Agility Competition

If you are currently in the Agility monthly classes, please fill out the GOALS sheet. Save a copy for yourself and bring a copy to class.

Listed below is our upcoming class schedule.
We also have a Calendar of all classes available.

Please visit our Class Information Page for more detailed information about classes and policies. Then fill out our On-Line Form to register and we will confirm by email.

Class dates are subject to change, please contact Debby for the latest information. Please take a few minutes to check out the directions on the Facility page to Dogwood before the first night of class and feel free to call for additional directions.

Due to the unpredictability in the Houston weather, we reserve the right to cancel classes when the temperatures are above 100 degrees or below 32 degrees. Please call the Dogwood phone number, 713-849-9115 to check on class status.

Please review the prerequisites identified for a class before enrolling and read the course description for the PREREQUISITE class. If you believe your dog’s current training meets the skills taught in our Basic Obedience Class, you may request a private with a Dogwood instructor to assess proper placement in our classes. The private with a Dogwood instructor is $40 and is payable in advance to the instructor.
Assessments are ONLY available to place out of Basic Obedience. All other pre-req classes must be taken via the Dogwood classes.
Sorry, no refunds can be made after the first class is completed or after the class has been filled.

To be successful in our agility program, dogs need to demonstrate the following skills while in class:

• To remain calm and focused on handler while other teams are performing exercises.
• A reliable recall command with the distraction of other dogs working or playing.
• A reliable sit and down stay.
• Remain with the handler on a loose leash and when off leash.
• Be around other teams without lunging towards other people or dogs.

Starting with the Agility II class, multiple dogs are off leash at the same time so these skills are critical for the dog to be successful in class. A dog that demonstrates aggressive behavior may be asked to leave classes until the behavior can be managed.

Handling system preferences have definitely created some “cliques” in the agility community. It is our wish that everyone can benefit and learn from the system that we’ve developed.
Dogwoods Agility Handling System is based on a variety of turning and handling cues including motion, position, commitment point the dog has to each given obstacle as well as the path we want the dog to travel for the tightest, fastest and most efficient line.

Beginning Agility. This class uses motivational and positive techniques to introduce your dog to each of the obstacles used in agility competition. The class includes training methods and techniques to help you increase your dog’s drive and focus as you continue through the agility program. In addition to learning the agility obstacles, the class will also reinforce the control skills needed to be successful in agility (such as “WITH ME”, come when called, sit and down stay). The class includes flatwork skills to start teaching you and your dog agility handling skills that will be needed in future classes. All exercises in this class are performed on leash. We recommend that large breed dogs be over a year of age before starting agility classes to reduce the risk of growth plate injuries. Student must complete at least 4 classes in order to move to Agility II and have the control skills to work off leash.

Classes cost $135 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Competition and Beyond Basic
Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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AGILITY II . Dogs continue to develop the skills to properly and safely perform each of the obstacles used in agility competition. This class focuses on developing the proper contact behavior for your dog, weave pole proficiency using the 2×2 teaching method, and jumping skills using various exercises that can be practiced at home using a single bar jump. Flatwork exercises will help you and your dog develop timely and accurate handling skills while teaching your dog various body cues and commands. All of the flatwork can be completed at home without any equipment. The class will continue to focus on control, relationship, and rapport to strengthen the dog/handler teamwork. When the dogs perform obstacles in this class, they are off-lead, so the dog must be reliable off-lead when performing the following exercises: Come when called, sit and down stay, and “with me”. Dogwood recommends students continuing with the Beginning Competition classes throughout their agility career. Even if you have started obstacle training on your own or through another school, we generally require that all students take the Dogwood Pre-Requisite classes and start at Beginning Agility so that the students have the same foundation as other students in the Agility II class. Student must complete at least 4 classes in order to move to Agility III.

