Our next round of classes will begin on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Registration will open on Saturday, December 21st at 7pm (and class spots go quickly so be ready to register at that time!). To be informed of upcoming sessions, follow us on Facebook, check our website, or join our email list.
NEW FOR 2025: We're now offering drop-in (where space allows) and auditing spots for classes! Members: $15 per drop-in, non-members: $25. Auditors (both members and non-members): $25 for the entire session or $5 per drop-in. Limit of 3 auditors per class; email classes@lowcountrydogagility.com if you are interested.
The first class you register for is Foundation for Agility I. Classes are one hour per week and meet weekly for 6 weeks. The cost is $130 for non-members, $80 for members (membership details found here). Dogs must be friendly to other dogs and people.
If you have any questions, please email us at classes@lowcountrydogagility.com.
Training Class Registration
To register, click on the class name in the schedule below and follow the steps. Non-members do NOT need to log into the website to register; there will be a step during registration where you can look up or create an account. Please note there are limited spots available in our classes and that Foundation I fills VERY quickly so be ready at the stated time to register.
Winter 2025 Class Schedule
Saturday
10:00-11:00am Backyard Dogs with Erin
Sunday
9:00-10:00am Foundation for Agility 2 & 3 Combo with Marion, Regina, and Ericka (both fields)
10:30-11:30am Foundation for Agility 1 with Marion, Regina, and Ericka** (both fields)
12:00-1:00pm Foundation Skills Building with LeAnne (back field, no class Jan 19 and 26)
Monday
6:00-7:00pm Masters Coursework with Beth and Cindy F
7:15-8:15pm Starters/Advanced Skills and Drills with Arlene and Annie (both fields)
Tuesday
6:30-7:30pm Foundation for Agility 1 with Juli T, Lori, and Nancy** (back field)
7:45-8:45pm Starters Coursework with Distance with Juli T and Nancy (both fields)
Wednesday
6:30-7:30pm Jokers Wild with Lori
7:45-8:45pm Foundation for Agility 1 with Juli T and Jessica** (back field)
7:45-8:45pm Can You Handle It? with Cindy C
Thursday
7:00-8:00pm Masters Coursework for Advanced Handlers with Tami
8:15-9:15pm Masters Coursework with Sheila
**10 month minimum age recommendation for Foundation for Agility I.
Training Class Descriptions
Please note that not all classes will be offered every session.
Beginner Classes
Foundation for Agility I
This class will emphasize FOCUS! We will concentrate on simple exercises to increase your dog’s desire to keep an eye on you. We will work on basic obedience skills including the sit, down, come, and stay commands. Other topics include loose lead walking, going around an object, offering a jump, committing to a tunnel, contact target work, handler and dog turns.
Prerequisites: Dogs must have had some sort of prior training (puppy, CGC, basic training), be friendly to other dogs and people, and be 10 months old.
Foundation for Agility II
Dog and handler teams will learn the basic commands for and how to negotiate the agility obstacles. The goal is for the canine partner to learn how to negotiate most obstacles on their own.
Prerequisites: Must have completed Foundation for Agility I.
Foundation for Agility III
Foundation for Agility III will continue to grow the dog's understanding of the various equipment that includes contact equipment (a-frame, dog walk, teeter) as well as jumps and tunnels to ensure proficiency. Teams will begin running short sequences.
Prerequisites: Must have previous training on contact equipment and completed a Foundation for Agility II class.
Foundations Skills Building
Each week teams will work on exercises (games) using cones and tunnels to build skills that will enhance handler knowledge and the dog’s understanding in a positive fun environment. Handlers will learn about timing, cueing, connection, commitment, motion, body position, and fluidity. We'll teach dogs extension, collection, drive, distance skills, independent obstacle performance, bypass skills, dog’s line, forward focus, and layering.
Prerequisites: Foundation for Agility II/III students that have successfully graduated Foundation for Agility I. Young dog handlers interested in building foundation skills. This is an optional class for those motivated handlers that want to focus on handling skills that are going to be essential for teams as they move through the basic-advanced-master level skill sets.
Starters Classes
Can You Handle It?
This class will focus on teaching the most common handling techniques you’ll encounter on course. Your team will learn the basics of each skill: footwork, body position, connection, and commitment. How and when to choose each skill, communicate with your partner, and develop proficiency in short sequences and drills. Handling techniques will include: front, rear and blind crosses, lap and tandem turns, forced front cross, German turn, running on the dog’s line, and reverse wrap. We will introduce verbal cues as appropriate.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Foundation for Agility I, II, and III (or with permission of instructors).
On the Line!
Focus on safe handling lines and techniques, identifying the dog’s line, and the importance of start lines. This class is intended to prepare new handlers for trials and will focus on safety on the field. Each game will be introduced. Courses will be Beginner/Advanced setups.
Prerequisites: Dogs must be proficient on all obstacles and focused on the handler. Weaves are optional. Successful completion of Foundation for Agility I, II, and III (or with permission of instructors).
