GAME ON
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Starter Agility~Starter Agility II~FUNdamentals of Agility Handling |
Thank you www.tedsphotoreflex.com and John Mulders for the photos.
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.
Listed below is our upcoming class schedule
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. There are no refunds if a class is marked as “FULL” or once the class has begun.
Class dates are subject to change, please contact DebbyQ 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 and for the safety of the dogs and students, we reserve the right to cancel classes when raining/misting or temperatures are excessively hot or cold. Please check announcements on the left hand column of the website or if you have questions Please EMAIL Us to check on class status.
Thank you John Mulders for the AWESOME photo.
Please review the prerequisites identified for a class before enrolling. 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 in Agility classes, 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. There are no partial fee refunds.
The goals of the Starter Agility series (2 6-week classes) are:
1. To introduce and teach your dog to perform the various obstacles
2. To have a dog that will perform 4-12 weaves poles
3. To have consistent contact behavior with some light proofing
4. Teach your dog flatwork skills (working on your left and right side.)
5. Improve or enhance play and tug skills as well as other ways to reinforce during training.
Additionally we will continue to develop skills that are needed to be successful in Agility such as a reliable recall, self-control and the dog remaining calm and focused while others are performing exercises.
Game On! Focus, Games, Focus – This class will significantly enhance your performance career with your dog. You will learn games to increase your dog’s enthusiasm to work, build and maintain focus, and decrease reactions to distractions. We will introduce many great games for teaching your dog to play and tug. Games teach your dog to become a highly focused, confident, motivated, controlled and driven partner. This is a great class for any puppy or young dog just starting their performance career in any venue!
Items to bring to class: Training treats that will be visible on the grass field. A crate each week to ensure that all dogs are safe and secure during class discussions.
Home Training time:
Classes cost $145 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week.
Register online or if you have questions Please EMAIL Us.
Game On!
Monday Feb 2021 (pending weather) @ 7:00 p.m. Instructors Karol Woodward and Kathy Brady
Stop that DOG! Awesome Contacts and Start Lines – This class will focus on the end position behavior of stopped contacts and start line stays. These skills go hand in hand and must be maintained throughout your dog’s agility career. You will learn how to teach a strong stopped contact behavior using a travel plank and how to build a solid start line stay. The skills taught in this class are essential for young dogs just beginning their agility career and may help clarify criteria for dogs already competing. Items to bring to class: Training treats that will be visible on the grass field. A crate each week to ensure that all dogs are safe and secure during class discussions. Game On as a prerequisite.
Home Training time:
Classes cost $145 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week. Register online or if you have questions Please EMAIL Us.
Stop that Dog!!
Monday March 2021 @ 7:00 p.m. Instructors Karol Woodward and Kathy Brady
Starter Agility – This 6 weeks class will introduce your dog to all agility obstacles, provide methods to teach your dog a reliable contact behavior, weave pole behavior, and beginning handling skills. The methods used in this class provide ways for you to work on many skills at home with minimal space and equipment. While many skills are done on leash during the first 6-week class, the leash cannot always be held by the owner. In both classes, dogs need to stay with the owner without being controlled by the leash and must be able to work reliably off-lead during the second class. To be successful, dogs need to have a reliable sit stay and recall. Home equipment you may want to have: Students in this class will need to have two sets of 2×2 weave poles to work at home. (We have these available for students to buy or rent). In addition, it is recommended that students have at least one jump at home, and a board that can be used to train contact behavior. Specifications for the board will be distributed to students enrolled. Stop That Dog as a prerequisite
Items to bring to class: Training treats that will be visible on the grass field. A crate each week to ensure that all dogs are safe and secure during class discussions.
Home Training time: Students will need to work on 2×2, Board work and Flat-work Foundations 5-10 minutes 4-5 times per week.
Classes cost $145 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week. Register online or if you have questions Please EMAIL Us.
Starter Agility
Monday May 2021 @ 7:00 p.m. Instructors Karol Woodward and Kathy Brady
Starter Agility II – Do you want dynamite fast weaves? Contact behavior that is fast and independent? This is the class for you. This class will finish up your training from the STARTERS AGILITY class. Using the 2×2 weave pole method, dogs learn to drive through the poles, proper entries and exits, and independence from the very beginning. Contact behavior will be taught in such a manner that you can teach the skill at home building drive and independence each step of the way. It is the start to a fabulous finish when it comes to contacts and weaves. (running contact work on an individual basis or per student demands)
Items to bring to class: Training treats that will be visible on the grass field. A crate each week to ensure that all dogs are safe and secure during class discussions.
Home Training time: Students will need to work on 2X2, Board work and Flat-work Foundations 5-10 minutes 4-5 times per week.Classes cost $145 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week.
Prerequisite: Starter Agility class
NOTE: Dog’s with former agility experience may request an evaluation to place out of this class.Register online or if you have questions Please EMAIL Us.
Starter Agility II
Monday July 2021 @ 7:00 p.m. Instructors Karol Woodward and Kathy Brady
FUNdamentals of agility handling – This class teaches you the handling skills and drills (front cross, rear cross, pole turns, lateral distance, etc.) and your dog the mechanics of jumping in extension/collection, maintaining obstacle focus, driving ahead of you through a line of jumps, etc. These handling and jumping skills are taught and practiced at home using only 1 or 2 jumps. You and your dog will be able to practice and perfect many different handling and jumping skills. To effectively and efficiently run agility courses, teams need to become proficient in the different handling skills and the dogs must know how to properly navigate jumps.
Home Equipment for this class: Ideally student will have 2 wingless bar jumps for home training. If you don’t have room for 2 jumps, most skills can be practiced with only one.
Required training time at home: 5-10 minutes 3-4 times each week to practice the various jumping skills covered in class.Classes cost $145 and run for 6 weeks for one hour each week. Fundamentals of Agility class is a prerequisite. NOTE: Dog’s with former agility experience may request an evaluation to place out of this class. Starters II is a prerequisite
Register online or if you have questions Please EMAIL Us.
FUNdamentals of Agility Handling
Monday August 2021 @ 7:00 pm Instructors Karol Woodward and Kathy Brady