Smarty Paws Canine Coaching

FIRST NIGHT OF CLASS

1. Dogs must have proof of current vaccinations. Please bring your shot records to the first night of class or mail them before class.
2. Payment is due in full on the first night of class. Payment may be cash, check, or credit card.
3. These classes will be held inside on rubber flooring, please dress comfortably.
4. Please be sure your dog is in good health and fit for this training. If you or your dog has a special need, please let me know, i.e. recovering from injury, surgery, etc. for which we can lower jumps or do controlled exercises instead.  

WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS

1. A buckle collar or quick release collar.
2. A 4 or 6 inch tab lead. If you do not have one, I usually have these for sale at class.
3. A 4 or 6 foot lead.
4. Lots of your dogs favorite treats!!!
5. A favorite training toy (ball, frisbee, squeaky, tug)
6. A hungry dog. Please do not feed your dog at least four hours before class.
7. Please carry a plastic bag with you for clean up. !

NOT ALLOWED

1. Aggressive dogs.
2. Choke or pinch collars.
3. Bitches in season. We can make these classes up if this happens.

• Get Ready for Class at Smarty Paws Canine Coaching (.pdf 14K)

Come with your dog and see what all the fuss is about!! No big financial or time commitment, and NO HOMEWORK!! Your dog will be jumping, climbing and weaving on the first night!

Meets for one hour weekly for two consecutive weeks. This class can be repeated as often as you like.

No prerequisites, no aggressive dogs. Limited to 8 students.

This is an intermediate level class that will be geared more towards those dogs and handlers that are not looking to compete, but enjoy getting out and spending time with friends and running agility.

Dogs must have at least an Intro class to be ready for this class.

The focus of this class will be flowing courses with a few handler challenges, but will not get into rules, or more technical handling moves. Think of it as a "Mommy and me" day out at Agility Class!

This class is open to dogs 12 weeks thru 10 months, and any experience level.
Games will be used to begin to build teamwork between dog and handler. This will be a hands on, busy class in which you will learn the following:

• Basic control foundation:
• Sit, down, stay, both sides and recalls with distractions.
• Intro to clicker work.
• Handler will learn mechanics of handling with and without dog. Handler will learn to be consistent with their handling, thus helping to create confidence in their dog, which will lead to speed later on!!!
• Handler will learn how to build and maintain drive-and get their dog to would like to work even in distracting environments.
• Ground work for agility and body awareness skills will be taught.
• Introduction to low equipment with emphasis on fun, correct and safe execution.
   

This class is open to dogs 10 months and older. The focus of this class is for the dog and handler to learn each obstacle in a safe and positive manner. The key is to build confidence, which will later lead to speed and consistency from the dog. All of the contact equipment is fully adjustable, and new dogs learn on lowered equipment and gradually increase to full height.

Lots of treats are used as well as toys to reward dogs while they learn and to keep them motivated.
Basic handling skills are learned as we begin short sequences.

No pinch, choke or electronic collars are used, and no corrections are needed!!!

This is a fun class for dog and handler to bond while learning new skills, building confidence and giving the dog a job to do!!!

Graduation consists of Agility games and prizes.

Prerequisites for Intro to Agility Class:

• Walk on leash, sit, down, recall with distractions.
• Know what motivates your dog, toys, treats ,etc.
• If you are unsure of your dog’s abilities, a private evaluation may be scheduled.
• You may also enroll your dog in our Starting Off Right or Basic Obedience class before enrolling in Intro to Agility.

This is an Introduction to Agility Class open to dog and handler teams that have completed our Starting Off Right Class, regardless of age.

Dog and handler teams continue to learn body cues for agility, and learn short sequences.

Foundation agility skills are continued at this level.

A class for dog and handler teams that have already completed at least one Novice Prep Agility class or equivalent. Dogs must be able to do all equipment, incuding 6 weaves.

This class will focus on particular course skills and how to handle them, and use them in course work. Detailed focus on serpentines, threadles, discriminations, etc.

Refine your handling skills to be successful on any course you come across!

This class picks up where the intro class leaves off. Dog and handler teams are now performing short sequences of obstacles, off leash, with the handler using verbal and body cues to direct the dog. The focus is on building consistent body cues and to prevent bad habits from forming on the part of the dog and/or handler.

Contact obstacles increase to full height in this class.

Control exercises are also used in class to continue working on our dogs sit, down, stay and recall command in a distracting and exciting environment.

Games are involved to sharpen our dog’s response time and keep learning fun.

Graduation consists of Agility games and prizes.

Prerequisites for Intermediate Agility Class:

• Dog must have completed an Intro to Agility class at Smartypaws or other training facility.
• Dog should be comfortable on all equipment, be able to stay with handler off leash and have a good recall with distractions.
• The dog will still be learning the weave poles and the teeter, and contacts will be at less than full height.

This class starts to prepare the dog and handler team to compete in Novice level Agility trials. Handling exercises are used as well as short course sequences to teach the team the maneuvers they will need to negotiate a Novice type course in all venues. Full courses are run several times during the session to test the skills at full speed! Exercises become more challenging as the session progresses, but are always built upon skills already learned. Students are encouraged to train at a higher level than they are planning to compete.

Graduation consists of Agility games and Prizes.

Prerequisites for Novice Prep Agility Class:

• Dog and handler will have completed at least one Intermediate class or have been evaluated in a private lesson.
• Dog will be comfortable on full height contact equipment, including the teeter.
• Dog and handler are able to do six straight weave poles.

Advanced Handling will be presented to the dog and handler team. Handlers now learn to walk and navigate a course using their own plan according to their dogs running style. Course problem solving is a highlight at this level.

Discriminations, independent weave poles, and independent contacts are skills we polish at this level. Graduation includes agility games to mimic ourselves under the pressure of a trial.

Dog and handler will be invited into this class level based on experience shown in other classes or private evaluation. This class follows Novice -Prep.

This class is for dog and handler teams who are competing at excellent level or equivalent.

The focus is on handling skills on tricky or difficult course set-ups as found in trialing.

Handlers learn the techniques that work best with their dog’s running style.

Motivation, speed, consistency, and independent obstacle performance are key issues that are continuously evaluated. Exercises in this class are mentally challenging for both dog and handler. Problem solving for those competing is always part of this session.

Prerequisites for Competition Agility Class:

• Dog and Handler will have completed at least one Advanced agility class or have been evaluated in a private lesson.
• Dog and handler will be invited into this class level based on experience shown in other classes or private evaluation.