Training: Agility

Agility started in 1977 as half-time entertainment at Crufts and since then has turned into the fastest growing dog sport in the world. While doing agility, a dog runs through a timed obstacle course consisting of a see-saw, A-frame, dogwalk, weavepoles, jumps and tunnels, all under the guidance of its handler. Agility training strengthens the bond with dogs and their owners, while at the same time giving them both exercise. But most importantly, agility is a lot of fun!!

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Classes

Clicker Skills – At SNAP we teach people how to communicate with their dogs by marking behaviors with a clicker, which is similar to taking a snapshot. By correctly marking and rewarding behaviors, we teach students to create thinking dogs that try to figure out what is right rather than avoid doing something wrong. This class is taught in a non-agility setting, often without dogs. The goal of this class is to teach and/or improve your clicker skills by working on your timing, criteria and rate of reinforcement.

Prerequisites: None.

Foundation - While originally intended for puppies, this class will introduce all dogs and handlers to the basics of agility. The focus of the class will be teaching techniques that will give handlers a better understanding of how dogs learn, while improving communication skills and building the bond between dog and handler that is essential to creating the working relationship necessary to be successful in agility. Once the foundation skills have been mastered, dogs will be introduced to contact obstacles.


Prerequisites: None

Beginner - Handlers will introduce their dogs to obstacles on low equipment, teaching them to perform each obstacle safely, correctly and confidently. Handlers will begin to learn specific handling moves that will help them to guide their dogs efficiently through short agility sequences. Dogs will be introduced to weavepoles.

Prerequisites: Completion of SNAP’s Foundation class, or instructor referral.

Intermediate - Handlers will begin to train dogs on full-height equipment while also learning how body language affects their dogs. Concentration will be on sharpening and refining handling skills needed for longer, more complex sequences with an emphasis on training weavepoles.

Prerequisites: Completion of SNAP’s Beginner class, or instructor referral.

Advanced - Handlers will learn course-handling strategies, while working on building their dog’s confidence, accuracy and speed. In addition, distance work will be emphasized as well as fast, accurate weavepole performance. Competitors in this class should be capable of working at the Novice/Starters and Open/Advanced levels of AKC/USDAA/NADAC competition.

Prerequisites: Completion of SNAP’s Intermediate class, or instructor referral. Dogs must be able to do full-height equipment and closed weavepoles.

Competition - Handlers will work on more advanced courses, refining their handling strategies, while continuing to work on building their dog’s confidence, accuracy and speed. Competitors in this class should be capable of working at the Excellent/Masters/Elite level in AKC/USDAA/NADAC competition.

Prerequisites: Completion of SNAP’s Advanced class, or instructor referral. Dogs must be able to do full-height equipment and closed weavepoles.