AGILITY CLASSES

Agility is an exciting sport that you and your dog can participate in together. An agility course consists of jumps, tunnels, ramps, a see-saw, and slalom poles the dog weaves through. To be successful, your dog must complete the obstacles quickly, safely, and in the correct order. The handler's job is to run along side indicating the sequence of obstacles.

There are lots of benefits to doing agility with your dog: It's great exercise plus an opportunity to learn something new together, build your dog's confidence, and practice self control in exciting situations. Most of all, it's just plain fun!

You may choose to do agility just for the fun of it or to prepare for competition. Many handlers start agility with no intention of competing, but then the agility bug bites and they are hooked! For this reason, classes will be taught so that all teams have a solid foundation for competition.

General Information

Classes are held on Sunday and Wednesday mornings in a fully fenced, 100 x 120 playing field on grass. We are halfway between Princeton and New Brunswick, just off Route 27.
Regulation, fully adjustable contact equipment (from MAX 200 and MAD Agility)
All classes are one hour per week for six weeks. Classes are held early spring through late fall.
Cost: $125 for a 6-week class. $50 refundable equipment fee, so that you can practice at home.
Discount for continuing students: $20 discount for students who enroll in three or more agility classes.
Classes are limited to six dogs so that you will receive lots of one on one attention.
All breeds and mixed breeds welcome. Dogs must be healthy, friendly, and have completed a beginner's obedience class. See requirements below.
Please call (732) 940-0208 or email to find out when the next session starts.

Level One: Introduction to Agility
This class is designed for dogs and handlers who are new to agility. Join us and discover what all the fun is about! We will introduce obstacle skills as well as building your dog's desire to work and play with you.

Topics covered:
Running through Tunnels, Hoops, and Chutes
Walking a plank and climbing a low A-frame
Shadow handling--teaching your dog to run with you and go where they are directed
Jumping skills
Introduction to shaping behaviors (clicker training)
Field trip to a local agility trial

This class can and should be repeated until course goals are met. If you are doing agility for the fun and exercise, you are welcome to stay at this level.

Level Two: Pre-Novice
For graduates of Level One. Dogs must be ready to work off leash.

Topics covered:
Jumping at full height (for adult dogs)
Riding a Buja (tippy) board as an introduction to the see-saw
Handling: front and rear crosses
Weave poles
Target training and contact performance

Pre-requisites for all agility classes:

Obedience skills: Your dog must have completed a basic obedience class and should readily sit, lie down, stay for 30 seconds while you are 6 feet away, and come when called when you are in an unfamiliar place. Dogs must also be comfortable hanging out quietly in their crates while waiting their turns. If you need help meeting any of these goals, please send me an email. I'll be glad to provide some suggestions.
Your dog must be physically able to perform the obstacles: Dogs that have physical problems such as hip or elbow displasia, intermittent lameness etc should not do agility. Your dog must also be a good working weight--you must be able to feel their ribs without probing. Please speak to your veterinarian if you have questions about whether agility training is right for your dog. Short nosed breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs will be better off training just during the cooler months as they can easily overheat during the summer.
Age: Young dogs that meet the obedience requirements above are welcome to participate, but will be limited to lower jumps. Small dogs must be 12 months and large breeds must be 16 months before jumping above elbow height, doing closed weave poles, or climbing full height contact obstacles. Senior dogs must have a veterinarian's permission.
Attitude: Your dog must be tolerant of other dogs and people. There will not be any doggy playtime or socialization allowed during class; however, the dogs will be working near each other and at times will be off leash, so they must be tolerant of other dogs. If your dog gets over stimulated watching other dogs run and play, you will need one-on-one help to address this before joining class.

Anne Macaulay, Ph.D. · (732) 940-0208 · E-mail: