Intermediate

In this fun and active class — owners will use positive reinforcement training to teach their dog to navigate its way through an obstacle course — over jumps, the dog walk (an elevated plank with on and off ramps), the A-frame and teeter totter, through tunnels, a tire and weave poles and more.

We also offer specialized agility for puppies with very simple low level obstacles. (It is essential for safety that puppies not jump or scale obstacles at full height as it puts too much stress on their growing bones).

Our agility classes are geared toward making sure the owner and dog truly understand how to perform each and every obstacle — and to building a great working relationship with your dog. If you don’t build a proper foundation at beginner level, then the dog’s performance will fall apart as your dog progresses on to higher levels. Shelley has attended various workshops with some of the top positive reinforcement agility instructors in North America.

Class exercises: Vary according to the level ranging from introduction to the equipment to building handler's ability to navigate the dog through the course with various approaches to the equipment, side changes, calling the dog away from equipment etc.

What does it look like:

Please find a link to Sue Garrett (one of Canada's top caliber agility competitors) below. Sue trains her dogs through positive reinforcement clicker training principles and actually many of our exercises in our classes are based on her teaching.

Agility 1 - This class emphasizes teamwork and building a good working bond.  We introduce the major obstacles - the tunnels, jumps, tire and weave poles at an easy and fun level. We start to build a good contact zone behaviour (nose down to the floor in what we call two on-two off position) so that when the dogs do start to work on the A frame, teeter totter and dog walk in later classes they have the idea of entering and exiting the equipment properly and safely. We also work on some fun games using toys to build focus and control and work to build the dog and handler's ability to work the dog on both the left and right side. When we are working with puppies and beginner dogs all equipment is at a safe, low and easy level - elbow height maximum.  Our space is fully matted with 3/4 inch anti fatigue matting so that we can safely do agility indoors in all weather.

Agility 2 - We continue to build dog's ability to navigate obstacles from agility 1 - building in more difficulty - angled approaches and distance and gradually raising the height of some obstacles. We introduce the dog walk, teeter, and A frame along with building the contact position on these obstacles. The dog and handler work on side changes and some small sequences of equipment.

Agility 3-7 - We keep building dog and handler skills and more complex sequences. We keep raising the height of the contact obstacles eventually to full height and building solid contact zone behaviour. The goal is to prepare you and your dog to be be able to run at a starter level - even if you don't want to compete these classes are where things start to gel for you and your dog in terms of teamwork and the dog's understanding of what you want them to do.

Agility class schedule: Running indoors year round -  see calendar on website atwww.doggonepawsitive.com

General Requirements: For friendly dogs over age 4 months who are up to date on vaccinations including bordatella (kennel cough).

Course requirements: Completion of at least one beginner level positive reinforcement training course and the dog needs to be able to sit, lie down, stay, come, walk nicely on leash and pay attention on their name around other dogs and handlers and movement. 

Course length: 6 classes each level.

Course location: Moncton training space indoors  - space fully matted with 3/4 " anti fatigue ergonomic matting.

Course cost: $170 plus taxes