In addition to having
fun, Contact Zonies' goals are to help students understand what they are being
taught and how the skills will be used. We encourage all students to work
with their dog at home setting up situations where they and their dog can
reinforce skills learned in class.
All dogs and handlers
will start at the beginner level unless they are evaluated by the training
director and/or her designee to participate at a different level. Dogs and
handlers will be evaluated against the goals for each of the Contact Zonies'
classes as specified in this document. The dog and handler will then be
placed in a class appropriate for their performance level. Placement in class
depends also upon size of registrants and number of teachers able to teach.
Teachers are volunteers and time constraints can be a challenge during the
course of a training season.
Safety is of utmost
importance to us and instructors are directed to maintain it. Class procedure
dictates that If at anytime an instructor directs you and you dog, please
listen, they are trying to keep a group of highly aroused and excited dogs
under control and not get in each other's face to cause a problem or altercation.
Please be mindful of your instructor's directions.
Classes meet in the northeast valley and run from September through May.
Beginning and Novice I classes run 16 weeks, all others run 8 week intervals. Class time varies depending upon
the level of the dog and handler. Each class level has a teacher(s) assigned to handle curriculum. You may
discuss any issue with them, your teacher or the training director. We want your experience to be a good one.
See calendar for details.
Beginners
Class
The beginner class is designed for dogs who have had no training in agility
or have had some training but cannot meet the goals for the higher level classes. Generally a student who has
attended the entire beginners class and has practiced will have no trouble meeting the requirements to move to
the next level of training.
By the ninth week of classes, dogs are expected
to perform some basic obedience tasks. If the dog cannot, the handler may
be asked to leave the session. This is left to the discretion of the instructor
and the training director. Teams who cannot perform these tasks disrupt and
impede the progress of the other students and dogs and this is not fair. If
the handler and dog work on their problems they will be re-evaluated and may
join the next beginner class. Refunds for class tuition will be addressed
on a case by case basis.
At
the end of nine weeks of training dog and handler need to perform:
- Hold a sit
stay for 30 seconds with the handler nearby
- Hold a down
stay for 1 minute with the handler nearby
- Perform a recall
at 10 to 20 feet (dog may be held by instructor)
- Walk on leash
without lunging at other dogs or people
- Demonstrate
attention to their handler when working
- Handler and
dog enjoy what they are doing together
In addition
by the end of the 16 weeks session dogs are expected
to understand and perform the following tasks:
- Sit stay with
handler at 10 feet
- Down stay with
handler at 10 feet
- Focused recall
from 20 feet
- Ability to
target a treat bag or target
- Able to perform
contacts safely and keep their head down
- Work weave
poles with 2 poles consistently finding the entrance and run an open 12
channel set of poles
- Perform straight
tunnels and curved tunnels finding tunnel entrance
- Complete the
chute closed or only slightly open
- Able to perform
3 jumps in a jump chute and dog understands they are supposed to jump the
jumps in front of them (with or without target)
- Handler manages
dog safely for self and others
- Handler demonstrates
they have the ability to maintain control of their dog and their dog's attention
- Handler should
react to their dog when needed and when directed by an instructor
- Handler must
exhibit active listening while instructor is teaching and when working dog
Novice
I Class
Novice I class is designed for dog and handler
teams who have completed the beginners class. It is a good idea at this point
that students have their own set of at least 6 weave poles and a practice
jump for home practice. 5 to 6 obstacle sequences will be included in later
sessions of this class. This training plans for this class include beginning
distance work, contact vision understanding and working toward that vision,
working 12 channel weaves, cross in fronts and control of the dog and handler
team and how and when to reward.
At
the end of this 16 week class to graduate your dog must be able to:
- Sit,
stay for 1 minute with handler 30 feet away and an obstacle in between
- Down,
stay for 3 minutes with handler 30 feet away
- Recall
from 50 feet with distractions
- Should
be able to perform the entire dog walk, A-frame and teeter, hitting all
contacts (may use target) and can work each side and cross at each end
- Needs
to understand weave pole entry, channels are closed or practically closed
and can work each side
- Can find
the tunnel entrance from 10 to 15 feet and at angles whether straight or
curved and handler can cross where needed
- Dog can
complete the collapsed tunnel (also called chute)
- Dog can
navigate the tire obstacle
- Dog can
complete a jump chute and can handle 3 to 5 jump tunnel sequence combinations
- Table
can be found and a sit or down is performed
Novice
II Class
The Novice II class is designed for dogs
and handlers who have completed Beginners and Novice I classes. Novice II
is designed as a 16 week class to solidify skills and increase sequencing,
distance and control from obstacle to obstacle. Mini courses will be part
of the lesson plan. Handler should begin to understand body movement and the
cues that sends to their dog in order to successfully move between obstacles
and navigate a course.
