Agility Class Descriptions
Intro to Agility / Puppy Foundation
For puppies/dogs new to agility. Topics covered include flatwork, target training, impulse control, restrained recalls and body awareness. Introduction to low or ground level contact equipment. Introduction to weave poles for mature dogs. For still growing dogs, jumps will remain low or on the ground. Expected that some practice will be done outside of class. This class is normally divided into two, 8-week sessions. 
Prerequisites: Beginner Obedience or permission of instructor
Beginner I
Emphasis on proficiency and independent contact equipment performance. Introduction to weave poles for young dogs. Front, rear and blind crosses will be worked with short sequences (four/six obstacles) and fun drills. Handling strategies will be discussed. 
Prerequisites: Intro to Agility/Puppy Foundation or permission of instructor or Agility Director
Beginner II
Continuation of Beginner I, with emphasis on mastering contact equipment and weave poles. More advanced drills and slightly longer sequences (six/eight obstacles) will be used to work on handling techniques and strategies. 
Prerequisites: Beginner I or permission of instructor or Agility Director
​Pre-Novice
Teams preparing for competition. Building proficiencies with weave poles, contact obstacles. Discussion of non-verbal handling cues; acceleration and deceleration. Emphasis on running Novice sequences (nine/twelve obstacles) and building to a full Novice course. Preference will be given to teams preparing for competition that are continuing from Beginner II. 
Prerequisites: Beginner II or permission of instructor or Agility Director
Novice
Teams that have started competition. Courses will be adjusted for the less experienced agility dog. A variety of sequence lengths will be run. Handling skills learned in lower level classes will be used and enhanced to negotiate through sequence challenges. Emphasis on visualizing dog’s path and properly identify course challenges. Handlers will be given opportunity to identify handling strategies for each challenge. Dogs and handlers will maintain criteria on all contact equipment. 
Prerequisites: Pre-Novice or permission of instructor or Agility Director.
Open and Excellent
For teams that are competing in Open and/or Excellent and want to continue to increase their skills for competition. Emphasis on course analysis, identifying sequences commonly seen on higher level courses (pinwheels/serpentines/back sides/discriminations) and breaking them down to train.
Prerequisites: Novice title or teams training at, but not yet competing in, Excellent.
​Also by permission of instructor or Agility Director.
Masters
For teams working at the AKC/USDAA Masters level. Courses are typically challenging and handlers are encouraged to identify different ways to handle specific sequences. Focus on setting the fastest lines for both handler and dog. Handlers are encouraged to “think outside the box”. Distance work and international sequences are also explored. 
Prerequisites: Excellent title or teams training at, but not yet competing in, Masters.
​Also by permission of instructor or Agility Director.

Specialty Classes

Master Challenge
This class is designed for the dog and handler who want to dissect and analyze. Long and short sequences are worked multiple ways to explore what works best for each dog and handler team. Lots of international elements (backsides, threadles, pull-thrus, difficult weave entries, etc). Focus is on clean and fast, fast, fast! Multiple options on sequences are discussed. Short sets are run and rerun to develop new skills and find the fastest growth.
Young Dog with Experienced Handle
This class will focus on building skills for competition. All types of handling for Regular and Premier courses will be addressed. Young dogs will not jump full height until ready and sequences will be relatively short. Contacts will not be full height and dogs do not have to be weaving.
Sequencing
This class will focus on sequences commonly seen in excellent/masters courses. We will break down the course as needed focusing on foundation skills that need to be in place to successfully navigate today's upper level courses. Jumps do not need to be at full ​height.  Contacts and weaves will not be included. 
Prerequisites: Dogs should be able to sequence up to 10 obstacles
Distance Handling
Dogs are taught independent skills on all contact equipment. Development of skills needed to work away from the handler.
Agility Basics
This class will work on some of the basic foundation skills for agility in a series of fun games and exercises and play.  Teams will build confidence and understanding of different obstacles used in agility, such as the table, tunnels and Aframe, in a fun atmosphere.  Teams can work at their own level while expanding skills and learning the exciting sport of agility. 
Prerequisites: Beginner Obedience or permission of instructor