Beginning Sequencing & Handling

6 one-hour sessions PREREQUISITE: Beginning Obstacle Skills Go to list of all courses to learn more about prerequisite class(es)

If you think that agility has been fun up to this point, hold on to your hat – the fun will be off the charts once you start to do some sequencing and handling. Now that your dog has learned a few obstacle skills, you will be introduced to basic handling skills, such as acceleration/deceleration cues, body positioning, and basic crosses/turns. Your dog will learn how to recognize and follow basic cues from you, the handler, to complete a sequence of three to four obstacles

Special Notes: The skills in this class are done off leash and concentrate more on the human half of the team

This class is best suited for:  those who want to continue with agility to learn how the handler maneuvers a dog through short sequences.

Min/Max Enrollment:  4/8

Bring the Following to Class:
- Flat Buckle Collar (with no tags)
- 4-6 foot leash (no flexi-leashes please)
- Water and water dish
- Small, tasty, treats which are easy for the dog to see when tossed on the floor (such as string cheese, peanut butter Captain Crunch cereal, hot dogs, cheese balls, etc.)
- Toys which your dog enjoys (tug toys, balls, etc.)
- A pouch or deep pockets for easy access to treats

You will learn:
- to identify the 7 elements of handling
- how to reward your dog depending on whether they are obstacle-focused or handler-focused
- how to use sending skills and lateral distance skills to your advantage
- when and how to indicate acceleration and deceleration
- when to add verbal cues
- how to perform basic turns and crosses (post-turn, front cross, blind cross, rear cross)

Your dog will learn:
- to follow handler’s body language
- to work at a further distance from the handler
- how to drive ahead of the handler when cued
- to distinguish acceleration and deceleration cues
- to take direction from handler to complete a sequence of three to four obstacles
- how to complete jumps in pinwheel layout
- how to read basic crosses and turns on the flat