First Dog Sports Dog Training Classes
FOUNDATIONS IN AGILITY...LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
This class is recommended for anyone wishing to train their dog in agility although the principles can also be applied to any dog sport or event. Foundations in Agility is designed to give you a solid foundation as the owner/handler/trainer of good training skills and is based on positive teaching techniques. The end result is a balanced partnership with your dog. To get optimum performance out of any breed, the choice to work with you is essential. Subsequently, it is not only for new dogs, but for any dog that you would like to encourage to behave a little better. You will be absolutely amazed at how well your dog performs with any of the training they already have after learning these new skills. It is a common misconception that dogs love to get onto agility equipment the moment you decide you want to teach your dog agility. Time and again we have seen dogs engage in avoidance behaviors when asked to learn the agility obstacles too quickly. This ends in frustration for the owners and causes a breakdown in the fun element for the dog.
Topics covered will be
Pre obstacle Work is also included in this class
Karen Lewis and Cathi Stinson will be teaching this class. Location: Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex, Pinetop-Lakeside. Date and Time: Class will be held on Tuesdays at 5:30- 6:30pm beginning Tuesday, May 4. To register contact Karen Lewis.
Class is 8 weeks long. Cost $60. (Checks are payable to Pinetop-Lakeside Parks and Recreation.)
Download application for Foundations class.
SPRING 2010 INTRODUCTION TO FLYBALL CLASS
They run! They jump! They're crazy for tennis balls! This class will introduce you and your dog to the fast paced sport of Flyball. Dogs will be introduced to the basics of sequencing a set of low hurdles, retreiving the tennis ball from a spring loaded box, and returning to their owners with the ball. Handlers will be introduced to the concepts and rules of the sport. We highly recommend a Foundations class as a prerequisite, but at this time it is not a requirement. This class is 6 weeks long.
You must register for this class through Show Low Parks and Recreation.
Tuesday May 11, 2010 at 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Cost $50 (Discount will be available for FiDo members)
Location Show Low MacNeil Complex (the field across from the Show Low Fire Department
For more information regarding Flyball or Flyball classes contact Debbie Maerker.
JUNIOR HANDLER CLASS
This class is designed for young people under the age of 18 who want to train a dog in agility. First Dog Sports supports agility organizations that are supportive of young people and hosts trials that are very friendly towards our young competitors. As a result it has become our priority to create a program to help young people train their dogs and to become ready for competition at the level they are at. Amy Hanridge will be the instructor for this program. Amy, who has competed extensively in USDAA agility, has been working with her own daughter, Lilly and Lilly's dog, Pax. Amy has an incredible wealth of knowledge, is a very positive instructor, and loves to work with young people. The Junior Handler class will be Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-5:00pm beginning Tuesday, April 27. Location: Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex, Pinetop-Lakeside. Class is 8 weeks long. Cost $30. (Checks are payable to Pinetop-Lakeside Parks and Recreation.) For more information or to register for class contact Amy Hanridge.
Download application for Junior Handler class.
INTRODUCTION TO CANINE FREESTYLE
(often referred to as the Dog Dancing Sport)
Instructor Karen Lewis will introduce you and your dog to the sport of Canine Freestyle. You and your dog will learn some of the basic positions, as well as how to cue your dog to perform some simple dog dance moves. Watch as your dog eagerly offers to do his or her new found tricks that you can quickly turn into "dance". This class will be a lot of fun for you and your dog!
Canine Freestyle will be held Mondays 6:00-7:00pm beginning Monday May 3.
Location: K-9 Camp, Snowflake. Class is 4 weeks long. Cost $30.
To register contact Karen Lewis.
Download application for Introduction to Canine Freestyle class.
"FUN"DAMENTAL DOG TRAINING
Wednesday mornings 9:30-11:00 am
This unique class will teach you and your dog some of the fundamental training techniques used to gain attention and interest from your dog. This class will include basic obedience, working toward off leash training, shaping, motivation, retrieving the tennis ball and frisbee, basic behaviors for dogs going into sports or therapy. Flyball, search and rescue, therapy, and agility are some of the subjects that will be covered.
Instructor: Sara Middleton
Location: Burton (Please contact instructor for directions) Class is 6 weeks long. Cost $75.00
To register contact Sara Middleton.
Download application for FUNdamental Class.
AGILITY SKILLS AND THRILLS...CONFIDENCE ON THE EQUIPMENT
First Dog Sports will be offering Agility Skills and Thrills...dogs will be introduced to agility obstacles and owners will be taught concepts that will bring out your dog's enthusiasm for agility equipment. Dogs will be introduced to the Dog Walk, the Teeter, the A Frame with emphasis on positive training and correct performance of these obstacles. We will also introduce the tunnel, the chute, and the tire jump. Other obstacles may be included also. The goal of this class is for the dogs to successfully complete each obstacle individually. Foundations In Agility or similar foundations class may be required for this class. (Instructor approval necessary) The instructors at First Dog Sports have over the years found that as trainers we push our dogs to do too much too soon. Agility is as much a mental sport as it is a physical sport, and a stress free dog will be a much more willing partner in any dog sport!
Agility Skills and Thrills will be held on Thursdays 5:30-7:00pm beginning Thursday May 6. Location: Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex, Pinetop-Lakeside To register contact Debbie Maerker Class is 8 weeks long. Cost $60. (Checks are payable to Pinetop-Lakeside Parks and Recreation.)
Download application for Agility Skills and Thrills class.
ON THE MOVE...SEQUENCING OBSTACLES
Coming this summer, On The Move will teach you skills needed to negotiate an agility course. Excercises will focus on small sequences of obstacles and will include skills such as
Front and Rear Cross, Out and Here, and Directional Commands.
This class may be combined with Agility Skills and Thrills for this session only.
Class will be held Thursday 5:30-7:00pm beginning Thursday May 6. Location: Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex, Pinetop-Lakeside Class is 8 weeks long. See above Agility Skills and Thrills for Apllication and to Register for class.