Lyons offers AKC rules and equipment agility training starting with developing foundation skills to advanced competition levels.
These classes, for both purebred dogs and mixed breed dogs, consist of eight (“8”) weekly sessions. Class registration is required.

LTDTC Agility Class Descriptions

Description:

• Handlers and dogs will build a solid foundation for the sport of dog agility
• Goal is to produce dogs that are confident and happy interacting with agility equipment
• Focus is on the dog/handler connection using treats, toys, and other positive techniques
• Dogs will work one at a time when off leash (in an enclosed area)
• Homework suggestions and explanatory videos will be emailed after each class

Prerequisites:

• Dogs must be at least 6 months old
• Dogs must have completed the Basic I and 2 courses or have the permission of the Director of Training
• Dogs should be somewhat proficient with basic commands (come when called, sit, down, and stay)
• Dogs must be comfortable working around other dogs

Skills:

• Focus
• Attention
• Play (with handler as reinforcement)
• Shaping (build behaviors through a series of small steps and rewards)
• Recall
• Go (run ahead, away from handler)
• Wrap (go around jump standard and return to handler)
• Informal “heeling” (dog on right and left of handler)
• Handler motion cues
• Start-Line Stay
• Side changes (introduce front and rear crosses)
• Jumping (jumps set very low)
• Pre-teeter (accustom dog to various surfaces, noises, and equipment that moves)
• Teeter(introduce low teeter)
• Weaves (2 x 2, channel)
• Targeting (to hand and to teach 2-on 2-off contact behavior)

Don’t forget your health certificate required for all first time dogs! We are unable to accept alternative forms of the health certificate.  Click here to download one.

Health certificates are due to the registrar via email the week before classes start. [email protected]

Agility 1: Beginners (8 Weeks of Agility 1A and 8 Weeks of Agility 1B)

Description:

To introduce dogs and handlers to remaining agility obstacles and handling on course and set the basis for a productive agility future.

Prerequisites:

Completion of Foundations 1 and 2 or instructor approval/ evaluation

Skills:

Set A:

• Simple sequences of 3-5 obstacles without side changes.
• No weaves
• Introduce turns and changes of direction.
• Begin working off-leash

Set B

• Continue 2×2 weave pole work and slowly expand weaves to 6 poles
• Continue 2-on/2-off contact training
• Ability to complete each obstacle consistently.
• Begin working off-leash
• Use of rear and front crosses with jumps and/or tunnels.
• Work on wraps with a single jump
• Introduce pinwheels
• Introduction to building drive
• Work on start lines (sit /stay and running)

Note: All jumps to be set at 2 heights below dogs expected measured height

Don’t forget your health certificate required for all first time dogs! We are unable to accept alternative forms of the health certificate.  Click here to download one.

Health certificates are due to the registrar via email the week before classes start. [email protected]

Agility 2: Novice (several 8 week sessions are needed)

Description:

To develop flexibility, strength and stamina in the dog and teach the handler to better be able to communication with the dog through various handling techniques.

Prerequisite:

• Completion of Agility 1 or similar previous agility experience with evaluation
• Dog must be at least 1 year of age
• Ability to complete all obstacles (except weaves)
• Ability to complete sequences of 3-5 obstacles

Skills:

Set A:

• Sequences of 5-7 obstacles with side changes
• Introduce weaves in obstacles (6 poles)
• Vary start line usage (short lead out, long lead out, running starts)
• Utilize wraps for direction changes
• Continue work off leash

Set B:

• Continue working on skills learned in Agility 1
• Continue building drive
• Continue work off leash
• Introduce handler/dog communication
• Introduce commitment point and timing of cues
• Preliminary serpentine exercises
• Preliminary threadle exercises
• Work on handler and obstacle focus
• Continue to work on front and rear crosses
• Introduction of blind crosses
• Continue working 2-on/2-off contacts
• Introduce 12 weave poles

Note: All jumps to be set at 2 heights below dogs expected measured height

Don’t forget your health certificate required for all first time dogs! We are unable to accept alternative forms of the health certificate.  Click here to download one.

Health certificates are due to the registrar via email the week before classes start. [email protected]

Agility 3: Intermediate (several 8 week sessions are needed)

Description:

To begin working solely off leash on course and to learn to use handling techniques in longer sequences as well as learning intermediate handling techniques.

Prerequisite:

• Completion of Agility 2 or similar previous agility experience with evaluation
• Instructor approval
• Dog’s must be reliably under control of handler on and off leash
• Ability to complete sequences of 5-7 obstacles consistently off leash
• Ability to complete all obstacles consistently off leash
• Ability to successfully complete front, rear, and blind crosses
• Ability to lead out at start line varying distances
• Understanding of handler/dog communication

Skills:

Set A:

• Sequences of 7-9 obstacles with side changes and weave poles (12 poles)
• All work to be done off leash
• Use of front, rear, and blind crosses in sequences
• Work on understanding of commitment and timing of cues
• Introduce concept of handling lines not obstacles
• Work all contacts at full height

Set B:

• Continue working on skills learned in Agility 2
• Work on front, rear, and blind crosses adding distance
• Work on wraps adding distance
• Continue building drive
• Continue work on handler/dog communication
• Continue work on commitment point and timing of cues
• Introduce lateral lead outs
• Work on sending and distance
• Introduce back side sends
• Introduce post turns
• Reinforce handler/dog communication
• Work on body language (running silent)
• Reinforce commitment and timing of cues
• Work on pin wheels
• Work on jump boxes
• Work on serpentines and threadles
• Work on obstacle discrimination
• Work on varying dog strides
• Expand weave entries to 45 degree angles of approach
• Introduce running contacts (optional)

Note: All jumps to be set at 1 height below dogs expected measured height. For dogs that are actively showing, the jumps may be set to full measured height with approval of instructor.

Don’t forget your health certificate required for all first time dogs! We are unable to accept alternative forms of the health certificate.  Click here to download one.

Health certificates are due to the registrar via email the week before classes start. [email protected]

Agility 4: Advanced

Description:

To teach the handler and dog to work together as a team through more advanced course work and handling techniques and to prepare teams for all levels of competition.

Prerequisite:

• Completion of Agility 3 or similar previous agility experience with evaluation
• Instructor approval
• Ability to complete a full course consistently off leash
• Understanding of commitment and timing of cues
• Ability to complete front, rear, and blind crosses in sequences
• Ability to complete wraps with distance in sequences
• Ability to send dog to an obstacle at a distance of at least 5 feet
• Ability to complete a back side send
• Ability to complete serpentines and threadles
• Ability to hold a start line until released

Skills:

Set A:

• Sequences of 7-12 obstacles working advanced handling concepts
• Utilize 12 weave poles
• Work on handling lines instead of obstacles

Set B:

• Continue to build drive
• Continue work on handler/dog communication
• Continue work on commitment point and timing of cues
• Continue working on skills learned in Agility 3
• Learn advanced handling techniques:
  • Ketschker
  • Forced Front Cross
  • German Turns
  • Human Arrow
  • Tandem Turn
  • Japanese Turn
  • Whiskey Cross
  • False Turn
  • Reverse Spin
• Work on speed through serpentines and threadles
• Work on backside threadles
• Expand weave entries to beyond 90 degree angles of approach
• Work on layering
• Work on distance handling
• Work on proofing/distractions in all obstacles
• Work on different start line releases

Don’t forget your health certificate required for all first time dogs! We are unable to accept alternative forms of the health certificate.  Click here to download one.

Health certificates are due to the registrar via email the week before classes start. [email protected]