Dog Agility Training Courses for All Levels

Dog agility training is an exciting way to challenge and engage your furry friend, and the best part is that it's accessible to dogs of all ages and skill levels.

Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or just starting out, there's a dog agility training course for you.

Beginner courses focus on basic obedience and introduction to agility equipment, such as tunnels, jumps, and weave poles.

These early exercises help build confidence and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

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If you're new to dog agility training, you'll want to start with the basics. Agility Basic Foundations is a great place to begin, where you'll learn about shaping behaviors with your dog and building reward on obstacles.

This class is designed for handlers with little to no experience, and it's a great starting place if you're interested in pursuing agility or just building a better relationship with your dog. Some obedience training is recommended, but it's not required.

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In Agility Basic Foundations, you'll work on relationship-building activities such as toy play, recalls, impulse control games, and games that build drive. You'll also learn about focus and engagement, hand-end awareness activities, and shaping tricks.

This class is a great foundation for future agility training, and it's a fun way to bond with your dog while learning new skills together. With a solid foundation in place, you'll be ready to move on to more advanced agility training classes.

Some prerequisites to keep in mind: your dog should be at least 6 months old, and you should have some basic obedience training under your belt (Life Skills or similar classes are recommended).

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If you're looking to improve your dog's agility skills, you'll want to check out the various coursework options available.

Agility coursework classes are typically offered at specific times and dates, and some are even full, so be sure to register early.

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You can find classes for Novice/Open, Excellent/Masters, and International/Premier levels, catering to dogs of different skill levels.

Some classes, like the one on Wednesday at 7:15pm, are still open for registration, while others, like the one on Monday at 2:00pm, are already full.

Here are some specific classes and their details:

Make sure to check the prerequisites for each class, such as the Foundations Agility Skills 3 class, which requires completion of Foundations Agility Skills 2.

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In dog agility training, classes are structured to build upon previous skills.

Foundation Agility Skills 4 is a level where teams continue to develop their handling skills, introducing new techniques and practicing short sequences of jumps and tunnels.

At this stage, handlers focus on understanding connection and handling lines for the dog, which is crucial for smooth navigation through the course.

Teams also start to transition their 2o2o behavior to contacts, including the teeter, dog-walk, and A-Frame.

Dog agility training offers various classes to suit different skill levels and goals. The classes are designed to help you and your dog build a strong bond through teamwork and clear communication.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced handler, you can find a class that suits your needs. For example, the Agility Foundations Readiness Assessment is given to all students prior to the First Foundations class, which is designed for dogs aged 10 months or older.

The class structure varies depending on the level of experience. For instance, Advanced Agility Classes require pre-registration and have a maximum number of handlers to ensure equal floor time. Beginner Sequencing 1, on the other hand, is for students who have completed the prerequisites, which include Foundations 1-4 and Intro to Weaves.

Here's a list of classes to help you get started:

Remember to check the prerequisites and requirements for each class to ensure you and your dog are ready to participate and get the most out of the training.

If you're new to agility training, don't worry, there are classes designed for beginners. Agile Pups is a class for puppies up to 16 weeks old, and it's a great way to introduce them to agility training.

For puppies 5 months and older, you can take Agile Pups after attending a Basics for Puppies or Basic Manners Level 1 class.

Agility Foundations 1 is a class that focuses on handling in course type sequences, and it's suitable for dogs 10 months old or older. However, Agile Pups is not a prerequisite for this class.

If you've completed the Foundations classes, you can move on to Beginner Sequencing 1, which requires skills learned in the previous six foundations classes. This class will help you put together skills into short sequences including contacts and weaves.

Here's a summary of the beginner classes:

Remember to check the prerequisites and descriptions carefully before signing up for any class.

If you're looking to take your agility skills to the next level, our Advanced Classes are a great place to start. Pre-registration is required for all sessions, and each handler will have one slot in the class, but may alternate a second dog to give each handler equal floor time.

Class length will be determined by the number of handlers registered for each session. A handler with two dogs will be counted as one slot. Minimum and maximum numbers may vary depending on the class.

For dogs who have completed the Intermediate agility class or are almost ready to enter agility trials, our Advanced Agility class is a great fit. This class will contain sequences focusing on handling and obstacle skills required for the green dog getting ready or just starting to compete.

All contact equipment must be performed at full height without luring into position, and dogs must be able to perform 6 straight weaves without luring or handler assistance. Teams must also be able to execute a sequence of 8-10 obstacles including basic crosses.

If you've already completed our Agility Basic Foundations or have previous experience training and competing in agility, our Agility Advanced Foundations class is designed for you. Students should have a solid understanding and knowledge of shaping, a good relationship with their dog, and a value on obstacles.

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Sequencing is a crucial aspect of dog agility training that involves putting together skills learned in previous classes into short sequences. Students can start with Beginner Sequencing 1, which focuses on handling short sequences with contacts and 6 weaves.

In this class, students will work on getting contacts to full height and 6 weaves to straight. This is a great stepping stone for more advanced sequencing classes.

By the end of Beginner Sequencing 2, students will be able to handle longer sequences with all obstacles and weaves, including 12 straight poles. This class is a natural progression from Beginner Sequencing 1 and prepares students for Novice level courses.

As students advance, they can take classes like Agility Handling Sequences with Contacts and Weaves, which focuses on breaking down a full course into shorter sequences. This class is open to teams working at any level, from Novice to Masters.

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Return is a crucial part of sequencing in agility training, and it's essential to understand the requirements for returning to a class after a break.

Dogs must be at least 6 months old to return to Agility Level 1, ensuring they have reached a certain level of physical and mental maturity.

You'll need to review the prerequisites for Agility Level 1, which include completing Introduction to Agility and having a good foundation in Puppy Manners and/or Basic Obedience.

Here are the specific requirements for returning to Agility Level 1:

By reviewing these requirements, you can ensure a smooth return to Agility Level 1 and continue your dog's agility training journey.

Handling techniques and sequencing are essential skills for any agility team to master. Sequencing involves putting together skills learned in previous classes into short sequences including contacts and weaves.

In Beginner Sequencing 1, students work on getting contacts to full height and 6 weaves to straight. This class is a great stepping stone for teams to build their confidence and skills.

To progress to more advanced sequencing, teams need to have a solid foundation in handling techniques. Handling Techniques & Sequencing is a class that focuses on using jumps and tunnels in sequences of 6-12 obstacles and improving the 3 C's (Connection, Commitment, Cue).

This class is suitable for experienced teams as well as young dogs and new handlers. It's a great opportunity for teams to learn and practice new handling techniques and apply them to sequences.

Here's a breakdown of the skills teams can expect to learn in Handling Techniques & Sequencing:

By mastering these skills, teams can improve their agility performance and have more fun competing together.