Agile Canines  Dog Agility Classes

All Foundation and Beginning Classes are limited in size to 4-6 students per class. Progression to the next level is based on student skill level and assessment by the instructor.  Progression depends on how much practice is done between the weekly classes.  It is recommended that beginning students plan to practice at least 2-3 times a week between classes.

Sports Foundations

For puppies and dogs new to training we recommend starting with the "Sports Foundation" classes.  This curriculum has been developed by Annelise at Agile Canines and is taught by Jane Fallander through "A Great Dog Now."  The classes are offered at the same location as the agility classes.  This curriculum is designed to help students develop clicker/shaping skills for training behaviors, learn to play games that enhance the team's performance for agility such as crate games, targeting (sends), recalls and to learn skills to help with everyday life such as loose leash walking, stays, dog management and socialization.  This class is a pre-requisite for Agility Foundations.  For schedule and pricing information go to www.agreatdognow.com.  

Agility Foundations

This class is offered quarterly and "Sports Foundations" is a pre-requisite.  It is an ongoing class.  In this class students learn how to do front and rear crosses with cones and hoops;  how to do recalls, sends and collection exercises with hoops and jumps;  how to start training contact performance and how to introduce distance training.   This class is offered in blocks of six classes for $100.  Pre-requisite is the "Sports Foundation" class or permission of instructor.  Instructor: Annelise Allan.  Next session to be offered Spring 2012.  Most classes are offered on Mondays.  Class size is limited.  For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Beginning Agility

This class is ongoing.  In this class students are introduced to sequencing obstacles, are doing the dogwalk, teeter and aframe, and improving weave pole skills as well as increasing their distance training skills.  Exercise to proof understanding of performance and to increase speed are done at this level.  Agility Foundations or permission of instructor is required.  This class is offered on Mondays and Thursdays.  Classes are sold in blocks of 6 for $100.  Instructor is Annelise Allan.   For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Intermediate  Agility

This class is ongoing.  Students are doing sequences of 10-14 obstacles, full height contacts, 12 weaves and are focusing on timing of cues, front crosses, rear crosses, distance handling, obstacle discrimination and course analysis.  This class is offered on Thursdays and Wednesdays.  Beginning Agility class or permission of instructor is required.  Classes are sold in blocks of 6 for $100.  Instructor is Annelise Allan.   For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Advanced Handling Skills

These classes are ongoing.  Students in these classes are currently competing in the upper levels.  Sequences and courses are presented with various handling challenges and represent upper levels of agility competition.  Differen handling strategies are discussed and taught and handling skills are the main focus of these classes.  These classes are offered Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning and evening and Thursday afternoon.  Classes are sold in blocks of 6 for $100.  Instructor is Annelise Allan.   For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Just Jumpin'

This class focuses on handling and distance skills on jumpers courses.  Jumpers courses provide an excellent place to practice handling skills because the dogs are moving at a faster rate of speed.  A dog's jumping skills can also be addressed in this class.  This class is offered on Thursdays at 8:00 pm.  Classes are sold in blocks of 6 for $100. Instructor is Annelise Allan.   For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Masters Agility Class

This class focuses on technical handling skills found on FCI, UKI and International style competitions.  Occasionally the class will focus on Elite/Masters level distance handling.  Dogs and handlers need to be experienced and competing at the upper levels and wanting to test and push their handling skills.  This class is offered on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm.  Instructor permission required. Classes are sold in blocks of 6 for $100.  Instructor is Annelise Allan.  For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Friday Night Mini Seminars

These are offered on a quarterly basis.

Introduction to Distance Training

This class teaches students how to introduce the concepts of "go" or send away and the concept of "out" or lateral distance cue to the dogs.  The initial steps in this training are demonstrated and discussed.  The concepts are taught at first away from formal agility equipment and then gradually applied to agility equipment.     Instructor is Annelise Allan.   For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Advanced Distance Handling and Training

Students will work on handling various sequences using distance skills.  This is open to dogs and handler teams who are able to send their dog ahead and laterally at least 10 feet.  Topics will include obstacle discrimination, turn aways, lateral distance and independent obstacle performance.   Instructor is Annelise Allan.   For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Winning Weaves!

Students will work on improving weave pole performance by working on a variety of weave entrances and exits and by improving overall speed in the poles with various proofing exercises.    Instructor is Annelise Allan.   For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Consistent Contacts!

Students will work on improving contact performance whether it is a running contact or a stop.  The focus will be on improving speed and accuracy using a variety of proofing exercises.   Instructor is Annelise Allan.   For information contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Other Classes offered at Agile Canines!

Preparation for Competitive Novice Obedience Using Fun and Games

This class is offered to help prepare students train heeling, stays, recalls, stands in a fun manner that incorporates "games" for the dogs.  It is designed to make obedience training fun as well as prepare the dogs for the speed and accuracy desired.   The class is taught by Patty Fulton and offered Wednesdays at 6:15 pm. To register contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Problem Solving and Polishing the Competitive Obedience Team

This class is designed for an experienced dog and handler team who wants to improve their competitive performance, to work through a problem they are having in training and/or to fine tune their existing performance.  The solutions will focus on fun games to make obedience fun for the team as well as to improve precision.  The class is taught by Patty Fulton and offered Wednesdays at 5:00pm.  To register contact Annelise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .