Huge Congratulations to The Agility Facility's very own MACH 2 Marron and Lora Abbott!!!
Marron went to the Nutmeg Border Collie AKC trial this weekend needing 1 QQ for her MACH 2!!
I had no doubts :-)
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
What is Agility Foundations
Why do I need foundations for agility?
I've been doing agility since 1995. Things have changed a huge amount since I first brought my dog to our first agility class. I was so excited to do this class and couldn't wait to put her on equipment. Back then, there wasn't a thing called "foundations". We were all learning together. Dogs weren't running as fast as they do now. We managed to teach equipment and muddled through "handling". We, the dogs and handlers, didn't have good skills but we did the best we could and we continued to learn in this very new sport.
Today in agility, we have so much more knowledge, dogs are running faster, equipment has improved greatly and the courses in competition have gotten more challenging.
Everyone has a different goal in agility whether it's to make the world team and travel abroad to compete with the best or just have a fun night out with your best friend. Sometimes your goals change. In 1995, I didn't even know there were competitions or that I could bring my mix breed dog to these events. 18 years later, my fun night out with my dog has turned into a passion for the sport and has given me a wealth of knowledge
What are some basic skills needed?
- recalls
- stays
- understanding release word
- focus
- play with toys
- play without toys
- taking treats
- going back and forth between food and toys
- impulse control
- lying quietly in a crate
- retrieve
- understanding of which side of handler to be on while walking
- ability to go from handler focus to obstacle focus
What are some advanced skills needed?
- recalls off food, dogs, people, wildlife, toys
- stays while throwing treats, toys, dogs running past, wildlife running past, handler running away
- focus with all of the above
- understanding release word
- playing with toys on demand
- playing without toys for 3 minutes straight
- tugging on a toy while reaching into pocket, with a bowl of food on the ground, with treats in your hand, with other dogs playing
- impulse control with all of the above
- lying quietly in a crate with all of the above
- retrieve a "dead" toy. A toy that is not moving
- understanding of which side of handler to be on while running and with side changes
- ability to go from handler focus to obstacle focus
Those are just some of the skills needed away from equipment and it does take time to develop them.
So what are some skills needed for equipment?
- balance
- strength
- body awareness
- hind end awareness
- ability to turn in both directions equally
- independence
- ability to weight shift
- ability to go from handler focus to obstacle focus
- understanding release word
- the ability to know how to learn via shaping behaviors
What should you expect from your foundation class?
Your dog will learn these skills over the weeks in class along with learning obstacles. I try to balance the class so you and your dog are getting a little of everything.
What we strive for is a confident and happy dog that negotiates the obstacles efficiently, fast, confidently and safely while you as a handler direct him around the course.
Prepare for some fun!!
This is Puck at 5 months old balanced and turning out of a tunnel with me running
March classes
Leap into Spring with Agility classes at the Agility Facility
Killingworth
Monday Starting February 24
Master level handling-FULL
Masters level course work with the introduction and introduction of some international style handling skills. Dogs should be competing in the Masters/Excellent level
3:00-4:30
Starting Monday March 10
Agility Foundations
6:00-7:00
This class lays the foundation for a successful agility career for you and your dog. Dogs and handlers will learn how to work together, teach balance and body awareness. Some basic “obedience for agility” will be included. Several dogs will be on the floor at once so some focus exercises will be touched upon as well. Introduction to obstacles included
Limit 5 dogs
6:00-7:00
Foundation II
This is a continuation of Agility Foundations. Dog will continue to learn obstacles while handlers are learning to handle their dogs. Short sequences will be implemented as well. This is a "tweener" class
Dogs must have completed Foundation I class
Limit 5 dogs
7:15-8:45
Novice/Advanced Handling
This class is for dogs sequencing all obstacles that still may need some proofing. Introduction of "fancy handling" will also be covered.
Limit 6 dogs
***Classes at the lower levels are kept small and the Agility Foundations level have 2 instructors so there is less waiting around time
Please go to this link to sign up:
or questions:
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