Agility Classes

Agility Classes

Starting on 3/26/08, Mia will be holding classes on Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings. Scott will be holding Introduction to Agility sessions on Sundays beginning on 3/30/08. Please check the calendar for dates and times.

Classes are offered in series of 2, 4 or 6 week sessions. Classes cost $15 each for members, drop in spots are $17 for club members and $20 for non-members. Classes may be limited to 7 or 8 teams with a drop in spot available each week. Check the calendar for dates and times. Email Mia with questions and to sign up: agilemandr@aol.com

Introduction to Agility
Instructor: Scott Savidge
Day & Time: Sundays at 10:00. Setup starts at 9:30.
Class Fee: $90 for a series of six classes. Next series starts June 8, 2008!
This course is for first time handlers and dogs at least six months of age. Each class will introduce one or two new pieces of equipment and focus on safety as the number one priority. Handlers should bring treats and/or a toy for motivating and rewarding their dog. A secure collar and leash must be worn by the dog during these classes. Dogs should not be aggressive towards other dogs or people. Students must finish the six classes in order to participate in club practices and/or to move on to Agility Foundation classes.

Agility Foundation
Instructor: Mia Grant
We will have some more advanced sequence challenges in this class, but also basic things for starting teams. I will be putting more of an emphasis on dogwalk and teeter this time and address training weave entries for our youngsters.

Course Analysis
Instructor: Mia Grant
Same format as workshop, sequences of 14-18 obstacles, if contacts are involved there will be at least two different contacts in the exercise, I may even pull out the table. All types of equipment will be used, so only teams that are competent on all equipment should join.

Agility Games
Instructor: Mia Grant
We will cover a week of Snooker, one week of basic skills for teaching Sends and Gambles, a week of Gamblers and a week of FAST. I will offer different levels of challenges, so varying levels can participate.

Cross Options
Instructor: Mia Grant
This class will take short sequences (no more than 8 obstacles) and look at different handling options. Dogs must be familiar with all equipment.

Startline and Contact Proofing
Instructor: Mia Grant
Just what it sounds like. This class will NOT involve teaching running contacts.

Turning Cues
Instructor: Mia Grant
In the class we mainly use jumps and tunnels and will cover different ways to let your dog know where you're going.


FRIDAYS
9:30 Teams Familiar with All Equipment
11:15 Foundation Skills for starting and green dogs.

Please email or call Mia with questions about the
best class for you and your dog.
 Mia (agilemandr@aol.com) or call at 681-0690

Visity Mia's Blog Site: http://agilityfrk.livejournal.com/ 

Please check the calendar page for the most current class dates!

About Mia Grant

Read Mia's Tip of the Month!

Read the News Press Article
About GVDC Agility Classes!

Rally Obedience & Agility Classes with Anne Swan, CPDT

Rally Classes with Anne
(page updated 4/18//08)

APDT Rally Obedience Seminars on
Saturday, May 3

The cost for the seminars is $20/GVDC members
$25/non-members.
EMail Anne to researve your spot: Zipnkiwi@aol.com

9:30am - 11:00am: Level 3
We will discuss the various exercises in the Level 3 division, including the Bonus Exercises.  We will practice the signs and skills needed for this division, and work a course that includes Level 3 exercises, all off-leash.  Please arrive at 9:00am for help with set-up.

11:15am - 12:30pm: Level 2
We will discuss the exercises that comprise the Level 2 division, including the Bonus Exercises.  We will practice the L2 signs and skills, and work a course that includes the Level 2 exercises, all off-leash.

1:00pm - 2:15pm: Level 1 
We will briefly discuss the rules and regulations pertaining to APDT Rally and competition.  We will discuss the Level 1 signs, including the Bonus Exercises.  We will practice the L1 signs and skills within an APDT Rally course.  Dogs should be familiar with APDT Rally, and have competed a session of classes or 1-2 Novice seminars.

