gility Club of San Diego, Inc.

Agility Club of San Diego

Classes

All classes are held at the Canine Sports Center, 4821 Dehesa Road in El Cajon. Contact the instructor for the classes listed below for more information about class content, availability, finalized dates/times and to enroll.

* NOTICE * 

(01-20-2023)

There are currently NO classes being offered

Check back in the future

 

Beginner

In this entry level class, you will learn foundation and flat work, which will lead into the introduction to obstacle training, starting with some basic obstacles such as ladder, wobble board, and plank. You and your dog will soon be introduced to the agility obstacles from which you will progress to working more on equipment and running short sequences. The end goal is to advance into the  Intermediate/ Advanced classes, and agility competition, if you choose.

Instructor:
When: Thursday evenings
Duration: 6 weeks
Cost:  $120 ($90 for ACSD members)

Intermediate & Advanced

This class introduces more technical courses and handling skills. We incorporate the safe approach and performance of spread jumps, tricky weave pole entries and safe performance of contact equipment. Finding the “lines” that work best for your dog on course is also part of learning to run with confidence. We run short courses, work on the difficult sequences and put it all together by the end of the class. We work on setting up a positive atmosphere for learning and enjoying our dogs.

Instructor:
When: Tuesday evenings
Duration: 6 weeks
Cost: $120 ($90 for ACSD members)

Field Safety Rules
The Agility Club of San Diego has established the following rules for the safety of you, your dog, and other class members:

Agility is not dog obedience—we cannot overemphasize how important it is that you be extremely aware of these safety rules regarding you, your dog, and the equipment!

Crates are required for all dogs.

It would be useful, although not required, if your dog has been trained in the following exercises before beginning agility training: off-leash control (controlled walking, informal recalls); down-stay (5-10 seconds).

Your dog must be in good physical condition. Get advice from your veterinarian before training. Your dog should not have physical disabilities such as hip dysplasia, lameness, or be overweight. You should have your dog’s hips x-rayed.

Agility will require physical exertion and coordination on your part. Keep yourself in good physical condition and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and athletic, skid-free shoes. Avoid (hanging) jewelry.

Always examine the agility obstacles yourself and make sure the safety bolts are in place. If you have a question about the safety/stability of a particular obstacle, please do not send your dog over it, and call it to the attention of an instructor.

You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog at all times. Please prevent your dog from urinating on the obstacles—if he does, you must clean it up.

Use of heavy-handed corrections on the course will jeopardize your dog’s confidence, which is crucial to his success.

Only buckle collars are permitted while working on the obstacles. Use of choke collars or pinch collars is forbidden as they may injure your dog if caught on an obstacle. Other collars may be used on the grounds when your dog is not working the obstacles.

Use caution when working your dog on the course with a leash. The leash could be caught on the equipment (do not allow a long leash to drag across a contact obstacle). As soon as you have good verbal control of your dog (stay, come, down) and your dog has displayed self-confidence on the obstacles, you may discontinue use of the leash. Leashes can be extremely dangerous.

Dogs are permitted off leash only when working the obstacles. At all other times, please keep your dog on leash and under your control.

Please keep your dog a respectful distance from dogs wearing a red ribbon on their leash. The owners of these dogs prefer that their dogs not socialize with other dogs.

Keep your dog’s nails trimmed and keep hair between the pads of your dog’s feet short to prevent slipping on the equipment.
If your dog has hair falling in his eyes, tie it back with a rubber band or small barrette.

Your dog must be approved on each obstacle, by a club instructor, to use that obstacle without supervision.

Dogs are only permitted on the obstacles during class time. If you need extra time on a particular obstacle, please ask permission from your instructor.

Always praise and encourage your dog. Do not press for speed until after the dog establishes his self-confidence on all of the obstacles. Do not ask your dog for too much, too soon. Back up in your training if you get into trouble.

Your dog should not be drilled endlessly on any obstacle. Quit after 3 or 4 successful tries. If your dog is having trouble with an obstacle, seek out one of the club instructors.

Warm your dog up with fast heeling before intense jumping.

Increase jump heights on your dog slowly, allowing him to jump with confidence. Do not jump your dog full height until his bones are mature, which can be as late as 15 to 19 months for some breeds.

Class Evaluations

Agility training is a fun sport for both you and your dog. We hope you will join our classes. However, before enrolling in your first class, your dog needs to be evaluated. We’ve answered the most frequently-asked questions regarding the evaluation process below. If you need any other information, send us an email below.

Why does my dog need to be evaluated?
During the early stages of equipment training, an instructor will often need to assist in handling your dog. In addition, most dogs learn the agility obstacles quite quickly and will be working off leash after only a few weeks of training. Therefore, it will be necessary for your dog to have the following skills:

  • Have some initial obedience training
  • Be under verbal control
  • Be able to get along with people and other dogs and work in the presence of other dogs
  • Be sociable

When Are Evaluations Given?

Evaluations will begin Thursday, February 4th at 6:00pm.  Contact Patti at BeardsOnly@cox.net

Where are evaluations held?
Evaluations are held at the Canine Sports Center at 4821 Dehesa Road, just east of El Cajon.
What does the evaluation consist of?

The evaluation consists of the following exercises:
1. Dog and handler will walk by an instructor. The instructor will bend down and gently examine your dog. The dog should accept this without any problems.
2. Handler will give the dog’s lead to the instructor and walk about six feet away from the dog. The dog should accept this without any problems.
3. Handler will give the lead to the instructor, who will walk about ten feet away with the dog.
4. Your dog will be evaluated for response to the commands: sit, down, and stay.
5. With a fence barrier between, another dog and handler will stand next the dog and handler being evaluated. Then the other dog and handler will walk back and forth, then both dogs and handlers will walk back and forth. The dog should accept this without showing any aggressive tendencies.
6. With all other dogs put out of the way, handler will let the dog wander away; then on evaluators request, handler will call the dog. Dog should respond by coming.

What happens after my dog is evaluated?
If your dog successfully completes the evaluation, we will notify you of the next available class in which you may enroll!
If your dog does not, we suggest you seek a good obedience trainer or behaviorist to assist you in training your dog. We will be very happy to reevaluate your dog a later time.
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Upcoming Classes

Intermediate/Advanced
start date:

Beginner
start date: there are currently NO classes being offered

Check back periodically


Class Location

All of the Agility Club of San Diego’s classes are held at the Canine Sports Center, which boasts a 187′ x 187′ fenced field with a nicely maintained grass surface. The field has night time lighting and water available for the dogs.

Canine Sports Center | 4821 Dehesa Rd | El Cajon, CA

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