Content that will be presented in this class: The focus of this class will be on teaching the handler the skills necessary for completing agility courses as a team with their dog. Various exercises , stations, and activities will be designed to help the handler learn and refine their performance of body movements (footwork, use of arms, posture). There will be less focus on the dog’s actual performance of these skills.

Skills in this class will include: Front cross/rear cross/blind cross, Wraps, Post-turns, Lead out, Push/pulls, Obstacle approaches

Criteria needed to advance to the next level: Handler must demonstrate ability to recognize and perform basic handling skills taught in the handling one class. Dog must be able to perform a short obstacle sequence off leash, continually working enthusiastically throughout the sequence.

This is not a teaching class. Handlers/dogs should be running at the Open or Excellent level.

Participants must be competing at the Excellent/Elite/Masters level.

Criteria needed to enter this class: Dog must be able to handle at least 2 side switches on a course. Dog must be able to do 12 poles and handle difficult entries into them. Dog must be able to do 270 degree jumping, serpentines, and slice jumping. Dog must be able to sit on line while another dog is running, Dog must be jumping at full height if outdoors (the height of the dog jumped while in Novice and Open)

Content that will be presented in this class: Handler and dog teams will be running Excellent level courses

This course is based on the book "Alphabet Drills" by Nancy Gyes. The majority of the exercises are jumping exercises and they are structured to teach the basic handling moves (i.e. front crosses, rear crosses, lead out pivots, serpentines, 180 and 270 degree turns, etc.). Handlers should be at the novice/starters level or ready to compete (with instructors' permission). All dogs must have a start line stay. .

Content that will be presented in this class: Attention, Sit, Sit Stay, Sit for exam, Down, Down stay, Stand, Heeling or casual walking with dog on loose lead, Change of pace, Halts, Recall, Leave it, Fronts and finishes,

Criteria needed to advanced to the next level: Sit and sit stay, Down and down stay, Recall with some distance, Sit for exam, Walking on a loose leash, Some focus on handler.

Content of class: Attention word, stationary attention with proofing , moving attention. Heel position. Stays – sit and down (increasing both time and distance). Stand – exam in a sit position and in a stand position.  Recall – introduction to mild proofing. Front and finish.  Foot work – right, left , about turn, pace changes, halts, figure 8. Rules and regulations.

Criteria for advancement to next class: Dog must have a sit stay (1 minute) and down stay (3 minute) with handlers at a distance from the dog. Stand for exam. Dog must have a recall through mild distraction. Attention work and know heel position. Dog should be able to focus on handler while moving.

Content of class: Attention - stationary and moving. Heeling on lead and introduction to heeling off lead, figure 8. Stays - sit and down (increasing time and distance). Recall –mild proofing. Introduction to the retrieve of the dumbbell, introduction to drop on recall. Introduction to broad jump and high jump without retrieve, introduction to out of sight stays.

Criteria to get out of class: Dog must have a down stay (5 minutes) and sit stay (3 minutes). Does not have to be out of sight. Recall command through distractions. Attention word and dog and handler should know heel position. Dog can heel with attention on handler. Dog will take dumbbell on command from hand. Dog will down while moving or signal or command. Dog is going over broad jump and high jump (not carrying dumbbell).

Content of class: Heeling off lead. Formalize the drop on recall. Retrieve on the flat and over the high jump. Formalize the broad jump. Out of sight stays. Introduction to the utility exercises (signals, moving stand, articles, gloves, go outs directed jumping).

Criteria to get out : Heel off lead. Dog and handler can do the open exercises in a ring set up. Dog can do down, sit , recall on signal from handler with handler close in front of dog. Dog will retrieve gloves, leather and metal articles. Short distance go outs. Dog is jumping high and bar jump.

These are not teaching classes. Timed run thrus. Students and dogs in these classes should be ring ready. Students in class are expected to help with running of the ring (putting out articles and gloves)

At the November meeting the AKC Board of Directors voted to adopt the Rally Advisory Committee’s recommended regulation changes for the sport of Rally, effective April 1, 2012. These changes impact general rules and scoring, course design (no more Honor!!! But a fun new about turn!) and additional new signs/exercises at each of the three levels. To prepare for the new rules this class will explore the changes and get some experience running courses with the new signs.

Prerequisites: The class is open to anyone with prior experience in Rally. If you have not tried Rally yet we suggest you sign up for a Rally Novice Class since (a) at that point ALL the rules will be new to you, and (b) in this class we will be moving pretty fast to cover everything.

Class will be limited to 8 dogs, auditors are encouraged if the class fills.