Class Information
ACWA recruit highly skilled instructors that have been teaching and running agility for many years. Our classes and students are a representation of the quality training they have had and whether you're doing agility for competition or just for fun, you will take something out of each class, each term, guaranteed. The club has a strong focus on developing a strong connection with your dog as the baseline for a successful training journey.
All classes are held on Tuesday nights but some classes have mutiple time slots.
We are currently only running levels 1- 5.
LEVEL 1
All new starters in level 1 must complete the online induction before term. Please bring a copy of the certificate with you on your first class.
Puppy A: This class is designed for young puppies aged 16 weeks and older. In this class we allow puppies to socialise appropriately with other dogs and humans whilst building a sound understanding of basic foundation skills and body awareness used in the sport of agility. Throughout term, you can expect to learn:
- How to get the dog to focus on the handler (head turn or hand target)
- Reward in the right time and place
- Connecting with your dog using food and/or a toy
- How to get your dog to settle and focus in a distracting environment
- Use of a mat and a box to demonstrate 2 paws in and 2 paws out
Puppy B: This class is a continuation from puppy A but when dogs are still too young to move on to adult classes.
Puppy cost: $50 per term
Duration: 30 minutes
Class times: Puppy A: 7:30 - 8:00pm / Puppy B: 6:50 - 7:20pm
Adult Starters: This class is aimed at teams that are new to the sport and the dog is 12 months or older. In this class you'll learn to build a sound understanding of basic foundation skills and body awareness used in the sport of agility. Throughout term, you can expect to learn:
- How to work with your dog when you are behind them
- Wrapping around a stationary object such as a cone and building up to multiple obstacles
- Building the dogs confidence to run through tunnels with drive
- Able to position the dog to have two paws on a flat board and two paws on the grass by command
- Basic handling skills and building distance between you and your dog whilst staying in control
Cost: $100 per term
Class times: 6:30 - 7:50pm -or- 8:00 - 9:20pm
LEVEL 2
Beginners: Here you will apply the skills learnt from level 1 to work on single jump techniques, short sequences and effective handling as the primary focus. In this class, dogs are introduced to weavers and early adoption of contract equipment (A-Frame and dog walk). Skills that will be taught in this class are:
- An introduction to the three crosses (front, blind and rear)
- Short sequences of up to 3 obstacles
- Familiarity of the dog being off lead and a solid start line in a sit stay position
- High value rewards and play skills
- Reliable recall to handler
- The dog can maintain focus with the handler despite a stimulating environment
Cost: $100 per term
Class times: 6:30 - 7:50pm -or- 8:00 - 9:20pm
LEVEL 3
Intermediate: In level 3, you start to string together short sequences into short courses building on the dogs drive, level of committment to jumps and developing handler techniques to navigate a numbered course. Students in this class will be able to participate in a 'pre-novice' mock trial hosted by ACWA during holidays. Upon completion of level 3, teams will be able to:
- Perform front, blind and rear crosses in a course
- Understanding of what a K-turn is an how to apply it in isolation
- The dog will have a strong value for jumps
- The dog can be sent to a tunnel on a verbal cue
- 6 independant weave poles with the dog entering from both sides of the handlers body
- The dog is familiar with contacts in isolation and the handler understands what a safe deceleration looks like
Cost: $100 per term
Class times: 6:30 - 7:50pm -or- 8:00 - 9:20pm
LEVEL 4
Pre-trial: This class is focused on getting the dog and handler ready to trial in competition ring at a novice level. Students will be encouraged to participate in the 'novice' mock trial hosted by ACWA during school holidays to learn and master ring etiquette. The objectives of this class are:
- Confidently walk a course and select the most appropriate handling options with a consideration of your dogs positioning
- Sound application of K-turns, front, rear and blind crosses in a sequence
- The dog can perform a reliable contact in isolation
- Application of directional cues in small sequences
- Extend to 12 independant weave poles with the dog entering from both sides of the handlers body
Cost: $100 per term
Class times: 6:30 - 7:50pm -or- 8:00 - 9:20pm
LEVEL 5
Advanced: This class is aimed at dog-handler teams that are already trialing or ready to do so. Agility or jumping courses will be designed with varied degrees of difficulty challenging the handler and focusing on the dogs most practical and safest path. Often, these courses will be broken down into smaller sequences. At the time of graduating, teams will be able to demonstrate:
Cost: $100 per term
Class time: 6:30 - 7:50pm
LEVEL 6 - Not Currently Available
Seniors: In this class, tehnical skills will be developed and more challenging sequences are set. The instructor encourages an open discussion on handling options whilst coaching the best practice manoeuvres that is the safest for both the dog and the handler. Skills taught in this class will see the dog-handler team successfully achieve:
- Sending a dog into a full set of weave poles (12) with the dog entering from both sides of the handlers body
- A-frame & dog walk reliability in a sequence
- Has verbal cues for threadle, extension, backside of wing, collection, rear cross. The dog understands the verbal command and reacts accordingly
- Appropriate use of rewarding the dog with food and/or toy
- The dog will recall to handler during sequences
Cost: $100 per term
Class time: 6:30 - 7:50pm
LEVEL 7 - Not Currently Available
Masters Jumping & Handling skills: This class is only available for dogs that are actively competing in JDM. Students will perfect their handling skills and advance their awareness of lines and the technical application to sequences and courses.
Handlers will be expected to set themselves up in the optimal position to their dogs responsiveness
Cost: $100 per term
Class time: 6:30 - 7:50pm