Agility Courses
Agility is an action-packed race against the clock, with the handler guiding the dog through an obstacle course made up of jumps, a pause table, tunnels, so-called contact obstacles – the Dog Walk, the A-Frame, and the Teeter – and weave poles.
Northfield Dog Training has been offering a wide variety of agility classes since the late 1990s. While we have some trainers who are training in agility just for the fun of it, many of our students compete and earn titles with their dogs in many different venues, including AKC, CPE, and UKC. These competitions are at the local as well as national level.
All agility classes are held in the south end of the big building at the rear of the NDT site.
Agility Course Descriptions
Intro to Agility Obstacles
Weeks: 4
Length: 45 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Puppy Kindergarten or Jumpstart Obedience at Northfield, or equivalent class.
Equipment: 4-6 ft cloth or leather leash, flat collar, treat bag, lots of small soft treats, toy that does not roll or squeak, and sensible shoes in which the handler can run.
We introduce the dogs to all of the different obstacles seen on an agility course, at safely lowered heights. Your dog needs to be comfortable being held by the instructor or assistant, and to have enough self-control to work around other dogs without being disruptive.
Intro to Agility Handling Skills
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Intro to Agility Obstacles or instructor approval.
Equipment: 4-6 ft cloth or leather leash, flat collar, treat bag, lots of small soft treats, toy that does not roll or squeak, sensible shoes in which the handler can run, a crate for your dog.
We work on basic handling skills for control needed for an agility course. Your dog needs to be comfortable being held by the instructor or assistant, be able to be quiet in a crate, and to have enough self-control to work around other dogs without being disruptive.
Agility 2
Weeks: 6
Length: 55 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Intro to Agility Obstacles and Intro to Agility Handling Skills or instructor approval. Screening is required if you have not trained at Northfield before.
Equipment: 4-6 ft cloth or leather leash, flat collar, treat bag, lots of small soft treats, toy that does not roll or squeak, and sensible shoes in which the handler can run.
We continue to work on the obedience control needed for agility and build on the foundation work started in Intro to Agility. We will introduce the various ways to change sides (including front and rear crosses), start to build the number of obstacles in a sequence, introduce different jump sequences, build on contact obstacle performance, still at lowered heights, and build on weave pole performance, with gradually narrowing channel weaves and 2x2s for reliable entrances. Students are expected to have weave poles at home with which to practice.
Agility 3
Weeks: 6
Length: 55 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Agility 2 or instructor approval. Screening is required if you have not trained at Northfield before.
Equipment: 4-6 ft cloth or leather leash, flat collar, treat bag, lots of small soft treats, toy that does not roll or squeak, and sensible shoes in which the handler can run.
We continue to build on the skills learned in Intro to Agility and Agility 2. We will expand on the number of obstacles in sequences (4-6 with side changes, 6-8 without), expand on the types of jump sequences, build contacts to full height for the dogs that are > 12 months old, strengthen contact obstacle performance, and continue to build on weave pole performance, with gradually narrowing channel weaves and 2x2s for reliable entrances. Students are expected to have weave poles at home with which to practice.
Agility 4
Weeks: 6
Length: 55 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Agility 3 or instructor approval. Screening required if you have not trained at Northfield before.
Equipment: 4-6 ft cloth or leather leash, flat collar, treat bag, lots of small soft treats, toy that does not roll or squeak, and sensible shoes in which the handler can run.
We continue to build on the skills learned in Intro to Agility, Agility 2, and Agility 3. We will expand on the number of obstacles in sequences (8-10 with side changes), build contacts to full height for the dogs that are > 12 months old, strengthen contact obstacle performance, and continue to build on weave pole performance, with the goal of completely closed weaves and independent entries. Students are expected to have weave poles at home with which to practice.
Agility Skills
Weeks: 6
Length: 55 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Knowledge of all agility obstacles; comfortable on full height contact equipment; ability to perform short obstacle sequences consistently; working at least 6 weave poles.
This class focuses on handling skills, building weaving skills, and building contact obstacle skills with an emphasis on two-on-two-off contact performance. We build to working a full course of 13-15 obstacles. This is a great course for the 1st-time handler whose dog meets the listed prerequisites.
Novice/Open Agility
Weeks: 6
Length: 55 minutes per session
Prerequisites: This is a competition class. Must be able to do full height contacts, 12 closed independent weaves. Must be screened by Instructor/Co-Instructor prior to class acceptance. If interested, please email ndtshannon@gmail.com. Must have at least 3 students for the class to be held.
COMPETITION CLASS ONLY! We work on start line stays, contact criteria, distance, cover handling skills, and distractions. We discuss what is the best plan for your dog to be successful on a course.
Competition Agility
Weeks: 6
Length: 55 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Competing at the Excellent/Master Agility level. Must be screened by Instructor/Co-Instructor prior to class acceptance. If interested, please email ndtshannon@gmail.com. Must have at least 3 students for the class to be held.
COMPETITION CLASS ONLY! This class is geared towards the Excellent/Master level in Agility. A combination class offering course walk-through analysis, learning how to set lines for jump sequences, and distance work, including problem-solving and proofing, contacts, start line stays, motivation and attention. We will discuss all options for running the course, which is most efficient and which is best for the team.