GO TUNNEL!! (Isn't that an A-Frame?)
Communication is the key to success.
How's it workin' for ya?
Click below for information on current
classes offered by GDAC
- Registration Info
- Important info pertaining to all classes
- Wednesday Open Sessions
- Pre Agility
- Beginning I Agility
- Beginning II Agility
-
Building on Foundations Class
2008 FALL CLASSES
Click here for Class Registration Form
Click here for Membership Form
Registration Form and fee are due to Carol Steadman at least one week
before classes start. You will receive email confirmation and further
information upon registration. Please contact Carol at (406) 585-3049 or
steadmab@aol.com
with any questions.
Checks should be made payable to GDAC
and all paperwork should be mailed to:
GDAC
C/O Carol Steadman
100 Churn Road
Bozeman, MT 59715
If applying for membership (optional) at the same time as registering
for a class, send a separate check for membership fees.
Fall Agility Class Schedule
All classes are held at the Gallatin County
Fairgrounds in the Livestock Barn #1.
Classes require pre-registration.
You also need to provide proof of rabies
vaccination, class application and payment,
one week prior to the first
night of class.
Payments not received by then, may result in
forfeiture of your placement in a class.
PLEASE NOTE:
Please arrive 15-20 minutes before the class to set yourself up, potty
your dog, and help with any equipment moving. Remember to bring small
bites of soft/yummy treats and/or toys to help motivate your dog.
Selection of your dog's reward item should be chosen carefully, as
something of high reward or special reward will be more effective in
training your dog. Also your dog may work better if they come to class
hungry. So, consideration should be given to withholding full or regular
meals before coming to class.
WEDNESDAY OPEN SESSION Starts May 21
Date/Time:
Wednesdays 6:30
– 8:00 p.m.
Instructor: Shared – Hosts to sign up in advance
Instruction
Cost: $5 per night.
Pre-registration is not required.
Just show up and have fun.
PRE -AGILITY
–Starts September 29 and meets for 8 weeks
(6 + people max. at instructor’s discretion)
Date/Time:
Monday nights from 7-8PM
Instructor: Billie Kerans
Age of Dog:
6 mos. and older.
Instruction:
This 60 minute class is required for any
dog, 6 mos. or older. It will be the starting point for any dog and
handler with no prior agility experience (unless previous puppy classes
have been taken, and with prior instructor approval). Foundation skills
will be enhanced or begun, and very basic agility technique and handling
skills will be taught. Safety on obstacles will be stressed.
Prerequisites:
·
Dogs six months of age or older
·
Walking on loose leash
Goals for Class:
·
10 second stay in class
·
Do short tunnels without hesitation
·
Work wobble board without hesitation
·
Move across flat board without hesitation
·
Good handler/dog working relationship (e.g., focus, stay)
·
Dog is comfortable spending short periods of time in a crate
·
Dog comes when called
Required:
Proof of rabies vaccination – must
accompany registration.
Cost:
8 week session - $85 ($68 for members)
BEGINNER I AGILITY – Starts
September 30th and meets for 8 weeks(6 + people max.
at instructor’s discretion)
Date/Time:
Tuesday nights from 7-8 PM
Instructor: Sandy McCarl
Age of Dog:
8 mos. or older
Instruction:
This 60 minute class will be for dogs and
their handlers who have successfully completed Pre-agility, or who have
the approval of the instructors for this class. Class will consist of
foundation work in basic agility, with all dogs being able to safely
perform all obstacles at lower heights, gradually moving toward
performing on regulation height obstacles safely.
Prerequisites:
-
Dog eight months of age or older
-
Good handler/dog working relationship (e.g., recall, stay, sit, down)
-
Walk on leash without pulling
Goals for Class:
-
Safely use all equipment at full height (exception: maximum of 12 inch jumps)
-
Dog and handler complete a short sequence of obstacles with dog off leash
-
Handler demonstrates reliable method of training contact performance
-
Dog demonstrates self control
-
Dog is comfortable spending short periods of time in a crate
-
Dog comes when called
-
Dog will sit stay for 30 seconds
-
Required:
-
Proof of rabies vaccination on file.
-
Completion of Pre-Agility or proof of other obedience training.
-
Cost:
8 week session - $85 ($68 for members)
BEGINNER
II AGILITY – Starts October 2nd and meets for 8 weeks (6 +
people max. at instructor’s discretion)
Date/Time:
Thursday nights from 7-8PM
Instructor: Cindy Connor
Age of Dog:
1 year or older
Instruction:
This 60 minute class will be for dogs and
their handlers who have successfully completed Beginner I agility, or
who have the approval of the instructors for this class. Class will
consist of continuing education in basic agility, with all dogs being
able to safely perform most obstacles at regulation height. More complex
handling will be taught, working towards competition (if desired).
Last week of class will be graduation and a
mini trial.
Prerequisites:
-
Attainment of goals of Pre-Agility and Beginner I classes
-
Ability to be confined in a crate or ex-pen for moderate periods of time
-
Dog focused enough to complete a six-obstacle sequence proficiently
Goals for Class:
-
Dog correctly enters and completes six weave poles with 75% efficiency
-
Handler demonstrates effective front, blind and rear crosses
-
Dog and handler complete a 12 to 16 obstacle novice course proficiently at appropriate jump heights at instructor’s discretion
-
Dog can demonstrate a start line stay
-
Required:
-
Proof of rabies vaccination on file.
-
Completion of Beginner I.
-
Cost:
8 week session - $85 ($68 for members)
BUILDING ON FOUNDATIONS – Starts October 8 for
8 weeks (except Nov. 5)
Date/Time:
Wednesday nights from 7-8PM
Instructor:
Tere Hamburg
Age of Dog:
Minimum 1 year old
Week one:
Self Control – We’ll focus on working through distractions, crate
games, start line stays, table performance, recalls, and criteria
reliability.
Week two:
Focus – Learn what turns your dog on and off to work.
Dogs learn all good things come from you, and the use of bridges
and markers.
Week three:
Shaping and Conditioning – We’ll learn shaping as a step-by-step
process. You’ll learn the
difference between Classical vs Operant conditioning; examine luring vs
bribing vs reinforcing.
Week four:
Building and Transferring Value – Based on Susan Garrett’s method
of success using one jump, dogs will learn to value working.
Once working value is established it can be transferred to other
obstacles and performance in general.
Week five:
Body Language – Learn and practice how your upper body, head and
shoulders, feet, and pace give direction to your teammate.
Week six:
Flatwork – Work on a straight line, arcing and circling, lead
recognition, and establishing your dog’s line.
Week seven:
Trouble Shooting/Retraining – Come with your troubles and we’ll break
down these behaviors. We’ll
look at methodologies of training and how to decide when to retrain.
Week eight:
Course Analysis – Different ways to walk a course, deciding which
cross and where, and ways to remember the course.
Prerequisites:
-
Dog completed Beginner I agility, or working at a Novice level, or
Permission of Instructor
Goals for Class:
-
To enhance performance of both dog and handler
-
To analyze training issues at a fundamental level
Required:
Proof of rabies vaccination – must accompany registration.
Cost:
8 week session - $85 ($68 for members); Individual week - $12
each week ($10 each week for members)
PRE-REGISTRATION FOR INDIVIDUAL
WEEKS - REQUIRED. Please
note on registration form which weeks you are enrolling in, and send
appropriate payment.
Checks should be made payable to GDAC and mailed
along with registration form to:
GDAC
C/O Carol Steadman

