ALL of the pre-agility classes are clicker-based training. It is a positive, reward-based training program
that utilizes a mechanical box-clicker to 'mark' a desired behavior, followed by a valued reward such as a treat or toy.
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| Pre-Agility Classes Offered: |
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Pre-Agility Level 1 (P1)
Pre-Agility Level 2 (P2)
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Pre-Agility Level 1 (P1) |
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Eligibility:
Dogs must be a minimum of 5 months (20 weeks) old AND have received their Rabies, Parvo and Distemper vaccinations. This level presumes your dog knows very little about responding to any commands, however they must be willing to walk with you on collar and leash. Handlers must be 12 years of age or older to participate. No aggressive dogs, please.
What you will learn:
- How to PLAY with your dog (and have FUN!),
- How to establish a great RELATIONSHIP with your dog,
- Proper TIMING of rewards and What is a reward?
- How to have CONTROL without an argument,
- How to use the CLICKER,
- How and when to give a verbal or physical CUE/COMMAND,
- How to EVALUATE your dog's physical condition and weight.
What your dogs will learn:
(NOTE: All of the work done in the Pre-Agility Level 1 class is on-leash.)
- Name Game (the start of teaching recall responsiveness),
- Sit and Down from a verbal cue (won't be a rock solid behavior in six weeks, but a good start!),
- It's Your Choice game (teaches dog to wait for permission to do something),
- Collar grab (allows dog to get comfortable with being 'handled'),
- Sit-Stay (for 30 seconds by handler's side AND for 30 seconds with handler 6 feet in front with mild distractions),
- Come when called from 10-20 feet away (using your 20 foot long-line),
- Go to Mat (this is your intro to teaching an 'on/off' switch to your dog),
- How to use toys for play AND as a reinforcer for your dog,
- Here and Side (teaches dog to walk/jog/run with you on both your Left and Right side),
- AGILITY obstacle skills: Introduction to Tire, Jumps, Table, Tunnel
Every week of class builds on the previous week.
You will be assigned homework to do with your dog during the week between classes. Ideally you will want to spend 10-30 minutes a day playing/training your dog to see good results. 10 minute sessions x 3 times a day works very nicely; or as close as you can get to that.
The progression of classes here at Dallas Dog Sports is: Pre-Agility 1 >>> Pre-Agility 2 >>> Beginner Agility 1 >>> Beginner Agility 2 >>> Novice Agility >>> Intermediate Agility >>> Advanced/Masters Agility.
All classes through Beginner Agility 2 are six weeks in length. Once you have progressed to the Novice Agility level, it will be an ongoing class with monthly fees assessed.
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Pre-Agility Level 2 (P2) |
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Eligibility:
Dogs must be a minimum of 6 months (24 weeks) old AND have received their Rabies, Parvo and Distemper vaccinations. This
level presumes your dog graduated from the Pre-Agility Level 1 class offered at DDS and has a good understanding of the skills described uner "What your dog will learn" as outlined under the P1 description above. Handlers must be 12 years of age or older to participate. No aggressive dogs, please.
If you did not graduate from the Pre-Agility Level 1 class at Dallas Dog Sports, but think you are ready to jump right into Pre-Agility Level 2, you must schedule an assessment with us prior to registering. The assessment will be held at DDS, on the training field, where we will review all the pre-requisite skills (under "What your dogs will learn" in the P1 description above), and make a recommendation based on that assessment. There is a private lesson fee attached to the assessment.
What you will learn:
- Getting the most out of PLAYING with your dog,
- How to infuse FUN in your training with TOYS,
- Building a deeprer CONNECTION to your dog - it's all about the relationship!,
- How to keep your dog FOCUSED on you,
- How to SHAPE complex behaviors using the clicker,
- How to build a behavior incrementally (a strong FOUNDATION is the key).
- STRENGTHEN behaviors by applying random rewards and jackpots,
- What is PROOFING?
What your dogs will learn:
(NOTE: Most of the training done in the P2 class is on-leash, with some exceptions)
- Sit-stay (30 seconds; 15 ft. away; moderate distractions),
- Down-stay on mat (1 minute, 15 ft. away; moderate distractions),
- Verbal sit and down,
- Restrained recalls to a toy (using your 20' long line),
- Come Front Recalls (using your 20' long line),
- Agility turns: Post Turn, Front Cross,
- Ready Steady game (for building drive),
- Circle Work in various patterns with dog on Left and Right,
- Fun with (traffic) Cones (a great tool for teaching sends and turns),
- Send to Mat = OFF switch; Recall off mat = ON switch,
- AGILITY obstacle skills: Intro to Planks, Cones, and more work on Tire, Jumps, Table, Tunnel
Every week of class will build on the previous week. You will be
assigned homework to do with your dog during the week between
classes. Ideally you will want to spend 10-30 minutes a day playing/training with your dog to see good results. 10 minute sessions x 3 times a day works very nicely; or as close as you can get to that.
The progression of classes here at Dallas Dog Sports is: Pre-Agility 1 >>> Pre-Agility 2 >>> Beginner Agility 1 >>> Beginner Agility 2 >>> Novice Agility >>> Intermediate Agility >>> Advanced/Masters Agility.
All classes through Beginner Agility 2 are six weeks in length. Once you have progressed to the Novice Agility level, it will be an ongoing class with monthly fees assessed.
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Class Fees |
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Class fees are listed under the "Class Fees" button from the main menu or click here on
Class Fees
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Registration |
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To register for a class, go to the online registration form.
When you register you have the option of online payment via paypal or credit card,
or you may mail in your payment to Dallas Dog Sports, 2760 Pecan Drive, Wylie, TX 75098 .
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Class Schedule: |
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The Pre-Agility and Beginner Agility classes are the only sessions that
have a start and stop date. All other levels are on-going classes.
Click here to view our current Class Schedule
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