Agility
Introduction to Agility: Introduction to Agility will focus on basic obedience and dog handling skills. It will offer a fundamental introduction to agility terminology and some of the agility equipment. The class will work on developing the dog’s body awareness, building play and developing teamwork. A previous basic obedience class is recommended.
Beginning Agility: Beginning Agility will prepare the dog/handler team to develop the necessary skills to perform in the sport of agility. In this class, the teams will begin to work on contacts, tire, and jumps and learn to use verbal and physical cues to assist in the performance of skills.
Specialty Agility - Enhanced Beginning Agility Skills: This class is designed to enhance fundamental skills from Beginning Agility with emphasis on start lines, contact obstacle familiarity, tunnel confidence, and simple jump skills, including wrapping a winged jump.
Beginning Contacts & Weaves for Competitors: Beginning Contacts & Weaves is designed for the handler/dog team needing to improve their skills for agility competition. This class is limited to teams planning for agility competitions. Pre-requisite: Handler/Dog team successfully completed SDOC Beginning Agility and Dog is physically mature enough to do weaves
Foundations of Agility I: Foundations of Agility I will transition the dog/handler teams to full height contacts. Emphasis will be placed on jumping skills, weaves, and short sequences.
Foundations of Agility II: Foundations of Agility II will focus on building stronger weave skills, and learning the crosses (front, rear, blind etc.) to be utilized in longer sequencing. Additional jump work to include turns over jumps, directionals and obstacle discrimination.
Competition Agility I: Competition Agility I is designed for the dog/handler team preparing to trial at the Novice level. Emphasis will be placed on challenging weave pole entries, serps and threadles. Sequencing will be at the Novice/Open level, preparing the teams for competition at an agility trial.
Competition Agility II: Competition Agility II is designed for the dog/handler teams who are seeking to excel at the Open or Excellent levels. Advanced skills, course analysis and full course sequencing will be practiced.
Send & Run Skills: For fast dogs with slower handlers. Teach dog/handler teams skills needed to successfully use distance handling as needed while running Agility courses. Dogs must be confident on ALL obstacles for this class.
Building Independent Obstacle Performance: 6-week class--Focusing on using targets, treats and toys to build the dog's confidence to move ahead to the next logical obstacle, leaving the handler free to prepare for the next challenge on course. Increased independence should allow handlers to execute front, rear and blind crosses more smoothly. Dogs must have successfully completed Competition I Agility and be confident on ALL obstacles.
Master Agility Drills: Master Agility will allow dog/handler teams to learn advance techniques, enhance course analysis skills and practice sequences at the master/premier level.
Various Skill Level Agility Drills are offered throughout the year – see individual scheduled drills on the Calendar for specific details, available for sign up on a weekly basis at the drill sign-up page (https://sdocnm.org/index.php/drill-sign-up)