Classes cost $135 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week.
Prerequisite: Beginning Agility
Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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AGILITY III focuses on perfecting and proofing contact behaviors, games and skills to build drive, and weave poles. Students will teach dogs to go to a crate, stay in the crate until released, and the crate will be used to build drive and motivation for the dog to go quickly away from the handler when sent, come quickly back to the handler when released, and to stay when told. These skills are very important when learning more advanced agility handling skills such as the rear cross, front cross, and lateral distance. Relationship, teamwork, focus and control are critical to success in this class. Dog’s are off lead when performing simple sequences in the Agility III class. Teams which have mastered the control exercises and have developed good teamwork and relationship skills during the prior classes will have the foundation skills needed to be successful in the Agility III class. Dogs in this class must have a reliable, off-lead, come when called, sit and down stay on command. To join the PreNovice agility class upon graduating from the Agility III class, the dog must have a reliable sit and down stay, be comfortable and confident on all agility equipment, perform a set of 4 inline weave poles, drive to, retrieve, and play tug with a toy, have a reliable recall, demonstrate self control not leaving the handler or lunging towards other people or dogs. Student must demonstrate all of the control skills identified above AND complete at least 4 classes in order to move to Pre-Novice Agility.

Classes cost $135 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week.
Prerequisite: Agility II
Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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The Cue to Q! Learn how to Cue your dog on course for a Qualifying run! This high-density class focuses on breaking down the set of cues and sequences that make up any agility course. Sequences ranging from the basic crosses (Front Cross and Rear Cross) to advanced handling moves (Threadles, Serpentines, and 270s) will be broken down to a level suitable for the beginning agility team. However, a focus on the technical aspects of handling will benefit advanced handlers as well. A consistent set of cues is the key to a confident dog; and a confident dog is the key to a speedy performance! Contact obstacles and weaves will not be addressed in this class.

Classes cost $135 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week.
Prerequisite: Agility III

Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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The Pre-Novice Agility class integrates various agility handling skills into small sections of courses teaching the handler and the dog how to gain confidence, accuracy, and speed. We will incorporate the contact obstacles into more complex sequences and add more proofing of contact zones. The class will continue to build on jumping skills, obstacle discrimination, and distance handling skills. More difficult proofing challenges will be introduced with emphasis on teaching the dog that distractions can be rewarding. Continued work on control exercises (“WTH ME”, sit, down, stay, come when called) will also be integrated into the class exercises. When entering this class, students are provided with a list of skills that must be mastered to move to the Novice Agility Class This is an on-going monthly class.

Classes cost $70 per month and are on-going for 50 minutes each week.
Prerequisite: Beginning Agility series
Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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The Novice Agility class will start to prepare you for showing. We cover all the skills you will need to be successful as you start showing your dog in the Novice classes at agility trials. The class covers and works on skills that are needed to be successful in competition such as, stays, coming when called, front and rear crosses, distance handling, jumping skills, proofing contacts and other obstacles, and other useful tools to speed up and get the most out of a performance. This is an on-going monthly class.

Classes cost $70 per month and are on-going for 50 minutes each week.
Prerequisite: Pre-Novice Agility
Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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The Advanced Agility class will continue to prepare you for showing in all agility classes, Novice, Open and Excellent. We cover skills you will need to be successful as well as course management. The class continues to perfect skills that are needed to be successful in competition such as, stays, fast sits and drops, front and rear crosses, distance handling, jumping skills, layering obstacles, proofing contacts and other obstacles, and other useful tools to speed up and get the most out of a performance. This in an on-going monthly class.

Classes cost $70 per month and are on-going for 50 minutes each week.
Prerequisite: Novice Agility
Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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The Masters Agility class will continue to prepare you for showing in advanced agility classes. We cover skills you will need to be successful as well as course analysis and management. The class will include complex sequences found in Excellent and/or World Team level courses designed to build the skills necessary to successfully compete at the highest levels. In the class we will continue to perfect skills that are needed to be successful in advanced agility classes such as, stays, fast sits and drops, front and rear crosses, distance handling, jumping skills, layering obstacles, proofing contacts and other obstacles, and other useful tools to speed up and get the most out of a performance. This is an on-going monthly class.

Classes cost $70 per month and are on-going for 50 minutes each week.
Prerequisite: Advanced Agility
Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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The Practice Day offers all Dogwood Monthly Agility Students an opportunity to come out and practice skills learned in that weeks class and use equipment. Times are 6-8 pm each Wednesday. Please check with Debby for enrollment.

Practice cost $30 per month.
Prerequisite: Pre-Novice, Novice or Advanced Agility student.
Register online or call with questions: (713) 849-9115

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