If you've ever observed Dog Agility in person or on TV and thought you'd like to try it, wanted to advance the skill you already have or train to compete at the highest level, then you've come to the right website. Always remembering that our dogs are friends and companions first. That we share the agility experience together as partners with equal yet differnet responsibilities. We believe Agility is fun and exciting for any type of dog whether its large or small, purebred or mixed breed. Its is great exercise for the dog and the handler alike. Agility training helps build a stronger relationship between you and your dog. Come join us at Top Dog Agility located close to historic Mount Dora in central Florida where we train from biginner to the highest levels of Agility.
Focus Foundation - The focus of the class is on improving manners, gaining skills, increasing confidence, to build a more enjoyable relationship and become an effective team. Learn the basic obedience and communication skills needed to build a better relationship with your family dog or to start in competitive dog sports such as agility or rally. Some of the skills we will cover are attention, off leash control, ability to work around other dogs as well as people and distractions, drive and motivation, confidence and basic obedience such as sit, down, stay and come. Other topics include heel and side position, toy drive and attention, communication and awareness between you and your dog.This class is the foundation for all future training. It will increase communication and awareness between your dog and you. This class is a prerequisite to Intro to Agility as well as a great prelude to other obedience classes.
Intro to Agility - In this class, dogs will be introduced to many of the agility obstacles in a safe and controlled manner. The skills needed to successfully negotiate the obstacles and the handling skills will be worked on weekly. Attention, focus and motivation will be practiced as the team builds confidence in an atmosphere that centers around having fun. By the end of this class the dog will have a good working knowledge of many of the obstacles (the A-frame, dog walk, and teeter will not be completed but we will begin sharpening correct contact skills). (Prerequisite - Focus Foundation, or Puppy II, or Obedience I)
Beginning Agility - In this class, all handling skills and basic control will be improved. Students learn to give timely commands, to provide consistant and smooth body cues, and develop teamwork with their dog. The rest of the equipment, specifically the contact obstacles, will be taught including, A-frame, dog walks, teeter. Handling maneuvers such as front and rear cross, post turns, get outs, and come to side will be taught and practiced. The dog and handler teams will continue to improve their skills to become more proficient at simple combinations of obstacles. (Prerequisite - Intro to Agility)
Novice Agility - Novice agility continues where Beginner left off. We will continue to develop teamwork and increase handling skills. Sequencing is performed off leash, therefore, your dog also must be able to sit, stay, down and come on command, off leash. Handlers also develop the ability to switch smoothly from handling their dogs off one side to handling off the other side in the middle of a sequence using front and rear crosses. The different come to the side maneuvers will be practiced using obstacles. Dogs will be taught to move ahead and switch as needed from handler to obstacle focus. We will work more off leash doing short sequences of obstacles. Handling and agility skills such as front and rear crosses, serpentines, 270s, get outs, and threadles will be worked on to gain comfort and confidence.
Intermediate Agility - This class is designed to advance your skills and to prepare your dog for competition, if desired. The dog must be reliable off leash and under good control. Handling skills and combinations will be emphasized. Obstacle skill and team communication will continue to be improved and strengthened, as will speed and reliability. Distance performance will be improved and longer sequences will be done to work on specific skills to better the performance of the dog and handler. Contact equipment performance will be practiced and improved including two-on-two-off and/or running contacts.
Advanced Agility - This class is for those now competing or ready to start competing (or competition-ready for) the Novice or Advanced level. Excellent handling skills will be emphasized. Communication between handler and dog will be developed further. Speed and control will be worked on. (Prerequisite-must already be competing or ready to compete).
Advanced/Masters Handling Skills - The theme of these sessions will vary and the classes will teach a variety of different skills and handling maneuvers. Some topics may include distance work, perfecting weaves or contact, improvement of rear and front crosses, obstacle discrimination, etc. Competition courses will be set up for a variety of handling challenges. Learning how to walk a course and figure out how to best run it will be emphasized. You will be exposed to the challenges seen in competition and gain confidence, speed, distance and polish.
Puppy Agility Fun! - Take advantage of your puppy's natural curiosity and abundant energy to introduce him or her to the fun sport of agility! This class will focus on some fundamentals of agility using puppy games that will utilize targeting, wobble board, focus and basic obedience skills. Puppies will be introduced to sights, sounds, and techniques that are helpful toward building confidence without stress on baby joints. we will focus on building a positive working relationship with your puppy using play, toys, and lots of treats. Treats and toys will be used for focus motivation. Class will help build your puppy's confidence and strengthen your bond and partnership. The goal is to create a dog that is engaged, focused and motivated as well as one that is confident, well socialized, and eager to offer behaviors and learn.
This class is designed for puppies 5 months to 1 year of age. The class meets one day a week for approximately one hour. Classes are limited to 6 puppies. Dogs will need to have a crate, buckle collar, (or gentle leader), a 6 ft. leash (nylon or leather), and lots of tinny treats (don't feed dinner before class)!
Prerequisite: Graduation from Ideal Puppy class (or a similar class in another school) or obedience class such as Focus Foundation; or approval from instructor or Training Director. Other puppy agility classes will follow this to continue to improve your young dog's agility skills.
