DogPACT Agility Training

Agility Training

This is a unique and increasingly popular game where both human and dog participate. With the human half of the team directing the show, the canine half jumps over hurdles, balances a teeter-totter, climbs an A-frame and a dogwalk, runs through tunnels, and jumps through hoops.

We offer both private and group agility training. Our focus is on team building and fun, whether you choose to compete or not. We specialize in taking a “behavioral approach” to agility training. That means that we use our extensive understanding of how dogs learn and apply that to the training of agility.

When/Where

Group agility classes are held in South Whittier: 10765 Inez, Whittier, 90605 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Foundation Skills classes are held in Long Beach. Private sessions are held in Whittier and Long Beach.

Agility Programs

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)

If you need to brush up on these skills before enrolling in the FSPT classes, please contact us regarding private training.

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.)

Instructor: Terry Long or Nikki Myers
4 weeks, 50-minute class, $85.00
Click here for more info

Foundation Skills for the Performance Team Level II

This group class focuses on additional foundation skills for agility training. 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 covers:

• advanced crate games
• advanced shadow handling
• independent performance of contacts behavior on the travel plank and contact trainer
• additional wobbly board work and “Bang It!” games on the teeter
• the rear cross for change of side/direction
• single-jump exercises
• advanced start line stays and lead outs
• increased distance work

*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.

Prerequisite:
Foundation Skills, Level 1, or the permission of the instructor.
Note: 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)

If you need to brush up on these skills before enrolling in the FSPT classes, please contact us regarding private training.

Instructor: Terry Long or Nikki Myers
4 weeks, 50-minute class, $85.00

Click here for more info

Group Agility Classes

Novice: Thursdays, 6:30pm

Prerequisites include:

• one- to two-obstacle lead-outs and lead-out pivots
• familiarity/confidence with all obstacles
• all contacts at full height
• a full set of 12 weave poles.
• basic serpentines, threadles, 270s, 180s, and pinwheels
• basic front crosses and rear crosses
• 8-10 obstacles in a sequence, basic complexity

Intermediate I: Tuesdays, 6:30pm

Prerequisites include:

• two- to three-obstacle lead-outs and lead-out pivots all contacts at full height, independent of the handler
• independent contacts w/basic distractions
• a full set of 12 weave poles, independent of the handler, basic entries
• independent serpentines, threadles, 270s, 180s, and pinwheels
• proficient front crosses and rear crosses
• 10-16 obstacles in a sequence, moderate complexity
• Competing at the Novice or Intermediate level

Intermediate II: Tuesdays, 8:00pm

Prerequisites include:

• two- to three-obstacle lead-outs and lead-out pivots
• independent contacts w/advanced distractions
• a full set of 12 weave poles, independent of the handler, advanced entries
• independent serpentines, threadles, 270s, 180s, and pinwheels
• proficient front crosses and rear crosses
• 12-18 obstacles in a sequence, intermediate complexity
• Competing at an Intermediate level

Advanced: Thursdays, 8:00pm

Prerequisites include:

• complex lead-outs and lead-out pivots
• independent contacts w/advanced distractions
• a full set of 12 weave poles, independent of the handler, advanced entries
• independent serpentines, threadles, 270s, 180s, and pinwheels
• proficient front crosses and rear crosses
• 14-22 obstacles in a sequence, advanced complexity
• Competing at the Masters or Excellent

Instructor(s): Terry Long, Nikki Myers
8 weeks, 60-minute class, $130.00
Whittier location
Contact us for the class schedule and to inquire about availability

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.

Private Agility Classes

Private agility lessons are tailored to meet individual student's training goals and their dog's capabilities, from foundation skills through advanced handling. Semi-private lessons are also available should you choose to train with a friend. Contact us for more information regarding your needs or scheduling a lesson. For new students, the first session is a minimum of one hour long so that the instructor can discuss your needs and identify priorities, as well as provide adequate training time. Subsequent lessons may be one half-hour or one hour. All semi-privates are a minimum of one hour.

Instructor: Terry Long or Nikki Myers
1/2-hour : $40.00
1-hour: $80.00
Whittier and Long Beach locations
Contact us for more information

What Our Students Say About Us

For links to a variety of agility-related Web site, see our Resources pages.