Instruction: This will be an open session where the evenings host will set up courses to practice more advanced handling skills.  This will be a mixture of NADAC and AKC style courses.  The list of Hosts will be posted on the GDAC website and a brief description of the evening’s design/emphasis will be provided.

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 30^th 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 2^nd 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

     Description:          This is a series of workshops being presented with the option of attending individual weeks, or all eight weeks.  This course is designed to build up foundational skills, to increase your training knowledge base, and improve competition performance.

     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

100 Churn Road

Bozeman, MT 59715