Agility Classes
When we planned our building in Westhampton, we planned it with Agility in mind. We knew we needed space to do agility but we also needed a safe floor for the dogs to jump on. Most facilities have a cement floor with rubber matting over it to cushion the impact. Well, we wanted more!
We have a 50 by 90 foot space with no support beams to take up room. The entire floor consists of tamped gravel covered by horse stall mats. People notice the comfort of our floor the moment they walk in the room.
Many people think of agility when they first see it at a dog show or when they see it on Animal Planet. When watching a competition, handlers make the sport look easy and the dogs make it look easy too.
We do offer agility classes, but the most important foundation to agility is a solid foundation of obedience. In other words, the dog should know how to stay reliably through any distraction, he should know how to come when called reliably, he should have a quick "down" command and most of all he should desire most to be with his owner. Agility is a team-work sport. You can't do it without the dog and the dog cannot do it without you.
At It's PAWSible! we require our agility students to do at least a basic obedience class here at our center before entering an agility class. Even if the dog and handler have done obedience elsewhere, this is our policy. Our methods in basic obedience provide lots of foundation for the agility class both in obedience and in relationship/teamwork. By the end of a six week basic obedience class, we have gotten to know each dog and handler well and can tell if they are ready for agility. This way, when we have 8 or 10 people in a beginner agility class, I am assured that each person/dog is at the same level.
Our agility classes are fun, highly motivational and we use only positive reinforcement to teach the obstacles. Each obstacle is taught so completely and thoroughly that the dog knows his "job" with each obstacle. We also work on lots of handling skills to help make you feel "smooth" when working with your dog. We use clickers to teach your dog how to find the "bottom" or the "contact zone" of each contact obstacle.
We offer the following agility classes:
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Beginner agility
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Post-beginner agility
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Intermediate agility
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Advanced agility
So what can you expect from agility classes at It's PAWSible!? You can expect to further enhance your relationship with your dog. Whether you choose to compete or not, you will learn safe and effective training methods to teach each piece of equipment. Your dog will learn skills in this order: Attitude, accuracy, speed and a willingness to do agility no matter what the conditions.
Click here to view a schedule of our advanced classes.
Agility Students
Here are some of our more advanced canine agility students!
