-Indicates Class is Closed
  -Indicates Class is Full
  -Indicates Class is Canceled
Note: Application are still accepted when class is full. Students will be added to the wait list.

Agility Classes (Summer 2025)

Day

Time

Class

Instructor

Monday

June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14

9:00am-10:00am

Advanced Agility outdoors(limit 6)

Susan Bankauf , Jeane Bock

June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14

10:30am-11:30am

Weaves and Contacts outdoors (limit 6)

Paula Buchma

June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14

12:00pm-1:00pm

Agility Team Foundation indoors (limit 6)

Paula Buchma, Pam Robbins

June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14

6:30pm-7:30pm

Introduction to Agility indoors (limit 6)

Laurence Gesquiere, Julia Trimmer, Ruth Schiller

Tuesday

June 10, 17, 24 July 1, 8, 15

9:00am--10:00am

Novice Agility outdoors (limit 6)

Nancy Jenkins

June 10, 17, 24 July 1, 8, 15

10:30am-11:30am

Open/Intermediate Agility outdoors (limit 6)

Kim Sector

June 10, 17, 24 July 1, 8, 15

5:45pm-6:45pm

ISC/Premiere outdoors(limit 6)

Greg Fontaine

Wednesday

June 11, 18, 25 July 2, 9, 16

6:30pm-7:30pm

Handling  and Distance outdoors(limit 6)

Paula Buchma

Thursday

June 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17, 24

9:00am-10:00am

Advanced/Excellent outdoors (limit 6)

Penny Leigh

June 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17, 24

10:30am-11:30am

Masters outdoors (limit 6)

Penny Leigh

VERY IMPORTANT – We understand that in the agility setting, dogs do get excited and may on occasion lunge at or chase other dogs that are running.  However, if any dog willfully attacks a human or another dog while in class, you will be asked to leave and may not return with that dog.

Classes fill very quickly and space is limited – please either submit your application online with payment, or return your application and a check made payable to DKC as soon as possible.  If you need

Note: Durham Kennel Club reserves the right to cancel class if a minimum of dogs is not reached a week before start of class.

 

DURHAM KENNEL CLUB AGILITY CLASS INFORMATION

 


Agility Foundation Skills - Required for all first time agility students.

Prerequisite: Dogs do not need to have any agility experience dogs should have basic obedience skills: sit, down, come.

This is an indoor class designed to increase your dog’s engagement and desire to work with you. You will learn how to improve your dog’s drive while increasing his self control and focus. We use games and exercises that are both fun and educational. This class is a combination of obedience and introduction to agility.
To move up to Introduction to Agility: dogs should be responsive to their handlers, have some self control and a good recall. .


Introduction to Agility

Prerequisite:dogs must have completed the Agility Foundation class or have instructors approval.

This class is indoors and builds on the Agility Foundation class. This includes learning about basic handling cues, contact obstacles, weave pole training and start line behavior. The goal is that you and your dog establish a better understanding of agility and begin working as a cohesive team.
To move up to Contacts & Weaves 1 or Handling & Distance 1: dogs must be confident on the equipment, be responsive to their handler when off leash, have a reliable recall and a start stay behavior.


Contacts & Weaves Level 1

Prerequisite:dogs must have completed the Introduction to Agility class or have instructors approval.

This class is outside and builds on and establishes your dog’s contact behavior on the A-Frame, Dog Walk and Teeter. Also, this class continues your dog’s weave pole training and introduces distance. To move up to Novice: handlers must also complete Handling & Distance 1, have their dogs under control off leash in the ring, understand and have a reliable contact behavior and be able to do six weave poles with channels or 2X2’s.


Handling & Distance Level 1

Prerequisite:dogs must have completed the introduction to Agility class or have instructors approval.

This class is outside and adds longer sequence into your dog’s training. Students will learn the crosses necessary to complete an agility course. This class also includes Handler vs Obstacle focus, which teaches your dog to drive independently to obstacles but also to keep a connection with the handler. To move up to Novice: handlers must also complete Contacts & Weaves 1, have their dogs under control off leash in the ring, be able to do short sequences, understand and execute basic handling skills.


Novice Agility

Prerequisite: handlers and dogs must complete the Contacts and Weaves and the Distance Handling classes or have instructors approval. They must be able to navigate all agility obstacles, do six weave poles and perform sequences under control.

This class is outside and teaches the handling skills and the strategy necessary to complete Novice level courses. It will reinforce and continue your weave poles and contact obstacle skills and build on your handling ability. To move up to Intermediate: handlers and dogs must have a good working relationship, be able to do 6 weave poles fully upright while training for 12 poles, run longer sequences of 10 obstacles, perform all contacts with a reliable end behavior and execute the different kinds of crosses.


Agility Unleashed

Prerequisite:Dogs should be able to demonstrate basic obedience skills such as sit, stay and come. Dogs do not need to have any agility experience.

This class is held indoors. This class will focus on you and your dog working without a leash. A good training relationship with your dog will reduce incidents of running off, sniffing or visiting other dogs. This class is a great foundation for any agility classes


Puppy Agility

Prerequisite:Puppies should know their names and respond to basic commands.

This class is held indoors and/or outdoors. It is appropriate for any puppy under 1 year old that you want to get started correctly. We will teach your pup the skills needed to excel at agility and other dog sports. These include tricks, communication, fitness, body awareness and focus. This reward-based training will be fun for you and your new puppy.


Intermediate/Open Agility

Prerequisite:: Dogs should have completed the Novice Agility Class and be proficient on the contact obstacles and weave poles

This class is held outdoors. It builds on the skills learned in the Novice Agility class. Teams will train towards novice/open level competition. Sequences will be longer leading to full courses. Handling challenges will be appropriate for open level competition.

To move up to Advanced Agility, teams must be able to run sequences of 16+ obstacles, have closed weave poles, and perform all obstacles and execute the different crosses.


Advanceced/Excellent Agility

Prerequisite:Dogs should have completed at least a novice title or have Instructor approval.

This class is held outdoors. It prepares teams for open/excellent competitions. Sequences will be longer, and the skills needed will be more advanced. Different handling options will be discussed and executed to help each team to be their best.


Masters Agility

Prerequisite:Dogs should have completed at least an open title or have Instructor approval.

This class is held outdoors. The courses presented will be harder, requiring more advanced handling skills. You will run full courses. Different handling options will be discussed and executed to discover what is the best option for your team and get the most efficient lines for your team.


Premier/ISC Agility

Prerequisite:Dogs should have completed at least an excellent title or have Instructor approval.

This class is held outdoors. It is geared for the agility team that wants to go further with their training. You will run more difficult courses containing backsides, threadless and other challenges found in Premier and International style courses.