DESCRIPTION: Rally classes will help prepare the handler/dog team to compete competitively in Rally with precision and accuracy. This class will cover Rally levels - Advanced, Excellent and Master. These levels require that the dog work off-leash. There will be instruction on how to perform the various exercises and strategies for achieving the highest possible scores.  Students can apply these strategies to each week's practice courses. Two or three courses will be worked each week.  Participation in AKC trials is not required, but encouraged.

Visit the American Kennel Club website for a more detailed description of rally (www.akc.org/events/rally/) and rally course stations (www.akc.org/rules/). 

PREREQUISITE:

• Ready to compete in the upper Rally Levels (Advanced, Excellent, Master) 
• Instructor's permission;
• Student should be very familiar with the Novice through Advanced Rally signs

WHAT TO BRING:

• Copy of vaccination records
• 4-6 ft leash
• Buckle collar
• Variety of small, easy to eat treats
• Students should bring a portable crate to use when walking the courses.   

REGISTRATION PRIORITY: Early Registration priority will be granted to students in the previous session (same day/time/instructor) of this class.

DESCRIPTION:  This class continues to build on the nosework team's search skills in all search elements -- containers, interiors, exteriors, buried, handler discrimination and vehicles.  This class is LEVEL FIVE of a six level series.  Buried and Handler discrimination searches will be included if majority of class have an interest in these specialized searches. The complexity of the searches will gradually become more difficult -- some examples: converging odor, inaccessible hides, multiple vehicles of all types, channeling, elevated hides, exterior searches utilizing all weather conditions etc. 

PREREQUISITES: (one or more of the following

• Successful completion of Scentwork Beginning Continuing
• Instructor permission

WHAT TO BRING: 

• Copy of vaccination records
• Buckle collar or harness
• Variety of soft treats
• Crate for your dog
• 6 ft leash and 8-12 ft long line

DESCRIPTION: This class is designed for teams competing in or ready to compete in Novice.  Skills to be covered include: full height jumps and contacts; increasing the length and difficulty of sequences; consistently performing 12 weave poles independently; practicing contacts with the chosen end criteria. 

PREREQUISITES:

• Successful completion of Agility Maneuvers
• Solid sit stay and/or down stay
• Solid recall when exposed to distractions
• Able to perform full height jumps and contacts
• Able to successfully complete 12 weave poles 
• Able perform a multiple obstacle sequence 

WHAT TO BRING:

• Buckle collar
• 4-6 foot leash
• Variety of hard treats (that do not crumb easily)
• Crate for the dog when not working on course
• Extra pair of clean shoes to be used when training on the turf

COURSE PROGRESSION:

• Agility Foundations 1
• Agility Foundations 2
• Agility Beginning Handling
• Agility Maneuvers
• Novice
• Open
• Excellent/Master
• Premier

REGISTRATION PRIORITY: Early Registration Priority will be granted to students in the previous session (same day/time/instructor) of this class.

DESCRIPTION: Continuation of skills learned in Novice 2.  Increase to full distance and increased level of proofing, as appropriate. Continued emphasis on precision of Novice exercises.  Introduction of off-leash heeling. If time permits, introduction of Open-level skills of retrieving and jumping and Utility signals. Class can be repeated.

 PREREQUISITE: (one or more of the following)

• Novice 2 or equivalent;
• Instructor approval.

 WHAT TO BRING:

• Copy of vaccination records; 
• 4-6 ft leash;
• Buckle collar; 
• Variety of small, easy to eat treats.

DESCRIPTION: The Novice or Open exercises are not “taught” in these classes. When offered, these classes expect that handler/dog team has completed all necessary training for the exercises at the level and only needs additional proofing/practice opportunities. A proofing/practice class may cover more than one level in same class.

 PREREQUISITE: (at least one of the following)

• Successful completion of Novice; 
• Competing at the Novice (CD) level;
• Instructor approval.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Copy of vaccination records;
• 4-6 ft leash; buckle collar;
• Variety of small, easy to eat treats.
• Dumbell sized to specific dog.

DESCRIPTION:  Many begin exhibiting in the Obedience ring after doing Rally, although both can be done simultaneously.  This class will begin to prepare the team for competition obedience, as well as develop a close relationship between the handler and dog. Foundation for the Novice and Beginner Novice exercises are introduced.  Emphasis is placed on motivation and attention. Introduction to sit, down, stand, stay, recall, fronts, finishes, and heeling (position and attention). Class can be repeated.  As in Rally, exposure to the Beginner Novice signs and Sit-Stay-Walk-Around-The-Ring exercise will be covered.

PREREQUISITE: 

• Successful completion of 5-12 Puppy class or Household I equivalent and/or competition-experienced handler.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Copy of vaccination records;
• 4-6 ft leash; buckle collar;
• Variety of small, easy to eat treats.

DESCRIPTION: Scent Work is a fun sport based on work done by real-world detection dogs. Instead of locating drugs or explosives, Scent Work uses four essential oils – birch, anise, clove, and cypress – to find different target scents that can be hidden anywhere. The role of the handler is not to direct, but to assist, the dog. This is a wonderful way to build confidence, is great for stimulating your dog’s mind, and is enjoyed by all dogs whether young or old.

This class develops your dog’s desire to use his sense of smell to search/hunt independently. Your dog will learn to recognize and search boxes for his reward both on and off leash. Also to search for his reward outside of boxes as his skills develop. Handlers will learn to read your dog’s behavior and will learn to recognize hunting/searching behavior versus behavior when the dog has found the source.  This class uses primary rewards (food or toy) as the target odor.

PREREQUISITES:    

• Successful completion of Household I or equivalent

WHAT TO BRING: 

• Copy of vaccination records
• Buckle collar or harness
• Variety of soft treats
• Crate for dog when not training
• 6ft leash and 8-12 ft long line

DESCRIPTION:  This class continues to build on the nosework team's search skills in search elements -- containers, interiors, exteriors and vehicles. This class is LEVEL SIX of a six level series. It is intended for dogs preparing for NACSW NW2 and NW3/Elite Competition (or AKC/UKC Superior, Masters and Elite Levels) The complexity of the searches will gradually become more difficult with larger search areas. Searches will include converging odor inaccessible hides, channeling, elevated hides, exterior searches utilizing all weather conditions, timed searches with an unknown number of hides, and searches with Blank or Clear rooms. 

PREREQUISITES: (one or more of the following

• Successful completion of Scentwork - Continuing Intermediate
• Instructor permission

WHAT TO BRING:  

• Copy of vaccination records
• Buckle collar or harness
• Variety of soft treats
• Crate for your dog
• 6 ft leash and 8-12 long line