Introduction Agility introduces the dog and handler team to the use of equipment. The team is then taught the basic skills to confidently and safely complete each obstacle. Everything is taught at the ground level or slightly above.
Prerequisites for Introduction Agility
All students participate in set-up/take down of agility equipment for each class.
Builds on each of the established foundation skills from the Introduction agility classes. The newly learned skills build on the confidence level of the team. The team will successfully execute each obstacle and have a basic understanding of the weave pole exercise and complete a four-to-five obstacles course or series of obstacles. The team will start/have foundation work for the contact obstacles.
The intermediate agility student's (dog and handler) focus will be on building on all of the skills learned in Introduction and Beginner’s Agility classes, taking all of the skills learned to improve on the dog's speed on the equipment. At this point, the dog will have solid contacts, six weave poles, and run a simple course without food.
To move to the skills class, the dog must be confident on each of the obstacles and successfully complete six weave poles. The dog and handler team must successfully complete a simple course without food.
Skills Agility class focuses on improving the dog’s skills and speed on the equipment and improving the handler’s ability to move the dog through the course. New skills such as cross in front, cross behind, layering, distance control, etc. are learned. Skills class is for handlers who are getting ready to show their dogs at the Novice level of competition. Dogs and handlers completing the skills level should be able to compete in an agility trial at the Novice level. Novice courses are set up and students are exposed to what it is like to “run a dog at a trial.” It is the time to learn the rules for showing in agility.
To move up to competition level the dog and handler team must successfully complete 12 weaves poles and be showing in some agility venues.
Competition Agility is for the advanced student showing her dog in competition. It may be any Agility venue. CDTC's focus is on AKC Agility. Handlers will run their dogs through courses set up while an instructor critiques and assists the student in fine tuning skills.
2758 Garfield Ave.
Silver Spring, Md.
Last updated 1/22/2008, CDTC
