Agility Training
(Must be at least 12 months old)
Photo by Sandy Mountain Photography
Classes run for 6 weeks with 1 hour session each week.
Dog agility training is a high-energy, fun sport that provides comprehensive physical exercise, mental stimulation, and enhanced bonding for dogs and owners. It helps manage behavior by burning energy, improves obedience through focus, and builds confidence in nervous or young dogs. It is ideal for all breeds needing mental and physical stimulation.
For dogs to start agility training they will need to have completed a beginner obedience class. Dogs will be occasionally working off leash and will need to have reliable obedience skills.
Training Covers:
Foundation Skills
Obstacle Training
Handling Skills
Training Your Dog In Agility
Training your dog in agility can be a rewarding experience. Seeing your dog gain the confidence to do obstacles that you may have thought they would be unable to do.
Our Agility program starts with our Agility Foundations class that introduces you to agility and starts with some basic skills that will help you and your dog be successful as you begin your agility journey.
Next is the Intro to Agility classes. This is split into two classes. These classes focus on teaching both you and your dog the obstacles that are in agility courses. You will also start with some basic handling skills
After your dog has been trained on all the obstacles, you can start Beginner Agility. This class focuses on putting everything together and working on more handling skills.
You can continue your agility journey working towards getting your dog competition ready or just continuing to train agility for fun with your dog.
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The agility foundations class focus on building essential skills, motivation, and body awareness for dogs before they tackle full-sized equipment. Key areas include focus and attention, body awareness, and basic handling, and basic equipment introductions. Agility Foundations uses platforms, cones, and toys to build drive.
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Must have completed Agility Foundations to start
The first section of Intro to Agility will introduce bar jumps, tunnel, table, tire jump and A-frame. Handlers will also work on basic handling skills.
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Must have completed Into to Agility 1 to start
This next section of Intro to Agility will introduce dog walk, weave poles, see saw, broad jump, and the double and triple jump. Handlers will continue to work on basic handling skills.
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Must have completed Into to Agility 2 to start
Now that dogs have been introduced to all the obstacles, teams will start working on putting it all together. Small sequences, continue working on handling skills and dogs understanding of obstacles.
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Must have completed Beginner Agility to start
Dogs and handlers will continue their training and working as a team. Dogs will continue training to prepare for entry level agility competition. For those that are just looking to have fun with their dogs, teams can continue to train and work together. Teams are not required to be looking to compete with their dogs to continue training in agility.
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Weave Poles: This class focuses on the weave poles obstacle. Whether your dog is just starting out or have a dog that you would like to improve their weaving skills.
Teaching your dog to weave incrementally, increasing your dog’s understanding and ability to weave correctly constantly.
Jump Skills: Dogs that are regularly knocking bars or struggle with more difficult jump concepts, this class focuses on jumping skills. Helping to develop focus, strength, independence, power and commitment to jumps.
EQUIPMENT LIST:
The following list is the equipment necessary for our puppy group class.
Leash
Flat Collar (no training collars)
Treats
Toy (something easy to carry, usually toys with a rope are best)
A copy of your dog’s vaccination records (DHLPP or DAPP (distemper) and Rabies will need to be provided on or by first training session.
Client Reviews
“Erin broke down the weave poles into a clear, step-by-step process that allowed both Diver and me to learn and master them together. She has an impressive depth of dog training knowledge and tailored each exercise to fit both handler and the dog.
Erin also provided helpful at-home follow-up exercises each week for Diver and I to work on, which made it easy to continue building our skills and progress towards mastering of the weave poles and transitions into other obstacles.”
— Dominick M, age 15 and Diver“I’ve know Erin Butler more than 20 years. My dog Mickey and I have been training with Erin for a couple of years, however I have observed her going back to the 4-H days of competing in the dog project.
Both Mickey and I have learned so much in obedience and agility (which is a lot of fun too), he is doing things I never thought he was capable of. I am so impressed with Erin’s training techniques, and her extensive knowledge of the many dog breeds. She knows the dogs capabilities and helps us reach our goals and more.”
— Sam W and Mickey“My daughter Myah and her dog Kailua had such a wonderful experience taking agility classes with Erin. Erin was incredibly patient and understanding especially working with Myah, and made the whole experience positive and encouraging.
Kailua didn’t know how to use weave poles at all when we started, and in just 6 lessons she learned how to do them. It was amazing to see that kind of progress in such a short time.
Erin has been working with kids and training dogs for many years, including through 4H, and she is truly gifted at both. She understands that every dog is different and does a great job adjusting her training to find what works best for each one. She’s also fantastic with kids- supportive, patient and encouraging every step of the way.
We are so grateful for the experience and would highly recommend Erin to anyone looking for knowledgeable, effective and caring trainer!”
— Jenna T