Classes >> Agility >> Intermediate Agility

Intermediate Agility

Intermediate Agility is for dogs who are doing each of the individual obstacles. This class teaches you how to handle your dog through agility courses. We develop your dog's ability to do multiple obstacles, while building your skills as an agility handler. Games are used to support the training and add to the fun.

At this level, dogs learn to work together with their owners and to follow the owner's directions through simple to intermediate-level agility courses. Dogs are taught to follow hand signals as well as voice commands for guidance. Owners learn hand changes (changing the dog from right-handed guidance to left-handed guidance or vice versa) in front of and behind their dogs; dogs learn how to respond to the owner changing positions. Owners are challenged to keep their dog involved and with them in off-leash training exercises.

Owners who wish to compete are encouraged at this level to enter fun matches and similar events to prepare, and perhaps even to begin competing. These off-site events will help dogs adjust to crowds, lots of dogs, noise, new environments, and to gain non-class skills that help them succeed in a competitive trial. These events also help owners understand and adapt to the competitive environment. Since most class participants at this level do not wish to compete, the main focus of the class is not on competitive procedures. Training techniques fully consider preparedness for agility competition, and some discussion occurs on rules for those who are interested.

Intermediate Agility classes are limited to 6 dogs.