In
order to graduate from this class and move to Advanced, depending upon available
space and teachers, the following should be proficient;
- Sit, stay for
1 minute with handler 30 feet away
- Down, stay
for 3 minutes with handler 30 feet away
- Recall from
50 feet with distractions
- Contacts are
now within set vision and consistent using rewards a little less often
- Handler should
be able to cross behind and in front of contact obstacles
- Teeter contact
is safe and dog is comfortable with performing the teeter
- Dog can find
weave entrance and complete 12 poles with closed channel or almost closed
- Tunnels entrances
are found and can perform curved and straight
- Chute can be
performed safely and confidently
- Tire is completed
through and not around or under from a start line
- Jumps are performed
in sequences and with crosses
- Dog and handler
should be able to navigate wing jumps
- Table is found
at 10 to 15 feet and a down and sit can be performed
- Dog and handler
should be able to perform a beginner/novice course in a class setting
- Dog and handler
team can manage a call off
- Handler can
call a turn to dog during a sequence
- Dogs should
understand switch/rear crosses between obstacles
Advanced I
Class
Advanced I class is for dogs who have completed Beginners, Novice I and Novice II classes.
Advanced classes may be repeated and this is normal. At this level, courses will be run and sequencing is
involved in most exercises. Leaning how and when to reward your dog and both of you have fun will be a main focus in these classes.
.
Advanced
I completion teams should be able to:
- Complete 12
weaves with no channels
- Recall dog
over a jump and redirect to an obstacle
- Dog can now
discriminate obstacles
- Dog is confident
on contacts and handler can now move away 10'
- Dog can send/go
over 2 obstacles ahead of handler
- Dogs should
be able to move out or in to obstacle using handler body and arm movement
- Turns can be
accomplished between obstacles and call off if needed
Advanced II
Class
This class follows Advanced I class and will challenge the dog handler team with exercises and learning
how to navigate a course. Now that your dog understands the obstacles, how to get from one obstacle to the next
one can be a challenge and is preparation for competition.
.
Handling
Class
Handling
class is for dogs and handlers who have competed and likely have beginning level
titles or legs. Teamwork will be the focus in this class as dogs should be proficient
in all of the basic skills in prior classes already completed.
Courses are generally run every other week
with exercises on the off weeks. Instructors help students with the fine points
of navigating courses, new ways to try some approaches and understanding what
works best for each dog and handler team.
Courses used are usually Excellent level courses
to challenge the dog handler team in a class setting. Exercises are designed
to work on specific skills and can be developed as needed. Instructors observe
classes and will adapt exercises to fit current needs.
Competition
Class
This class is designed and restricted for those teams who are competing at top levels. This group meets
immediately after the Handling class and refines handling skills with an instructor. Movement to this class
requires instructor and training director approval.
Class
Location
MELROSE SWIM CLUB
11424 N. 30th St. Phoenix
Take Cholla
West off 32nd. St. to 30th & turn Right. The club will be on the left. (Cholla
is the halfway St. between Shea & Cactus, & there are stop lights at 32nd.
& Cholla)
Classes begin set up at 6:30
and first class is at 6:45. The second class of the evening is at 7:45 and they
handle breakdown of equipment.
Set up requires students to learn and help with set up of
equipment used in class. Teachers are not to be left alone to manage all set
up but rather they train students how to do this with them. Please remember,
teachers are tireless volunteers who without, we would not be able to continue.
Beginner and Novice level classes are required to set up their
crates (required) using the back gate at the far or West side of the training
field. This eases any problems with one classes finishing and the next class
setting up for their allotted time. The black wire crates set up around the
field are for use in time outs during training sessions and not to be used
as crating for students. Crates or ex-pens are required for all level classes.
Dogs tied to a fence or sitting in a chair in a nice stay can be a target
for another dog during the confusion and bustle of activity.
Students who continually help set up are greatly appreciated.
A student who consistently does not set up will be asked why and we may not
be able to continue.
Agility Class Registration
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Interested in STARTING
agility classes with Contact Zonies? Get your name on the WAITING LIST!
Contact Zonies usually has a waiting list for beginners so join now and
get on the wait list so you too can enjoy the rewards of teamwork with
your four-legged friend and creating a bond together in this fun sport.
In the meantime,
join us as a club member and attend club meetings, participate in club
activities and help our trials. There is no better way to learn agility
than to jump in and be a part of it!
Class registration
forms are located on our site and for those that have previously taken
classes, please enroll in your next class so we don't miss you and classes
fill up before you can get on the list. Although there is not a wait list
other than beginners, mid training season can have class size challenges
so don't be late in enrolling. We will give every opportunity to get you
in a class as best we can. If not, you will be at the top of the following
wait list.
If you have
any questions, ask us.
We look forward
to you and your furry friend joining us in the wonderful and addicting
world of agility.
Darcy Rohats
Training Director