Foundation Skills
for the Performance Team - Level I

This group class focuses on developing both human and canine skills necessary to start training for agility. These foundation skills classes prepare students for enrolling in agility classes where focus, drive, and handling skills are key to successful agility training. This class is also an excellent start for other performance sports such as flyball and musical freestyle, as well as an excellent supplement to agility classes that do not teach the art of handling and focus as foundation skills.

Note: Agility equipment is not used in this class; rather, the following foundation skills prepare both handler and dog by covering:

• applying clicker training to agility behaviors, including mechanics and the art of getting behaviors (i.e., shaping, targeting)
• strategic use of reinforcers
• focus and attention between canine and human
• crate games (teaches stay on the start line and release to work)*
• motivation and drive, including toy motivation (builds attention and speed)
• start line stays and lead outs
• hand targeting and shadow handling for directing the dog around a course
• the front cross for changes of side/direction
• flat targeting for contacts (for dogwalk, A-frame, teeter)
• use of wobble boards and travel planks for contacts work
• vertical targeting for distance work
• rear-end awareness

*Dogs must be comfortable being in a crate. “Crate games” are an important part of this class. You will need to bring your crate to each class. If your dog has a phobia about crating, you may choose to bring an exercise pen instead.

Prerequisites:
This is not an obedience class. It is assumed that dogs will have attended prior group classes so that they have experience working around other dogs and that they know:

• Sit/Stay
• Down/Stay
• Come when Called
• Leave It
• Crate Training (and/or Settle on a Mat)

Note regarding location: The location of these classes may change on occasion but are always held in Long Beach. (Once the class starts, the location will not change.)

This class is also available privately. See Private Agility Classes

Instructor: Terry Long
Length of Class: 6 weeks, 50-minute class
Cost of Class: $125.00
Location: Long Beach

Note: There are some dogs for whom group classes are NOT appropriate. These include dogs who are reactive (overly stimulated, barking, lungeing, etc.) and dogs who are aggressive with other dogs or people, or dogs who are extremely fearful.

1. Has your dog ever growled, barked, or lunged at a person, seemingly with the intent of scaring them away or biting them?
2. Has your dog ever growled, barked, or lunged at another dog, seemingly with the intent of scaring them away or biting them?
3. Does your dog get agitated or so overly excited in the presence of other dogs that you "can't get through to him" no matter what you do?
4. Is your dog extremely timid, avoiding people or other dogs, to the point where he struggles to hide and get away?

If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, a group class may not be a good learning environment for your dog.  Please Contact Us if you want help in deciding if a group class is appropriate for your dog.

Enrollment Form