Agility FAQAre you interested in trying out agility? A few common questions answered!
1. "Does my dog need to have obedience before starting agility?" No, when you start out in Foundation we cover everything you need to be successful in agility. While previous training will give you a leg up in classes, no previous training on the dog or handler is required. In fact, a lot of our Foundation training involves teaching your dog to get EXCITED, then we add in rules into the game later once we have a dog that loves to play with us. 2. "Do I need to be able to run to do agility?" Many handlers in agility are physically limited in some way, but that doesn't mean you can't do agility. Even if you can't move very fast, your dog can! We will look at teaching the dog to respond to cues at a distance, so you don't have to physically be there. 3. "How much training will I need to do at home, can it all be taught it in class?" Agility is fun because there is a lot to it, there is training the dog to do their job on the equipment as well as respond to your handling cues, and then teaching the handler how to move through a course effectively as well. To progress in agility you will need to work at home as well as classes - it is a time commitment! (But so worth it!) 4. "Do I need to have all the agility equipment at home?" While having a full set of agility equipment at home would certainly be nice, most people do not have access to that. However, a large part of agility can be trained at home using flatwork and easy to build training equipment. Practice barns are also available for rent in our area. BAA students can also rent the Bright Arena in Hopewell for weekly practice. 5. "What if I don't want to compete?" Agility training is the same whether you plan to compete or not, many students choose not to compete for a variety of reasons, but still very much enjoying challenging themselves against courses in class. Competing can be fun, but the goal of classes is to develop you and your dog into a successful team, no matter what your goals. 6. "My dog isn't a border collie/sheltie/poodle, can they still do agility?" Any breed or mix of dog can be extremely successful in agility. Just because you don't have a 'traditional' agility breed is no reason to think they won't excel. No matter the breed or age of dog, agility is a fun sport for all. Your dog doesn't need to be able jump high in order to be a great agility dog, jump height is not what makes agility challenging, it's getting through the course. |
Heather's Classes
Classes are offered in Hopewell, OR (and very limited classes in Sherwood, OR) under cover in an enclosed dirt arena. Class sizes are small and supportive. Most classes are full and new classes are usually formed by a waiting list. If you're interested in a class, contact Heather to be put on the list. Unfortunately, new Foundation classes don't happen very often, but contact Heather to be on the list or to be referred to other trainers in the area that may have something sooner.
A brief description of the levels is below, however every class is tailored to the students' needs: FOUNDATION: Focus is on relationship, play, problem solving, finding your dog's best rewards, groundwork, tricks, body awareness, impulse control and building enthusiasm and teamwork BEGINNING: Building on the skills introduced in Foundation, introducing obstacles, developing sends and commitment and introducing sequencing INTERMEDIATE: Refining obstacle performance, proofing weavepoles and contacts, more complex sequences and skills COMPETITION: For dogs that are fluent with all obstacles, have commitment and sequencing skills and focusing on challenging courses, skills and proofing (dogs are not required to be actively competing to be in this class) INTERNATIONAL: Challenging international style courses focusing on developing independent skills to get through complex courses including backsides, threadles, bypasses, serpentines and wraps (for dogs that already have international skills) |
Current Schedule
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
Hopewell, OR |
Hopewell, OR |
Sherwood, OR |
Hopewell, OR |
9am: Competition (FULL) |
9am: Competition (FULL) |
9am: Competition (FULL) |
9am: Intermediate (FULL) |
10:30am: Competition (FULL) |
10am: Intermediate (FULL) |
10am: Competition (FULL) |
10:30am: Competition (FULL) |
12pm: International (FULL) |
11:30am: Competition (FULL) |
11:30am: Competition (FULL) |
12pm: Competition (FULL) |
1:30pm: International (FULL) |
1pm: Beginning (FULL) |
1pm: Competition (FULL) |
1:30pm: Competition (FULL) |
3pm: Beginning (FULL) |
2:30pm: Intermediate (FULL) |
3pm: Beginning (FULL) |
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6pm: Competition (FULL) |
6:00pm: Competition (FULL) |
6pm: Beginning (FULL) |
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7:30pm: International (FULL) |
