Frequently Asked Questions:
What breed can do agility?
All breeds can participate in agility. Pure bred dogs as well as mixed breed dogs are welcome to join. Herding breeds are very successful in agility and are usually seen as the majority of entries at agility trials.
Do I have to have my dog vaccinated before enrolling in classes?
Yes. All dogs will have to be up to date on all vaccinations before entering any classes.
Can I enroll if I just want to have fun with my dog and do not plan on competing?
Yes. Some students will just want to have fun with their dog, while others will want to be more competitive. Dog Agility is a very fun and addictive sport, so don't be surprised if you catch the agility bug and find yourself competing!
What training does my dog need before entering classes?
All dogs entering any classes must be able to perform the following commands OFF LEASH in order to participate: Sit, Down, Stay, Come and be Crate/Pen trained. Dogs will have to be able to be comfortably in a crate while in class is in session. Private lessons are available for dogs that need "Basic" obedience training.
How old does my puppy have to be to enroll in a class?
Dogs must be at least 5 months of age and have all vaccinations.
How old does my dog have to be to enroll in agility classes?
Dogs must be a minimum of 1 year old to enter beginning agility classes.
My dog is older. What age is too old to do agility?
Every breed whether large or small ages at different rates. A thorough evaluation from your vet to determine the dog's health will be required if necessary.
Will my dog be off leash while in class?
All puppy classes and Foundation 1 and 2 classes will be on-leash with the goal of eventually being able to be completely off leash. All other classes will be primarily off-leash.
What training methods do you use?
We use positive reinforcement training methods. A motivated dog is happy and wants to learn. By reinforcing a positive training technique, it enables the dog to experience a happy learning experience.
Can I enroll my dog in class and have other family members train the dog as well as me?
No. Only one handler may work with the dog throughout the entire training sessions. Multiple family members handling the dog creates confusion for both the dog and handler when trying to learn the various commands. It is better for just one person to train the dog at a time.
Can I enroll two of my dogs in a class?
Puppy and Foundation classes - you must have another person handle the second dog. It would be better to enroll your second dog in a different class so that you can provide specialized attention to the dog you are training.
Advanced and Master's level classes - Once each of the dogs have shown proficiency in agility then you will be able to run both of your dogs in the same class.
Do you allow children to handle a dog in class?
The minimum age for people attending class is 18 years old.
Can I bring family members or friends to watch me train?
Covid-19 - Due to the recent Coronavirus outbreak we are taking every precaution to follow the social distancing guidelines. Classes are now limited in size. We are not allowing any students to bring friends or family members to class at this time. This helps us keep the limit of people attending classes to a minimum.
My dog can be nervous sometimes and may display some aggression. Can I still enroll in a class?
NO! Any dog that shows any aggression toward a human or another dog is not allowed on the premises and will be asked to leave immediately! It is not fair to other dogs and handlers in class.
Other questions?
