Good Dog Agility
Classes
Our goal is to make training affordable, accessible and enjoyable; from the beginning agility team to competitive teams. We use only positive reinforcement training techniques and focus on the handler/dog relationship.
Class Guidelines
- Dogs must be at least 9 months old for training.
- GDA group classes are intended for non-aggressive dogs and dogs who are not highly reactive to their surroundings, unfamiliar people or dogs.
- All dogs MUST be crated or in an xpen for class set up and teardown.
- Intermediate and Advanced dogs need to have completed a Beginning class with Good Dog or another training group.
- If you are not sure for which class to register, contact Secretary@gooddog.org
- In order to gain maximum benefit from training, your dog must be in the correct class. Placing a dog in a class above its level leads to frustration for the dog and handler and promotes poor agility habits.
- What to Bring to Class
- Dog Aggression Policy
Training Guidelines
- All dogs must be leashed when not involved in a training exercise. When waiting your turn to perform obstacles, please leash or confine your dog.
- Reward your dog for attempts and effort. Remember, some of the obstacles can be difficult for a dog to learn and may even elicit fear. Learning to perform the obstacle successfully builds confidence in the dog and improves the relationship between dog and handler.
- If your dog runs off during his turn, give one recall command. If your dog does not respond, do not give the command again. Giving a second command reinforces inappropriate behavior. Instead, go get your dog quickly and return to the obstacle if the instructor has directed you to do so. If it takes too much time to retrieve your dog, return with your dog to the set and your instructor will tell you when you can try the obstacle again.
Training Philosophy
The Good Dog Agility Training philosophy emphasizes positive training techniques with your dog. The sport of agility is meant to be enjoyed by both the dog and handler. A flat buckle collar is recommended for training.
Good Dog Agility is a USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association) club and training stresses USDAA rules. All Good Dog shows are USDAA sanctioned shows. Many Good Dog members compete in NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council) and AKC (American Kennel Club) as well, however, training will focus on USDAA standards, rules, and regulations. Visit the USDAA site for more information about USDAA. Links to these other organizations are located under Resources.
Class
Descriptions
Beginners
Designed to introduce dogs to agility and the performance of agility obstacles.
Important:
All dogs MUST be crated or put in a pen
for set up and teardown each class.
more info
Important:
All dogs MUST be crated or put in a pen
for set up and teardown each class.
more info
Beginners
Beginners class is designed to introduce dogs to agility and the performance of agility obstacles.
Time will also be devoted to developing basic foundation skills such as stay, down, sit, come and come to hand. The class will focus on teaching handlers how to communicate with their dogs and gain a greater understanding of how dogs learn. Handlers will be expected to practice exercises during the week outside class. While the exercises generally do not require home equipment, students may eventually consider acquiring some minimal equipment such as a jump, 12’ plank, and PVC weave poles. Note: This class is intended for non-aggressive, non-reactive dogs who can cope (learn) in a large class setting. Handlers should review the list of items required for participation in the class at What to bring to class page.
Class size is limited to 20 dog/handler teams. Dogs must be at least 9 months of age before the first class meeting. Classes are offered in the Spring and Fall.
Class is Full
Time will also be devoted to developing basic foundation skills such as stay, down, sit, come and come to hand. The class will focus on teaching handlers how to communicate with their dogs and gain a greater understanding of how dogs learn. Handlers will be expected to practice exercises during the week outside class. While the exercises generally do not require home equipment, students may eventually consider acquiring some minimal equipment such as a jump, 12’ plank, and PVC weave poles. Note: This class is intended for non-aggressive, non-reactive dogs who can cope (learn) in a large class setting. Handlers should review the list of items required for participation in the class at What to bring to class page.
Class size is limited to 20 dog/handler teams. Dogs must be at least 9 months of age before the first class meeting. Classes are offered in the Spring and Fall.
Advanced Beginners
Designed to continue introducing dogs to agility and the performance of the agility obstacles.
Important:
All dogs MUST be crated or put in an xpen
for set up and teardown each class.
more info
Important:
All dogs MUST be crated or put in an xpen
for set up and teardown each class.
more info
Advanced Beginners
Advanced Beginners classes are designed to continue introducing dogs to agility and the performance of the agility obstacles.
Students in this class should already be familiar with agility obstacles such as jumps, teeter, dog walk, A-frame, and weave poles.
Class size is limited to 16 dog/handler teams. This 16-week class is offered in the Fall and Spring.
Class is Full
Students in this class should already be familiar with agility obstacles such as jumps, teeter, dog walk, A-frame, and weave poles.
Class size is limited to 16 dog/handler teams. This 16-week class is offered in the Fall and Spring.
Intermediate
Prerequisite: Intermediate Agility Class or instructor approval.
more info
more info
Intermediate
Intermediate - Emphasis and Goals
• Blind crosses
• Obstacle proofing such as sends, lead outs and crosses before and after the obstacles
• Distance work
• Pinwheels
• Walking/reading a course
• Rear crosses
• Front crosses
• Obstacle discrimination
• Wraps • Acceleration and deceleration
• Serpentines
• 270's
• Backside jumps
• Pushes
Prerequisite: Intermediate Agility Class or instructor approval. Intermediate Agility is a 16-week class offered in the Fall and Spring.
Class is Full
• Blind crosses
• Obstacle proofing such as sends, lead outs and crosses before and after the obstacles
• Distance work
• Pinwheels
• Walking/reading a course
• Rear crosses
• Front crosses
• Obstacle discrimination
• Wraps • Acceleration and deceleration
• Serpentines
• 270's
• Backside jumps
• Pushes
Prerequisite: Intermediate Agility Class or instructor approval. Intermediate Agility is a 16-week class offered in the Fall and Spring.
Handlers
Prerequisites: Completion of at least two sessions of Intermediate class and Instructor Approval
more info
more info
Handlers
The objective of this class is to focus on developing teamwork using more advanced skills. It is assumed handlers have a proficiency in basic skills such as crosses, wraps, and threadles. Each week a new skill will be taught and practiced, then incorporated into a sequence. Handling maneuvers covered will include: advanced backside skills (forced front crosses, german turns, serps, whiskey turns), jaako turns, advanced blind crosses, advanced serps and threadles. Additional skills may also be included such as advanced distance skills (lateral sends, outs and go), obstacle discriminations, layering, countermotion, lap turns, obstacle proofing, and/or strategies for running courses.
Handlers Prerequesites: Completion of at least two sessions of Intermediate Class and Instructor approval.
Dog can perform all obstacles with all crosses (front/blind/rear crosses).
Handling knowledge of threadles, serps and wraps.
Basic knowledge of backsides.
Verbal directionals are helpful but not mandatory.
Competing in agility at any venue
This 16-week class is offered in the Fall and Spring.
Class is Full
Handlers Prerequesites: Completion of at least two sessions of Intermediate Class and Instructor approval.
Dog can perform all obstacles with all crosses (front/blind/rear crosses).
Handling knowledge of threadles, serps and wraps.
Basic knowledge of backsides.
Verbal directionals are helpful but not mandatory.
Competing in agility at any venue
This 16-week class is offered in the Fall and Spring.
Class Calendar
Schedule
Class Schedule
Calendar
Note: There will be NO CLASSES on the weeks of: January 23rd, and May 7th
For a full-sized version of this calendar, please CLICK HERE
Class Location and
Cost
Class Instructor
