Agility Class Descriptions
Beginner Agility
Every new sport, for fun or competition, has a start - and for dog agility, the Beginner Agility class is where it all begins! Here, canine and human students will learn the concepts of agility training and handling in a fun and rewarding environment. Dogs will learn how to perform obstacles safely, and both dog and handler will be working together as a team in this exciting introductory class. This class is great for people looking to explore agility with their dog and/or increase a dog’s confidence. Lessons may include jumps (low or no bars), tunnels, tires, body awareness, targeting, weave poles, teeter, and more.
Prerequisite: Canine Manners class or similar background. Teams must be able to work reliably and safely off-leash for brief periods of time.
Foundations 1
Upon completion of Beginner Agility, this first level Foundation agility class introduces dogs and handlers to spatial orientation, movement and body awareness, and further introduction to agility equipment. This class touches on some of the theory behind obstacle performance using targeting, clicker work, and positive reinforcement. Teams will develop an understanding of shaping behavior plus experience training in a multi-dog environment, broadening their ability to focus on basic, yet important tasks. This class provides the building blocks that will serve in a strong agility foundation.
Prerequisite: Beginner agility or similar background. Dogs must be proficient with basic commands, work well with others, and demonstrate the ability to have self control. They must be able to work reliably and safely off-leash for brief periods of time. A strong interest in toy and/or food rewards is a plus.
Foundations 2 and Foundations 3
This next level Foundation agility class explores many of the "tools" a team will rely upon to advance in their agility journey. And while the old adage "a house is only as strong as its foundation" applies here, it's what's in the "tool box" that makes the foundation mighty. The Foundations 2 and Foundations 3 classes build upon the elements previously learned, and advances team knowledge with more equipment work and basic handling theory. This class reinforces good habits, explores practical techniques, and helps guide teams safely and effectively forward to more complicated skills.
Prerequisite: Foundations 1 class or similar background. Teams should be able to focus on tasks within a distracting environment, demonstrate self-control, and work safely off-leash. Dogs should be familiar with agility equipment, though they may not be proficient. Teams should have an understanding of positive reinforcement techniques using toys/food/clickers. Teams should have a positive attitude and be prepared to practice some skills at home.
Every new sport, for fun or competition, has a start - and for dog agility, the Beginner Agility class is where it all begins! Here, canine and human students will learn the concepts of agility training and handling in a fun and rewarding environment. Dogs will learn how to perform obstacles safely, and both dog and handler will be working together as a team in this exciting introductory class. This class is great for people looking to explore agility with their dog and/or increase a dog’s confidence. Lessons may include jumps (low or no bars), tunnels, tires, body awareness, targeting, weave poles, teeter, and more.
Prerequisite: Canine Manners class or similar background. Teams must be able to work reliably and safely off-leash for brief periods of time.
Foundations 1
Upon completion of Beginner Agility, this first level Foundation agility class introduces dogs and handlers to spatial orientation, movement and body awareness, and further introduction to agility equipment. This class touches on some of the theory behind obstacle performance using targeting, clicker work, and positive reinforcement. Teams will develop an understanding of shaping behavior plus experience training in a multi-dog environment, broadening their ability to focus on basic, yet important tasks. This class provides the building blocks that will serve in a strong agility foundation.
Prerequisite: Beginner agility or similar background. Dogs must be proficient with basic commands, work well with others, and demonstrate the ability to have self control. They must be able to work reliably and safely off-leash for brief periods of time. A strong interest in toy and/or food rewards is a plus.
Foundations 2 and Foundations 3
This next level Foundation agility class explores many of the "tools" a team will rely upon to advance in their agility journey. And while the old adage "a house is only as strong as its foundation" applies here, it's what's in the "tool box" that makes the foundation mighty. The Foundations 2 and Foundations 3 classes build upon the elements previously learned, and advances team knowledge with more equipment work and basic handling theory. This class reinforces good habits, explores practical techniques, and helps guide teams safely and effectively forward to more complicated skills.
Prerequisite: Foundations 1 class or similar background. Teams should be able to focus on tasks within a distracting environment, demonstrate self-control, and work safely off-leash. Dogs should be familiar with agility equipment, though they may not be proficient. Teams should have an understanding of positive reinforcement techniques using toys/food/clickers. Teams should have a positive attitude and be prepared to practice some skills at home.
