Jeff and Tuvok demonstrate that Agility involves running.

Agility Classes

** Updated October 2011 **

Agility is a sport that is open to anyone regardless of age and any dog regardless of pedigree.  A normal level of physical fitness is mandatory for participants as some running is required. 

WE TRAIN YOU TO TRAIN YOUR DOG

IMPORTANT :   

Please be sure to read and fully agree to all the Safety Rules in order to enroll in any Herdabout K-9 Academy class.

All classes must be paid for in advance.  Cash is the only method of payment accepted.

Dogs must be on flat buckle or martingale collars for these classes.  No head halters, body harnesses, choke chains or prong collars will be permitted in class for safety reasons. 

Please check the Safety Rules page for more Do's & Don'ts.

The Pawzabilities Program

8 weeks long

Price $132.75 + $17.25 HST = $150.00

For those who are serious about agility and want to start their puppy's agility career off on the right paw.

This class teaches the ground work for handling skills to both the owner and their dog.  We use body awareness and co-ordination exercises for the dogs, directional foundation work and a few obstacles on the flat to lay a good training foundation for this sport.

Puppies must have had their second set of DHPP vaccinations to attend this class. Junior Puppy Kindergarten is not a pre-requisite for this class but it is strongly recommended for both control and attention skills that are taught in the obedience class.

This class is offered all year with both indoor and outdoor classes.

The Arf & Running Program

8 weeks long

Price $132.75 + $17.25 HST = $150.00

This class is for those interested in pursuing agility as a hobby, and for graduates of the Introduction Class who have discovered that agility is for them after all.  Introduction to Agility is NOT a pre-requisite for this class.

This class teaches the ground work for handling skills to both the owner and their dog.  We use body awareness and co-ordination exercises for the dogs, directional foundation work that is similar to that taught in the Puppy Agility classes but is geared to adolescent or mature dogs who have a greater attention span than a puppy does.  Equipment is at its lowest level for safety reasons as foundation training is about mastering skills and concepts in training.  This class is available year round -- indoors and outdoors.

The Over Rover Program

8 weeks long

Price $132.75 + $17.25 HST = $150.00

You will learn more of the handling skills that are needed to direct your dog through sequences of obstacles.  Equipment is at a low or medium level to develop the dog's skills – while still maintaining safety.

Special focus will be given to developing good jumping skills with bend work. Teaching your dog to lift, tuck, turn and land properly in order to be set up properly for the next obstacle.

This class is offered all year with both indoor and outdoor classes.

The FurPetual Motion Program and The Fur In A Blur Program

8 weeks long

Price $132.75 + $17.25 HST = $150.00

For GRADUATES of  " The Over Rover Program "

We offer two different and progressive 8 week courses to help you and your dog take training for agility to trial ready.

These classes focus on how to put obstacles together when working on a course, what approach works best for your dog, and how to set your dog up for success when running agility courses.

Grid work, Lead-Out Pivots, Front and Rear Crosses, Working at a distance, and directionals will be used in each class to develop good timing of commands and how the handler's body language signals the dog to turn, move away or get closer.

These classes are offered all year with both indoor and outdoor classes.

To see what kind of things will be taught in these classes, and the results you can acheive check out our youtube video demonstration:   YOUTUBE LINK

Speed Bumps

8 weeks long

Price $132.75 + $17.25 HST = $150.00

For GRADUATES of   " The Over Rover Program "

This class works specifically on jumping.  Having had horses and competed in horse shows ourselves, we have long realized the similarity between a jumping horse and a jumping dog -- both in success and failure.

Just like horses, dogs need to learn how to jump properly in order for them to both shorten and elongate their stride as they approach a jump, how to turn while in midair, and how to be on the proper lead in order to clear jumps in a pinwheel sequence successfully.

This class is offered year round -- both indoor and outdoor classes.

Novice Level Trialing Class

8 weeks long

Price $132.75 + $17.25 HST = $150.00

It is an on-going class of eight weeks of sessions – with each weekly session working on a different skill.  Designed to help new handlers and new dogs develop their trialing skills.

Each weekly lesson consists of a full agility course that is representative of what a Novice Level Competition agility course would be.  We analyze the course, break it down into sequences, and run the full course.

Handlers can stay in this class until they have received their Novice or Starter Agility title.  This class is offered all year, with both indoor and outdoor classes.

Intermediate / Excellent Level Trialing Class

8 weeks long

Price $132.75 + $17.25 HST = $150.00

Dogs who have received their Novice / Starter Agility title in either CKC or AAC trials, and need more of a challenge.

This is an on-going class of eight week sessions – with each eight week session working on different skills.  Designed to help experienced handlers and competitive dogs develop their trialing skills.  Each weekly lesson consists of handler developing sequences and/or a full agility course typical of what is encountered at agility trials.

Handlers can stay in this class indefinitely.  This class is offered all year with both indoor and outdoor classes. 

At K-9 Academy we train our dogs to work away from us and be able to discriminate between two obstacles close together by using a combination of verbal directional commands and body language signals. Not many people are able to outrun their dogs, and constantly stay ahead of them, in order to direct them around an agility course.

These skills will help our students be able to compete in agility for a lifetime as we all age and our mobility deteriorates. The ability to stand in one spot and direct the dog from a distance is a great asset to even the very young, physically apt students who compete in AAC Gamble.

Please watch this mini video of one of our students (Rebecca) handling her dog Scandal from one stationary spot.  The dog is able to discern between which obstacle to take (green tunnel or dogwalk) on just the directional commands "Go", "Get Out" and "Here".   YOUTUBE LINK

Regional / National Level Specialty Training

8 weeks long

Price $132.75 + $17.25 HST = $150.00

The instructor reserves the right to refuse and excuse anyone from lessons at any time.

Please check the Schedule to find out when our next group of classes start at  Herdabout K-9 Academy.