Please RSVP to sign up, be sure to specify which seminar(s) you will be attending. Zipnkiwi@aol.com

All seminars will take place at Girsh Park in Goleta.  The cost per seminar is $20 GVDC members/$25 non-members.  If you want to do more than one seminar to prepare for the trial and different levels, the cost is as follows:

Seminar #2 (any level) $15 GVDC members/$20 non-members
Seminar #3 (any level) $10 GVDC members/$15 non-members

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class time to help with setup and/or warm up your dog.What you will need to bring to the park with you:

1) Your dog on a flat buckle collar (no prongs or choke chains please) and a leash. An Easy-Walk or Sense-ible harness is fine. A 4 or 6 foot leash (no flexi-leashes please)
2) Many, many **YUMMY MEATY TREATS** that your dog will go nuts for: Natural Balance, lunch meat, tri-tip, steak, grilled chicken, etc. Dog's kibble or milk bones are not going to work, so make it easier on yourself and very rewarding for your dog. Toy for motivating your dog if that's more exciting for them.
3) Bowl and water, bags for cleaning up after your dog.
4) Bring a pen or a crate to secure your dog while you are walking the courses.
5) Shade for you and your dog. Chair for yourself, it is nice to sit and relax in between exercises.

Rally Obedience Classes

Novice through Level 3 Classes.
Dates: Check the Calendar Page for new sessions.
Cost: 6-week session is $72/GVDC club members and $90/non-members. (About memberships)
Location: Girsh Park, Goleta (Directions to Girsh)
Email Anne to sign up: zipnkiwi@aol.com
Read about Rally on the Rally page

10:00am: APDT Level 2 & 3 Class:
This class is designed for dogs that have earned their Level 1 Novice title and are ready to begin working off-leash to learn the Level 2 and 3  Exercises. Dogs in this class should be able to work off-leash reliably, have a strong focus on their handler, and possess good skills in heeling, pivot turns, changes of pace, stays, take directions at a distance, and be able to jump obedience-style hurdles. You can participate in this class if you are working at the Advanced or Excellent AKC Rally level as well. The Level 3 Exercises are brand new for GVDC students, lots of fun so come out and learn!  We will be offering Level 3 classes at our May APDT Rally trial, so familiarize yourself and your dog with these new signs and skills.  Contact Anne with any questions at Zipnkiwi@aol.com

11:15am: APDT Level 1 - Advanced Students:
This class is for dog and handler teams that have previously attended a session of Level 1 or Novice Rally classes and are ready to improve their skills.  The goal of this class will be to refine your dog's skills with the Level 1 Exercises, work off-leash if your dog is ready, and fine tune for Rally Trials if you ever want to show your dog.  Level 2 exercises may be introduced, to prepare your dog for the higher level classes. Contact Anne with any questions at Zipnkiwi@aol.com

12:30pm: APDT Level 1 - Novice Students:
These classes are geared towards dogs brand new to the sport of Rally. You will be taught the basics on how to get and maintain your dog's attention span and focus on your cues, and you will learn the various skills within the Level 1 exercises such as heeling, turns, basic stays, the cone exercises, and changes of pace. This is a great class for anyone with a dog, young or old, who would like to practice and develop more obedience and attention with their dog, and a very fun way to spend an hour with that favorite canine in your life. Contact Anne with any questions at Zipnkiwi@aol.com


Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class time to help with setup and/or warm up your dog.What you will need to bring to the park with you:

1) Your dog on a flat buckle collar (no prongs or choke chains please) and a leash. An Easy-Walk or Sense-ible harness is fine.

2) Many, many yummy meaty treats that your dog will go nuts for: Natural Balance, lunch meat, tri-tip, steak, grilled chicken, etc

3) Bowl and water, bags to clean up after your dog with.

4) Any toys that motivate your dog.

