame, teeter.
Requirements: Dog must be at least 10 months of age, have completed Basic Obedience or the equivalent to be evaluated by instructor.
Lori Callahan
Linda Truelson - Assisting
The focus of this class is individual obstacle performance and jump foundation utilizing jump grids. Students will be exposed to all agility equipment including weaves poles and contacts at full height. Emphasis will be placed on weave performance and end contact behavior. The ability to perform all obstacles including 6 straight poles must be accomplished before preceding to the next level.
Requirements: Dog must be at least 12 months of age.
Lori Callahan
Pat Seimer - Assisting
Maureen Cambier - Assisting
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, rear, blind crosses, focus, 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 sequence.
Requirements: Graduation from Level 2 Agility class or equivalent approved by instructor.
Theresa Colbert
Duane Crowell
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 become competition-ready at the Novice level (or equivalent). Students will learn course handling strategies, practice working your dog at a distance, distractions and building speed while managing your dog's performance for both safety and accuracy. Sequencing and course work will be utilized.
Requirements: Graduation from Level 3 Agility class or equivalent approved by instructor.
Robynn Modder
This class is for students who may 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 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, courses and occasionally playing agility games. Class will be off leash and dogs must remain under control.
Requirements: For safety purposes, dogs must be able to perform the equipment prior to entering this class. Level 2 Agility or equivalent with Instructor approval.
This cooperative practice group requires a minimum of 4 participants. A person with key privileges needs to be in attendance, collect payments/sign cards and ensure that the club is properly secured when leaving. Everyone pitches in to build the course and put everything away and sanitize as needed.
Courses will be Open to Masters level with two numberings and some Premier handling options provided.
A calendar of all upcoming agility trials in Florida is available here.