Starting Agility with a WAAG !

Positive and Fun Training Methods
Starting agility at WAAG is structured so that you and your dog learn this sport in a safe and fun environment. We have broken the basics required to learn agility into three eight-week courses- Agility 1, Agility 2 and Agility 3.

The first course, Agility1, teaches the foundation skills required for your dog to safely and efficiently complete agility obstacles. At the end of agility 1 your dog will have great rear-end coordination and strength, will be able to complete tunnels and planks with confidence and will be confident with movement underfoot. Most importantly though you and your dog will be learning to work as a team, your dog will have lots of drive and you will have learned how to shape your dog's behaviour.The second course, Agility2, focuses on building solid contact and weaving behaviour as well as learning how to execute turns to direct your dog around simple sequences of hurdles. At the end of the third course, Agility3, your dog will be able to successfully complete each individual piece of equipment and you will be able to direct your dog safely around short agility courses at speed.

Across the three eight-week courses we use positive reinforcement methods within our training- this means we teach you the handler how to shape your dog's behaviour using rewards. This is easiest with food and toys (if your dog likes food and toys), but can be achieved using whatever your dog finds rewarding. To start with make the food yummy little bite-size pieces of their favourite treat (roast chicken, sausage, cooked liver) and bring their favourite toy. We will teach you how to "mark" a correct behaviour from your dog using a clicker (provided at the first lesson). So where you would normally say "good dog" we will use a click and then reward. The clicker is more neutral than our voice, and is consistent, so it is easy to pair with a reward for the dog. After the dog has learned the behaviour we start to ask for more repetitions before clicking and rewarding which acts to wean down dependence on food for performance. We also teach you how to encourage your dog to play with a toy with you, which easily replaces food as a reward in agility. This form of reward-based training can also be used to teach your dog tricks or obedience.

We welcome all starters who are willing to embrace reward-based methods of training. At WAAG you will be asked to reward your dog with food, toys or both. Please note that if you are uncomfortable with using these forms of rewards in your dog's training then the WAAG Starters' courses may not be suited to you.

So when can you start training?
You can start the foundation class, agility 1, from 6 months of age. However, we don't start training dogs over jumps or contact equipment until they have grown. So 12 months is the minimum age we allow a dog into agility 2 or agility 3. If you have a large dog you would be wise to wait until 15 months before commencing these courses. You may think "but my dog jumps around and on things all the time, I'm sure he'd be okay". However the type of training we do is repetitive and can place strain on growing joints and developing muscle tissue, so we don't want to cause problems later in life such as arthritis, ligament damage or spinal damage. Best to be safe. In the meantime you can help prepare your dog at home by giving them a creative environment: such as running through a box/kid's tunnel, or walking along a plank on low bricks, or on a large square board with a golf ball under the center so that it tips. It is always great to teach them the basics of come, sit, drop, and stay too.

How obedient does my dog need to be?
Much of our training in the starters classes takes part off-lead, so you need to be able to trust your dog to stay close and focussed on you when off-lead and have them come when called. If this is a problem see Susan Garrett's article on the perfect recall account and develop that until it is perfect in a distracting environoment and then come and join us. Your dog also needs to be well socialised around other dogs too.These are the basic requirements of the class, though you will find that the training tools we use will enhance your dogs' responsiveness and obedience. Reward-based training applied with consistency will help you build a strong relationship with your dog.

How fit do I need to be?
You do not need to be a sprinter, marathon runner or triathlete to enjoy agility. Agility handlers come in all sizes, shapes and levels of fitness. If you are over 10 year of age and able to run short distances you can enjoy agility. An 80 year old handler with a lovely Kelpie recently earned some agility titles in Northern Queensland. Importantly though, your dog does need to be an athlete to compete in agility, so it is important that they are fit and healthy. Overweight dogs place extra strain on joints when jumping and weaving, which can result in arthritis and other injuries. So please note that we may refuse entry into Agility2 and Agility3 if your dog is overweight.

How much does the course cost?
Agility1 is an eight-week course that costs $55. You also need an annual membership with WAAG. Membership starts from $15 a year, the regular membership is $25 and there are also dual and family membership rates. See the membership form for pricing details. The Agility 1 course price includes eight weeks tuition, your clicker, some training aids, your training folder, homework sheets and your graduation certificate.

Agility2 is an eight-week course and will advance the skills learned in Agility 1 until you and your dog are able to complete individual obstacles with safety and speed. You need to have successfully completed Agility1 before you can start in this course.The Agility2 course costs $65 for the eight weeks, which includes tuition, some basic equipment to take home and practice with, your homework sheets and your graduation certificate.

Agility3 is an eight-week course and teaches you how to direct your dog around an agility course with speed and accuracy. It costs $50 for the eight weeks, which includes tuition and your graduation certificate.

Participants may save money by packaging Agility1 and Agility2 together with an individual WAAG membership for $120 or by packaging all three starters' courses with an individual WAAG membership for $150. To participate you need to complete a booking form and send it with your class fee before the closing date.It is always advisable to contact Tracey, our secretary, to ensure that the next course has vacancies. Places cannot be reserved without the booking form and course fee.

Upon completion of the three starters' courses you may continue into intermediate classes where we charge a $5 nightly ground fee per handler to cover light costs. Your annual membership also gives you the opportunity to take part in agility demonstrations to the public and compete in the monthly fixtures of the WAAG Dog of the Year competition. You will also receive club newsletters.

What do I need to bring to class?
To be well prepared for your first week of the Agility1 class you need to bring your dog with a flat collar or a halter (not a check chain), a lead, lots of yummy treats in an easy to access pocket or bumbag, a ball / kong / squeeky toy / tug toy etc, a bowl for water and a pen to fill in your notes sheets.

Next step...
Download the Starters pack which includes all the information on this page, a booking form for the starter's courses and the WAAG membership form. Complete the details and send (by snail mail) with the fees to the address on the form. Check the schedule for the next starting date for the Agility 1 class. Also send an email to Tracey to alert her to your interest and to ensure there are vacancies in the next Agility1 course.