Training Course Descriptions
Agility
Dog agility is a sport in which a dog moves through an obstacle course with the
guidance of his or her handler. The following are the various class levels offered:
Skills I
For dogs and puppies with no prior agility experience at Splash 'n Dash. Introduces
the dog to several agility obstacles with the goal of having the dog be able to
perform confidently and safely. Work on foundation skills such as exercises to
turn your dog, target work for contacts and shadow handling.
Skills II
For dogs that have graduated the Skills 1 class or equivalent skill set. Focused
on individual obstacles and then chaining obstacles together, further develop
contact performance, and briefly touch on basic handling, such as front and rear
crosses.
Foundations of Agility Focus
In an Agility environment, it is imparitive that a dog is focused solely on the
handler. This class is designed to teach handler-focus and canine self-control
to dogs of any age or level of agility experience. Objective for the dog is to
increase comfort, self-control, and confidence in an agility envirnonment with
various levels of distractions while building/expanding their speed. Handler increases
confidence with footwork and hand signals while executing crosses, turns, and
targeting. A key part of this class is helping handlers learn why, how, and when
to adjust their training techniques so that they can better set their dogs up
for success.
Handling I
For dogs that have graduated the Skills 2 class or equivalent skill set. Provides
more handling instruction. Teaching students when/where to perform front &
rear crosses, introduce more moves such as RFP(reverse flow pivot), flips, false
turns and teaching your dog advanced skills such as “go” and “out”, etc.
Handling II
For dogs that have graduated the Handling 1 class or equivalent skill set. This
class will provide a means to work on the handling moves that were introduced
in Handling 1 on more advanced sequences.
Competition
For dogs that have graduated from Handling 2 or equivalent skill set. Sequences
will be more challenging and will test a variety of skills needed to be successful
in agility.
Run Thrus
Run Thrus are for dogs currently at Handling 2 or Competition level. This class
provides students an opportunity to run an entire course. Each week a different
course will be offered.
Small Dog Agility
Focuses on dogs that are under 17 inches at withers. This class will teach the
handler about Teacups dog agility and specific types of handling needed for the
small dog. Small sequencing is used to perfect handler's position.
Obedience
Obedience training involves training a canine companion to obey basic control
commands such as sit, down, and heel. The following are various classes offered:
Rally Obedience
Rally Obedience is a new AKC and APDT event which allows handlers and dogs to
have fun while doing obedience exercises at their own pace on a timed course.
Clicker Training
This class focuses on teaching the concepts of clicker training to individuals
who are new to or who have limited experience with clicker training. In addition,
experienced individuals are welcomed and will be provided with opportunities to
stretch their clicker training skills and the skills of their dogs. The focus
for this class, however, will be on building a solid foundation of knowledge about
clicker theory and solid foundation skills.
CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Obedience
This class is open to any dog. Work will be done on each obedience command,
starting where your dog is at the time. The goal of the class is to have any
dog without a CGC to be able to obtain one. A test will be scheduled near the
end of the classes. Dogs that already have CGC's will be working toward competition
at the AKC novice level. This requires all of the same skills needed for the
CGC but at a higher level. Skills covered include heeling, both on and off leash,
the recall and front, attention (watch command), sit, down, stay, and finish or
come to heel.
Freestyle
Is a coreographed musical program performed by handlers and their dogs.
K9 Dressage is based on equine dressage. It is a combination of traditional obedience
and freestyle moves. It is precision based. Teams will learn the basic moves which
will be developed into sequences. There is NO music and NO dancing is required.
Teams must have obedience experience. K9 Dressage will help develop a physically
symmetric dog as it utilizes both left and right side moves. It is perfect for
agility, obedience, freestyle, flyball or any other dog sport competition. It
also helps develop a working relationship with your dog.
Flyball
A fast paced team relay race involving jumps and retrieving balls.
Flyball races match two teams of four dogs each, racing side-by-side over a 51
foot long course. Each dog must run in relay fashion down the jumps, trigger a
flyball box, releasing the ball, retrieve the ball, and return over the jumps.
The next dog is released to run the course but can't cross the start/finish line
until the previous dog has returned over all 4 jumps and reached the start/finish
line. The first team to have all 4 dogs finish the course without error wins the
heat.
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