Dallas Dog Sports offers agility training classes from the Beginner
level to the Advanced level. Most classes meet in the evenings, Monday through Thursday. There are a few daytime classes as
well. Although some of you would like to see some weekend training
classes, that's when all the shows are, and all us instructor types are
out showing or judging.
For class content, Private
Instruction, and Pre-requisites, click on the class level above.
* All Beginner Agility candidates must complete and pass the
graduation criteria for the Pre-Agility Level 2 (P2) class.
PREREQUISITES
for all classes:
(1) Your dog must not exhibit aggression
towards people or dogs at any time ... for any reason. This stipulation
is not to be taken lightly. You will not be permitted to work an aggressive
dog at Dallas Dog Sports, and no refunds will
be made should you be excused from classes.
Handlers must be 12 years of age or older to participate.
CLASS CONTENT
All classes are designed to meet
the needs of the dogs/handlers at each level. We concentrate on teaching
the individual obstacles in the Beginner classes. The Novice classes work on developing the technical skills
you will need to sequence obstacles on a course. The Intermediate level
classes assume full comprehension of all obstacles, and concentrates on
'finding the flow' on the course. The Advanced classes work on the
nuances of handling, perfecting the lines to
execute the most efficient course, and take all these skills and push it to the limit.
BEGINNER AGILITY
The beginner agility program consists of two six week sessions, Beginner Agility 1 and 2.
Beginner Agility 1 |
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Eligibility:
Dogs must be a minimum of 7 months (30 weeks) old AND have received their Rabies, Parvo and Distemper vaccinations. This
level presumes your dog graduated from the Pre-Agility Level 2 class offered at DDS and has a good understanding of the skills described uner "What your dog will learn" as outlined under the P2 description (see Pre-Agility 2). Handlers must be 12 years of age or older to participate. No aggressive dogs, please.
What you will learn:
- HANDLING maneuvers such as front cross, post turn,
- Basic agility hand SIGNALS using close arm and off arm,,
- Reward Zone - RZ and what an important role it plays,
- Agility 'speak' - it's a whole new LANGUAGE 😊,
- Basic RULES for competing in the sport of dog agility,
- How to THINK and MOVE at the same time,
- Basic agility FOOTWORK
What your dogs will learn:
- Your dog will gain experience on the following agility obstacles: Jumps, Tire, Table, Tunnel, Dogwalk, Aframe. (We save the Teeter-Totter and the Weave Poles for the Novice Agility class),
- Sequencing obstacles using common configurations such as figure 8, pinwheels, arcs and boxes,
- Sending skills (send to jumps, tunnel and table),
- Independent contact zone criteria - 2on/2off,
- How to stay focused on YOU during their off-leash work,
To GRADUATE from the Beginner Agility 1 class, dogs must:
- Be UNDER CONTROL when off-leash,
- Have a solid STAY at the start line,
- For CONTACT OBSTACLES: Must be crossing the low dogwalk and aframe with confidence,
- Demonstrate a good understanding of 2ON/2OFF behavior on a ground plank,
- Be performing a JUMP, TIRE, TUNNEL, TABLE on their own (not at full jump height),
- Demonstrate an 'off' switch, either crated or on their mat,
- Be in FIT CONDITION and at a working weight that will allow them to be successful at their full jump height
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Beginner Agility 2 |
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This class is a continuation of the Beginner Agility 1 class and builds upon the great foundation that you have worked so hard on with your dog. You must have met the Eligibility requirements AND the graduation criteria as outlined above in the Beginner Agility 1 class in order to participate in Beginner Agility 2. This class give you and your dog more time on the obstacles, learning how to be an agility dog 😊. There is a GRADUATION TEST at the conclusion of this session that allows you to move on to the NOVICE AGILITY level or repeat previous sessions if the need arises.
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NOVICE AGILITY CLASS:
This class level is designed to take your basic
training of individual obstacle and short sequences on to the next step and add the Teeter or Weave Poles to the list of trained obstacles.
The goal of the Novice Agility Class is to get you and your dog ready for agility competitions.
To graduate from the Novice
Agility Class to the Intermediate Agility Class:
- All Obstacles: Dog must
be able to successfully and reliably negotiate each obstacle in its
final form (jumps at full height, contact obstacles at full height,
straight line weaves).
- Dog must have achieved three qualifying scores in
the Standard class (i.e. earned their Novice Standard title) in
either AKC, ASCA or USDAA. For other venues, please
discuss with your Instructor.
INTERMEDIATE AGILITY CLASS:
The Intermediate Agility Class is for dogs that have some competition experience, having attained their NOVICE STANDARD title.
The focus of the Intermediate Agility Class level is to improve and add to your handling repertoire, further our
dogs' education on obstacle performance, and delve into course analysis.
To graduate from the
Intermediate Agility Class to the Advanced Agility Class:
- Dog must be competing at the top level (in the
Standard class) in any venue: (Masters (USDAA), Excellent (AKC),
or Elite (NADAC).
ADVANCED AGILITY CLASS:
The Advanced Agility Class
is our highest level class. It is reserved for dogs that are
competing at the top level class - Masters, Excellent, or Elite.
This is the class where we 'find the flow' and set out to train and handle
for that Blue Ribbon performance.
PRIVATE
INSTRUCTION
If you would like some one-on-one training,
book one of our instructors for some valuable concentrated training. We
offer private instruction in both pre-agility and agility.
Fees for private lessons are listed on the "Class Fees"
page.
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