Handling 101
This skills class focuses on the basic agility handling techniques to further the foundational education of dog and handler teams. These handling skills are gradually built upon as the agility team grows and matures in their knowledge, competency, and confidence. Agility equipment covered in class may include: weave poles, teeter/seesaw, dog walk, a-frame, table, tunnels, jumps, and a variety of introductory handling skills. Teams will work on reinforcing skill sets individually and within short sequences, broadening their obstacle behaviors while honing their handling skills.
Prerequisite: Foundations 2/Foundations 3 class or similar background. Teams should have the ability to focus on tasks within a distracting environment, demonstrate self control, and be able to work safely off-leash. Dogs should be familiar with contact obstacles and have developed the beginnings of contact behaviors. Teams should be practicing clicker work and/or positive reinforcement through toys and food. Teams should have a positive attitude and be prepared to practice some skills at home.
Pre-Novice and Novice
Skills will be broken down and then worked on in progression with 3-5 obstacle sequences. Building connection in handling and obstacle commitment is the overall goal. Dogs and handlers at this level may be relatively new to agility, completed the Foundations series of classes, and not yet titled a dog or have titles up through AKC Novice (or equivalent). Challenges will be at the Novice and Open levels. All equipment is at full height and the dog should be able to complete 12 weave poles with 75% consistency.
Prerequisite: Foundations series of classes, proficiency of basic handling techniques, or similar background. Teams should have a positive attitude and be prepared to practice some skills at home.
Intermediate Skills: Open and Excellent
Using a team's solid grasp of skills and basic handling, the Intermediate agility class will enhance proficiency on equipment and in handling sequences, and aims to improve a team's overall performance and confidence. Dogs and handlers at this level may have titles up through AKC Excellent (or equivalent). This class addresses start-line skills, refines front/rear/blind crosses, explores weave pole entry skills, and the use of positional cues. It will expand the team's understanding of motion as it relates to collection, extension, and lateral distance. Focusing on enthusiasm and fun, teams will advance through short sequences plus learn to develop and execute course strategies.
Prerequisite: Pre-novice/novice agility class, or similar background. Dogs should demonstrate an understanding and general competency of all agility obstacles. Human handlers should understand basic handling practices and theory. Teams should have a positive attitude and regularly practice skills at home.
This skills class focuses on the basic agility handling techniques to further the foundational education of dog and handler teams. These handling skills are gradually built upon as the agility team grows and matures in their knowledge, competency, and confidence. Agility equipment covered in class may include: weave poles, teeter/seesaw, dog walk, a-frame, table, tunnels, jumps, and a variety of introductory handling skills. Teams will work on reinforcing skill sets individually and within short sequences, broadening their obstacle behaviors while honing their handling skills.
Prerequisite: Foundations 2/Foundations 3 class or similar background. Teams should have the ability to focus on tasks within a distracting environment, demonstrate self control, and be able to work safely off-leash. Dogs should be familiar with contact obstacles and have developed the beginnings of contact behaviors. Teams should be practicing clicker work and/or positive reinforcement through toys and food. Teams should have a positive attitude and be prepared to practice some skills at home.
Pre-Novice and Novice
Skills will be broken down and then worked on in progression with 3-5 obstacle sequences. Building connection in handling and obstacle commitment is the overall goal. Dogs and handlers at this level may be relatively new to agility, completed the Foundations series of classes, and not yet titled a dog or have titles up through AKC Novice (or equivalent). Challenges will be at the Novice and Open levels. All equipment is at full height and the dog should be able to complete 12 weave poles with 75% consistency.
Prerequisite: Foundations series of classes, proficiency of basic handling techniques, or similar background. Teams should have a positive attitude and be prepared to practice some skills at home.
Intermediate Skills: Open and Excellent
Using a team's solid grasp of skills and basic handling, the Intermediate agility class will enhance proficiency on equipment and in handling sequences, and aims to improve a team's overall performance and confidence. Dogs and handlers at this level may have titles up through AKC Excellent (or equivalent). This class addresses start-line skills, refines front/rear/blind crosses, explores weave pole entry skills, and the use of positional cues. It will expand the team's understanding of motion as it relates to collection, extension, and lateral distance. Focusing on enthusiasm and fun, teams will advance through short sequences plus learn to develop and execute course strategies.
Prerequisite: Pre-novice/novice agility class, or similar background. Dogs should demonstrate an understanding and general competency of all agility obstacles. Human handlers should understand basic handling practices and theory. Teams should have a positive attitude and regularly practice skills at home.