Skill Drills - Handling, Contacts, and Weaves
This class offers jump and tunnel sequences to learn and hone your handling skills, and targeted practice on contacts (teeter, dog walk, and a-frame) and weaves. The goal is to increase your dog’s understanding of their physical criteria on contacts and increase independent contact and weave performance. Sequence and contact/weave challenges will be presented for beginner through advanced teams – you may work at your team's experience level.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Foundation for Agility I, II, and III. No prior weave experience required.
Intro to Distance Handling
With agility courses becoming more complex, having your dog efficiently perform obstacles independently and at a distance is an important skill. This class will focus on skills needed to begin handling your dog at a distance. Skills learned include focus forward, verbals, layering, discriminations, and obstacle bypass cues. We will use small sequences with primarily jumps and tunnels.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Handling 101/Can You Handle It? or the equivalent. Teams should have a start line stay and/or be comfortable with dog being held at the start line.
Starters Coursework
This class will take things a step further, focusing on the usage of techniques learned in our handling classes to navigate full agility courses, with all obstacles being used. This class will contain sequences focused on handling and obstacle skills required for the green dog getting ready or just starting to compete. Courses will have approximately 14 obstacles in a sequence.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of an LCDA handling class. Knowledge of basic handling skills, and can perform all obstacles, including weave poles (if you need to use wires or other training aids on the weaves, that is fine).
Introduction to Weaves
This is an introduction to weaves. We will be training the channel weave method with guide wires. We recommend purchasing a starter set to use at home.
Prerequisites: Must have completed Foundation for Agility III. Your dog must be able to work around other dogs since several dogs will be working at a time. Dogs should be at least one year of age.
Intermediate Classes
USDAA Games
This class will introduce those new to both agility and USDAA to the fun games of USDAA; consider this a trial prep class. We will have 2 sessions dedicated to each of the following games: Gamblers, Snooker, and Pairs. We will explore the rules of the games, handling, and game strategies. This class is also a trial prep class. There will be a "judge" along with ring crew and other positions. All courses will be Starters/Advanced level courses.
Prerequisites: Dogs must be proficient on all obstacles and focused on the handler. Weaves are preferred but not required. We will not be addressing obstacle performance issues in this class. Successful completion of Foundation for Agility I, II, and III AND an LCDA handling class is required.
Advanced Coursework
This class will focus on developing and executing handling plans for a variety of courses that incorporate various handling challenges, including distance handling, off-course distractions, and obstacle discrimination. A variety of courses will be used (e.g. jumpers, standard, steeplechase, or Grand Prix style) to provide teams the opportunity to improve their skills and learn the basic differences in these competition courses.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of basic handling skills and experience handling medium length (10-12 obstacle) and/or full length courses.
UKI Skills & Drills
This class will focus on learning some of the skills needed to compete on UKI courses. The following will be covered using short sequences: layering, distance, discrimination and verbal cues.
Prerequisites: Advanced level teams only. Dogs should be proficient on all obstacles.
Jokers Wild
This class will focus on challenges seen on advanced and masters level courses. Each week we will work a skill-set such as finding the best/fastest line, difficult weave entries, backsides, gamblers/distance, and so on. Some weeks will be full coursework, other weeks will be shorter sequences.
Prerequisites: Handlers must ready to have their skills tested and dogs must be proficient on all obstacles, including weaves.
Backyard Dogs
This class will focus on drills that include a full range of handling challenges. This will include weave and tunnel entrances and a variety of jump skills (backsides, slices, wraps, serpentines, and so on).
Prerequisites: Dogs must be proficient on all obstacles and focused on the handler. Other than that, dogs competing at all levels are welcome.
Masters Coursework for Advanced Handlers
This class will focus on bringing the advanced handler to the next level by running master’s level courses. Breaking down the course while developing and executing handling plans for a variety of courses that incorporate various challenges: including distance handling, off-course distractions, and obstacle discrimination. A variety of courses will be used (e.g. jumpers, standard, steeplechase, or Grand Prix style) to provide teams with the opportunity to improve their skills and learn the basic differences in these competition courses.
Prerequisites: Currently competing at the advanced standard level (or equivalent in UKI or other agility venues).
Masters Classes
Masters Coursework
This class is intended to challenge masters level teams with masters/international style courses that require the handler to think about the most efficient and comprehensive path for the dog. Each class will allow teams to run full courses of both Jumpers and Standard style, with the option to also practice skills used in games classes such as Gamblers and Snooker.
Prerequisites: Teams entering this class must be competing in Masters/PIII Standard, however, exceptions may be made if a student has permission from the instructor.
Challenger's Coursework
This class is for Master level handlers who want to push their teams on International Style Courses. You will be working ISC 2/3 and UKI Master Series/Biathlon and Champion level builds. Discuss, analyze, and apply advanced handling techniques to optimize the best lines for your dogs.
Prerequisites: Dogs must be safe and competent on all equipment.
Please note that all dogs on the premises must be current on vaccinations, as recommended by their veterinarian.