Agility Training
- Bring poo-bags and please pick up after your dog(s)
- Leave your dog(s) in the car until the session is ready to start
- Arrive promptly, and be prepared to set up or pack away equipment accordingly
- Ensure your dog is on a lead when you are not working on the equipment
- Please be considerate of other dogs and handlers; don't let your dog bark continuously or cause unwanted distractions
- No unsupervised practising on the equipment unless you have been given prior permission (warm-ups are important but this should be done on the flat!)
- We do expect all dogs to have a good level of basic obedience and be reasonably well socialised. Aggressive or overly disruptive dogs may be asked to leave.
Progression from each group is based on the individual team rather than the group as a whole. Every dog and handler works and progresses differently! When we feel you are ready to move on, you will be invited to join the next group.
Our Tuesday night training time is split into three seperate sessions.
Foundation Agility Skills
This session runs from 7:30 - 8:00pm.
The Foundation Agility Skills course will emphasise building focus and motivation for agility, as well as looking at some of the basic skills needed for future agility success. Handlers and dogs will learn about reward and motivation, working through distractions, body awareness, and reading body language on the flat, as well as focussing on teaching simple agility-based behaviours. We call these skills Foundation, Flatwork, or Obedience-for-Agility; there is very little use of equipment within this class.
Basic jump work will be introduced, primarily based on Susan Salo's methods, and we will discuss the various options for contact training. All exercises will be age appropriate to the individual dogs.
Dogs should be over 6 months old, have a basic level of obedience (including a good recall) and be friendly around other dogs. All breeds and sizes welcome. Previous handler experience in agility would be ideal, but not required. (Whilst this class is aimed at puppies between 6-12months, it is more than appropriate for older dogs with no previous agility experience and we ask all prospective new handlers to begin in this class.)
Group One: Pre-Competition
This session runs from 8:00 - 9:00pm.
Handlers and dogs build the Foundation Skills, and dogs begin developing the skills for fast, independent and accurate completion of all obstacles. Handlers focus on consistent and clear cues, and begin to work on basic common sequences of obstacles.
Group Two
This session runs from 8:00 - 9:00pm.
The training in this group is mainly focussed on sequencing, positioning, and timing, as well as developing the best way of working for both dog and handler. Handlers are encouraged to develop course walking skills, and to learn where different handling options may suit different dogs. We look at sequences and sections from competition course plans, and encourage everyone in this group to work to a strong competitive standard.
Group Three
This session runs from 9:00 - 10:00pm.
This group works on a more informal basis, as the group trains itself, with the different experienced handlers within the group taking the lead on course design and instruction each week. The group considers a full agility course at least once a month, but also spends time working on shorter sequences and exercises.
If you can't make your normal or assigned session, please let us know and we'll do our best to accomodate you elsewhere.
One-to-One Sessions
We offer 40 minute one-to-one sessions on Sunday mornings or during the week. You can book individually or for a group of 2-3 dogs. You do not have to be a member of All Four Paws to book a session but we would recommend having some agility experience before booking a session . Please contact us or speak to us at training for further information.
Taster Sessions
We occasionally hold Taster Evenings for anyone interested in learning competitive agility with us at All Four Paws. Please click here for more information.