About Anne Swan

Anne Swan teaches Agility and Rally Obedience classes for GVDC. She has been training and competing in agility for the past nine years, and has truly enjoyed the time spent working with her dogs Zip and Kiwi. Both Zip and Kiwi have high-level titles in both the AKC and USDAA venues, and compete occasionally in NADAC as well. Kiwi has been a skilled and patient teacher, and is Anne's first official agility dog. Kiwi has been ranked in the Top Ten Australian Cattle Dogs in Agility for several years, and in 2004 she became a National Champion in the 16" Standard Agility class at the Australian Cattle Dog National Specialty.
Kiwi was also a National Finalist in the Performance Grand Prix at the 2004 USDAA Agility National Championships in Arizona. Kiwi became a National Champion by winning the Performance All-Around Standard class, and her second place finish led to Reserve Champion in the Performance All-Around Jumpers class at the 2004 USDAA Nationals. Kiwi returned to agility after a tendon injury and surgery, and competed in the 2006 USDAA National Agility Championships. She qualified into the Semifinals of the Performance Grand Prix and finished 8th overall.

Zip is quite a character and likes to remind Anne that a sense humor is a necessity when training dogs. He has a zest for life and brings his high level of energy to both agility and obedience. He competed at the 2005 USDAA Agility National Championships by qualifying for the Steeplechase, the Grand Prix, and the DAM (Dog Agility Masters) team competition. Zip qualified into the semifinal round of the Grand Prix at the USDAA Nationals by placing very well among some of the fastest dogs in the sport. In addition, he competed in the 2006 USDAA Nationals and won the Semifinal Round of the Performance Grand Prix, and earned a spot in the Performance Grand Prix Finals. He won the 16” Performance Power and Speed class in 2006 as well. Zip competes in both AKC and APDT Rally Obedience. He earned his APDT Level 1 title in 2005 with an Award of Excellence from the APDT andNational Ranking in the Top 20 Dogs. In 2006, Zip became the Number One Nationally Ranked RL1 Dog, as awarded by the APDT Rally organization. Zip competes in AKC Rally Obedience at the Excellent Level.

Anne's Teammates:
Kiwi: MX, MXJ, PDIII, NGC-V, NAC-V, FM, 2004 USDAA Performance Grand Prix Finalist, 2004 16" Standard Agility Australian Cattle Dog National Champion, 2004 USDAA Nationals Standard Agility Champion - Performance All-Around, 2004 USDAA Nationals Jumpers Reserve Champion - Performance All-Around. 2006 USDAA Performance Grand Prix Semifinalist

PC's Zip Drive: AX, AXJ, MAD, NGC, CD, RE, RL1, FDCH, CGC, TDI, 2005 USDAA Nationals Grand Prix Semifinalist, 2006 Performance Grand Prix Finalist, First Place, 16” Performance Power and Speed; 2005 Top 20 National Ranking RL1, APDT Rally, 2006 Number One Nationally Ranked dog in APDT Rally RL1

Having a great first year in competition, Anne's newest teammate Kylie! RL2, PJ1, PR1, PG1,   Ranked 11th in the USA in APDT Rally, Level 2 for 2007.

Kylie, Kiwi and Zip enjoying a romp at the beach. Photo by Richard Todd

Agility Practice Sessions

Once a dog has completed any agility class -- either with the club or elsewhere (and thus is familiar with the obstacles) -- they are invited to weekly practice sessions. Please check the calendar page for the practice schedule and the practice page about more information on practice sesssions. Cost is $3 for non-members, free for GVDC members.

Agility Pay & Play Sessions

Three or four times a year GVDC also holds "Pay & Play" sessions. A full course is set up and participants can do as many runs as time permits. Cost is $5 for per dog. Check the Calendar page for upcoming Pay & Play events. See the "About" page for club membership information. Please contact Anne Swan for additional questions about Pay & Play sessions. Email: ZipnKiwi@aol.com or call 686-5286.

Page updated 4/18/08

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