What is AKC Agility
AKC Agility is one of the fastest growing dog sports in the USA!
Agility is a sport that appeals to all dog lovers - from young people to senior citizens. It has great spectator appeal. Agility is designed to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work with its handler in a variety of situations. It is an athletic event that requires conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork. Dog and handlers negotiate an obstacle course racing against the clock.
The AKC offers a variety of competitive classes. The Standard Class, includes contact objects such as the dog walk, the A-frame, and seesaw. Each of the contact obstacles has a "safety zone" painted on the object and the dog must place at least one paw in that area to complete the obstacle. Another is Jumpers with Weaves. It has only jumps, tunnels and weaves poles with no contact objects. Another competition class is FAST, which stands for Fifteen and Send Time. This class is designed to test handler and dog teams' strategy skill, accuracy, speed and distance handling.
All classes offer increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles. After completing both an Excellent Standard title and an Excellent Jumpers title, handler and dog teams can compete for the MACH - faster than the speed of sound! (Master Agility Championship title.)
AKC agility is available to every registerable breed as well as mixed breed dogs. From tiny Yorkshire Terriers to giant Irish Wolfhounds, the dogs run the same course with adjustments in the expected time and jump height. The classes are divided by jump heights in order to make the competition equal between the different sizes of dogs.
Agility classes are available to those who qualify for Advanced classes only. Due to safety and space considerations, there are strict rules governing the number of dogs allowed in class and their prior level of training.
Members must pre-register for agility classes by signing up in the Agility Lottery. If more people sign up than there are spots available in a class, there is a lottery drawing. The list is posted in the Member section of the website to notify them of the results of the lottery. Members who are not selected for a particular class are guaranteed a spot in the next class if they pre-register for the next session and note their name was not drawn the previous session. The full rules and regulations are explained in the club Handbook.
In order to take an agility class, dogs must be at least 10 months old and have completed obedience classes through at least the beginning novice level or its equivalent. They must have off leash control and have no aggression towards other dogs or people. Dogs entering basic foundation classes will have to pass a basic control test on night one to insure they are ready to begin their agility career.
The equipment needed for an agility class includes a buckle or quick release collar (with no tags attached), a lead, a tab (of the appropriate length and with no looped ends) and treats or toys for motivation. Training collars are not allowed in agility. The agility classes are broken down into levels, through Level 6. A brief description of each class appears below and again, full descriptions are available in the Handbook. In order to move up to the next class level, a dog must demonstrate proficiency (to the instructor’s satisfaction) at the previous
| Agility Weaves |
This class is one of three required foundation classes to be taken before going on to Level 1. This class will teach the owner how to train the dog to perform weaves with precision. This class may be taken at any time. This class may be taken at the same time as Handling or Equipment classes. THINGS YOU WILL LEARN - Weave entrances Consistent weave performance |
| Agility Handling |
This class is one of three required foundation classes to be taken before going on to Level 1. This class will do flatwork learning to perform jumps and tunnels. Dogs will learn to start working away from the handler and take directions, both verbal and visual. Dogs must be able to work off leash with other dogs in the ring. This class can NOT be taken at the same time as Equipment, but may be taken along with Weaves. THINGS YOU WILL LEARN Performance of different jumps/tunnels Body language in regards to jumping and moving from one jump to another The jumping terminology Start line stay |
| Agility Equipment |
This class is one of three required foundation classes to be taken before going on to Level 1. This class will work on all agility equipment including teeter, a-frame, and dog walk. Dogs will learn to perform all obstacles using the 2-on-2 off method aka 2o2o (optional 4 on or 4 on the floor). This class can NOT be taken at the same time as Handling, but may be taken along with Weaves. THINGS YOU WILL LEARN Learn the 2o2o method starting with travel boards Learn targets Learn correct handler positioning Learn correct obstacle performance |
| Agility Level I |
THE GOAL - Continues the foundations work. Dogs must have successfully completed Weaves, Handling, and Equipment prior to starting this class or be tested by the DOT or designee prior to signing up for class. Again, control and focus are very important as they are through all the levels. All the obstacles and jumps will be used. Targeting is continued. Handling is started on the obstacles in conjunction with jumps. THINGS YOU WILL LEARN -
|
| Agility Level II |
THE GOAL - Must have graduated Level 1 or be tested by DOT or designee prior to signing up for class. This class will build on Level 1. The Goal is to be able to perform each obstacle confidently without handler assistance and have the ability to run sets of several obstacles.
|
| Agility Level III |
THE GOAL - Dogs must have taken Level 2 or be tested by DOT or designee prior to signing up for class. Practice obstacles, turns and crosses in sets of more than 4 obstacles with more than one handling move included. Keep dog’s focus through longer sets. Keeping the 2-on 2-off and targeting going. Should start seeing some switching between obstacle and handler focus. Start asking for some distance both forward sends and laterals. THINGS YOU WILL LEARN -
|
| Agility Level IV |
THE GOAL - Must have completed Level 3 or be tested by the DOT or designee prior to signing up for class. The purpose is to prepare dogs and handlers to compete at the Novice level or above in AKC.
|
| Agility Level V |
THE GOAL - Must have completed Level 4 or be tested by the DOT or designee prior to signing up for class. The purpose is to prepare dogs and handlers to compete at the Open level or above in AKC. THINGS YOU WILL LEARN -
|
| Agility Level VI | THE GOAL - to attempt extremely difficult sequences from actual competition courses using group analysis and experimentation. |
We teach you to train your dog! |