Advanced
While continuing to perfect obstacle performance and handling skills, the Advanced agility class explores course analysis using multiple handling strategy choices. Teams will be challenged in discriminations, blending handling techniques, and more difficult side changes. Courses from AKC Open/Excellent/Master levels will be used. Dogs at this level should have reliable contact equipment performance and independent weave poles. The teams will gain a better understanding of how personal handling choices will impact their team's success.
Prerequisite: Intermediate/Open/Excellent agility class, Skills & Drills classes, or similar background. Dogs must be proficient on all equipment and be able to work among distractions including other dogs working near them.
While continuing to perfect obstacle performance and handling skills, the Advanced agility class explores course analysis using multiple handling strategy choices. Teams will be challenged in discriminations, blending handling techniques, and more difficult side changes. Courses from AKC Open/Excellent/Master levels will be used. Dogs at this level should have reliable contact equipment performance and independent weave poles. The teams will gain a better understanding of how personal handling choices will impact their team's success.
Prerequisite: Intermediate/Open/Excellent agility class, Skills & Drills classes, or similar background. Dogs must be proficient on all equipment and be able to work among distractions including other dogs working near them.
Masters & Beyond
This class focuses on the types of complex courses often found in AKC and UKI Masters/Premier levels, USDAA Masters/Masters Challenge classes, and international coursework. Teams will be faced with a variety of interesting challenges, learning new skills designed to help them expand their agility horizons and be comfortable with these new course designs. While still centered on fun, motivation, and enthusiasm, this class provides great opportunities for those who enjoy new diverse and fun challenges.
Prerequisite: AKC Excellent or equivalent titles. Dogs must be proficient on all equipment and experienced on Excellent/Masters-type courses. Handlers should understand the concepts of a motion-based handling system.
This class focuses on the types of complex courses often found in AKC and UKI Masters/Premier levels, USDAA Masters/Masters Challenge classes, and international coursework. Teams will be faced with a variety of interesting challenges, learning new skills designed to help them expand their agility horizons and be comfortable with these new course designs. While still centered on fun, motivation, and enthusiasm, this class provides great opportunities for those who enjoy new diverse and fun challenges.
Prerequisite: AKC Excellent or equivalent titles. Dogs must be proficient on all equipment and experienced on Excellent/Masters-type courses. Handlers should understand the concepts of a motion-based handling system.
Skills & Drills
Obstacle performance drills are reviewed each week in order to increase the dog’s independent performance and confidence on each obstacle. Jumps, tunnels, table, and tire, in addition to the traditional contact obstacles and weave poles will be used. Short handling sequences are utilized. Emphasis will continue to be on handlers learning proper rate and placement of reinforcement for the dog, and the handler becoming more competent and confident in recognizing and rewarding the dog’s correct choices in training. Basic skills and drills are also done weekly in order to improve handler fluidity and the dogs understanding of front/rear/blind crosses, serpentines, threadles, backsides, and various lead out positions.
Prerequisite: Foundations series of classes, pre-novice/novice classes, or similar background.
Fancy Handling
With international-style courses gaining popularity, and those elements being incorporated into the everyday coursework we see in many agility venues, developing those skills and techniques has become an important element in an agility handler's toolbox. This class will focus on a range of cue combinations based on the OneMind Dog handling program to help further broaden the handler's knowledge. While the focus of this class is on handler maneuvers rather than running full sequences, the handlers should expect to be working much of the class on improving their understanding by using only a few obstacles.
Prerequisite: As this class is focused on expanding handling techniques, a dog and handler team should be proficient at the Open/Excellent/Masters level.
From Weaves to Wow
In this class you'll work your way from entries to exits, distances, and distractions all while focusing on confidence and understanding of the challenging weave pole obstacle. Dogs will need to be able to weave 12 poles to be in this class, but here you'll be able to develop them further, starting on your journey to mastering this critical obstacle - and do it all with sound coaching, interesting techniques, and fun.
Prerequisite: Novice or Intermediate level classes, dogs should consistently weave 12 poles with confidence.
In this class you'll work your way from entries to exits, distances, and distractions all while focusing on confidence and understanding of the challenging weave pole obstacle. Dogs will need to be able to weave 12 poles to be in this class, but here you'll be able to develop them further, starting on your journey to mastering this critical obstacle - and do it all with sound coaching, interesting techniques, and fun.
Prerequisite: Novice or Intermediate level classes, dogs should consistently weave 12 poles with confidence.
Learn more about our other classes - nosework class descriptions, manners plus family dog and puppy class descriptions.