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FETCH: classes available | what is agility

The Sheboygan Dog Training Club offers Agility classes for the beginner as well as the advanced handler.

Agility classes run for one hour, one day a week for 7 weeks at a cost of $85.00. Classes are seasonal.

For dates and times of our Agility classes, see our class schedule page.

Agility Classes Available at the Sheboygan Dog Training Club

Introduction to Agility I

prereq: basic obedience skills: sit, down, come, etc. No previous agililty experience is required

Teach your dog the foundation skills needed for agility and an introduction to the obstacles in a fun and positive manner

Introduction to Agility II

prereq: completion of an Introduction I class

Continue to work on obstacle proficiency and basic handling skills

Beginners

prereq: completion of an intro I & II class, or approval of director of training

Continue to work on independent obstacle performance and basic handling skills
Start working on short sequences
For the handler whose dog does not work well with distractions, lacks handler focus
Training aids, such as equipment at lowered heights, use of weave pole wires, stride bars, target plates, and baby gates will be used where needed
Good refresher class if you have not been training during the winter months

Pre-Novice

prereq: successful completion of Beginner class and approval of instructor/director; dog must be able to work with distractions

Dogs at this level are working on full height equipment
Work on proofing of independent obstacle performance, refining handling skills, start distance work, obstacle vs handler focus
Working on novice level course sequences

Competition Level Novice/Open

prereq: dogs at this level are ready to complete novice and open level courses; dog must be able to work with distractions; with instructor/director approval

Handlers learn to walk and plan handling for novice/open level courses
Handlers learn more advanced handling techniques, drive and distance work
Proofing of your dogs performance on equipment

Advanced/Master/Instructors Challenges

prereq: for agility instructors and those working at the excellent & masters level; should have a good foundation in the handling skills needed to perform at this level

Class focuses a lot on advanced handling and distance work
Presented with advanced challenges.
Continued proofing of your dogs performance on equipment

What is Agility?

Dog agility is a sport in which a handler is given a set amount of time in which to direct a dog off-leash through an obstacle course. Originally loosely modeled on equestrian stadium jumpers competitions, the sport has evolved its own additional obstacles, scoring systems and performance ideals. Agility made its debut as an entertainment for spectators at the Crufts Dog Show in 1979; it has since become the most rapidly growing dog sport in England, Western Europe and North America. Spectators continue today to get caught up watching the dog and handler's enthusiasm in their athletic race against the clock.

The obstacles used in agility have been designed with both safety and spectator appeal in mind. All jumps have easily displaceable bars so that the dog should not experience injury should he misjudge and take down a jump bar. All obstacles that the dog must physically scale have 'contact' zones painted on the equipment; the contact zones enforce safe training techniques since handlers know that dogs will be faulted unless one or more feet are in the contact zones when ascending/descending these contact obstacles. All contact equipment surfaces are roughened for good traction in both dry and wet weather.

In competition, the obstacles are arranged in various course configurations, always unique from trial to trial, that offer levels of challenges appropriate to the class and experience level of the dogs competing. The handler must direct their dog around the course in the sequence that has been predetermined by the judge. At the entry levels of competitions, courses contain few complications and are more of a test to prove the dog can competently perform the equipment within a reasonable amount of time. As the dog and handler earn their way into successively higher levels, the courses increase in complexity and begin to require split second timing and coordination between the handler and dog in order to accomplish the course within the 'Standard Course Time' (SCT) established by the judge.

The rules are fairly simple; handlers may give an unlimited number of commands or signals to their dogs, but may not touch either the equipment or the dog. Dogs are 'faulted' for actions such as taking down a jump bar, failing to put one or more feet in the safety or contact zone when ascending/descending contact equipment, taking obstacles out of sequence, and running past or stopping before the next obstacle to be performed. Time penalties are additionally assessed against dogs that exceed the SCT.

Dogs compete only against dogs of similar height at the withers within a fixed number of jump height divisions. The number of height divisions and the ranges of dog heights assigned to a height division (and therefore the difficulty factor) differ considerably from organization to organization. Regardless of the organization, the dog with the lowest number of faults and the fastest time wins the class or height division.