I’m excited about the classes I’m teaching this winter. These classes will provide wonderful foundation skills for agility dogs and handlers. Here are the descriptions:
FUN, NEW AGILITY CLASSES
Starting Soon!!
Recall to Heel, for agility use.
Four Sundays: 11/22 to 12/13 (snow date: 12/20). 12:30 to 2:00 pm.
Recall to Heel and sequences that use this technique.
Handlers and dogs will be introduced to exercises for collection and turning over a jump using Linda Mecklenberg’s “recall to heel” technique. We’ll start on the flat, then add a jump with the dog approaching from different positions. We’ll then incorporate this very useful skill in sequences, adding speed and complexity as the individual teams progress in their skills. Sequences will include leadouts, serpentines and turns out of tunnels. To get the most out of this class, dogs will need to have a fairly reliable stay in front of a jump.
Sending Ahead for Turning and for Going Straight
Four Sundays: 11/22 to 12/13 (snow date: 12/20), 2:30 to 4:00 pm.
Dogs will learn to run ahead of the handler to jumps, a straight tunnel, and a chute. Handlers will learn to use natural and trained cues to let the dog know whether to turn back to the handler or to run ahead. The natural cues that dogs instinctively understand are motion, location, shoulders and eyes. The trained cues are arms and verbals. Dogs and handlers will learn the different cues for running ahead (as at the end of a course) and for turning back to the handler. To get the most out of this class, dogs should be comfortable jumping (your choice of jump height) and running through tunnels. This class is appropriate for dogs of any age, including puppies.
Each of these classes will run 1 ½ hours for four Sundays and will be limited to six dogs. Cost $126. Please contact Lisa Barrett, 434-2744 or mytmutts@yahoo.com if you want to take either or both classes.
