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TCOTC Agility Program Class Descriptions
TCOTC’s agility program is designed to prepare you to compete in AKC agility trials as well as other venues such as NADAC and CPE. We also welcome dog and handler teams that are simply looking for a fun way to stay fit and active or accomplish other personal goals. Starting with Foundation Agility and continuing through Advanced Agility, each class is designed to build on skills acquired in previous classes.
Below is a brief description of each class. If you are new to agility, you should start with Foundation Agility. To learn more about Foundation Agility please return to the Agility Program page. If you have at least 6 months of agility training with your current dog at a different facility and would like to enroll in a class at the Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced level, please complete this skills assessment and we will recommend a class for you. Questions? Contact us at office@tcotc.com.
AGILITY FOUNDATIONS 1
In this class, dog and handler teams will build the basic skills needed for agility, including wobble board, plank, perch/target send, back up on to wide board, cones for handling, toy play, and similar skills.
Prerequisites: Dog and handler must have previously and successfully completed the TCOTC Competition Bedrock class with the approval to advance to Foundations 1 from that instructor.
Teams should expect to spend two sessions (or more) in this class; some teams may move more quickly, but the more time spent learning the Foundations, the more success they will have at higher levels!
AGILITY FOUNDATIONS 2
In this class, dog and handler teams will build on the skills from the Foundations 1 class. Agility equipment (jumps, A-frame, etc.) will be introduced at low height. Handling skills (crosses, positions) and weave methods will be introduced.
Prerequisites: Dog and handler must have previously and successfully completed the Foundations 1 class, with the approval to advance to Foundations 2 from that instructor. Other applicants, having done foundations elsewhere, may be accepted into this class (if there is an open roster spot) with a completed skills application and a scheduled in-person evaluation. To learn more and to request a skills evaluation for class placement, please contact us at office@tcotc.com.
Teams should expect to spend two sessions (or more) in this class; some teams may move more quickly, but the more time spent learning the Foundations, the more success they will have at higher levels!
AGILITY FOUNDATIONS 3
This Foundations course will prepare you and your dog for Beginner Agility. Outcomes include training on full height contacts, learning weaves, and increasing sequence lengths and complexity.
Prerequisites: Dog and handler must have previously and successfully completed the Foundations 2 class, with the approval to advance to Foundations 3 from that instructor. Other applicants, having done foundations elsewhere, may be accepted into this class (if there is an open roster spot) with a completed skills application and a scheduled in-person evaluation. To learn more and to request a skills evaluation for class placement, please contact us at office@tcotc.com.
Teams should expect to spend two sessions (or more) in this class; some teams may move more quickly, but the more time spent learning the Foundations, the more success they will have at higher levels!
BEGINNER AGILITY
In the Beginner Agility class, teams will continue to progress from their Foundations. Contacts will be at full height, and dogs should be jumping their full height. Dogs electing to jump lower than their measured height are allowed; however, this class focuses on sequencing and not jump skills. Fully trained weave poles are not required and will be trained in this class. TCOTC suggests handlers also take advantage of open ring time and weave classes to continue training and proofing. Short sequences will be performed with basic handling. This class will prepare teams to compete in AKC ACT tests and the novice level of any agility organization.
Prerequisites: Dog and handler must have previously and successfully completed the Foundations 3 class, with the approval to advance to Beginner from that instructor. Other applicants, having done foundations elsewhere, may be accepted into this class (if there is an open roster spot) with a completed skills application and a scheduled in-person evaluation. To learn more and to request a skills evaluation for class placement, please contact us at office@tcotc.com.
INTERMEDIATE AGILITY
Longer sequences will be performed along with more complex handling. Special skills will be introduced, such as distance handling, obstacle discrimination, and more complicated sequences. Additional skills to prepare teams to compete in Open/Advanced and move to Excellent/Masters level of any organization will be taught.
Prerequisites: Dog and handler must have previously and successfully completed the Beginner Agility class, with the approval to advance to Intermediate from that instructor. Dogs must be on all full height contacts and be able to do 6 closed weave poles. Other applicants (having done agility classes elsewhere, etc.) may be accepted into this class with an in-person evaluation scheduled. To learn more and to request a skills evaluation for class placement, please contact us at office@tcotc.com.
ADVANCED AGILITY
In this class, full courses or drills will be offered with an emphasis on handling. This class is best for teams who are competing at the Open/Advanced level or above in any organization, or experienced handlers with green dogs who can do full height obstacles and 12 weaves. Instructors may have expertise in special skills (distance, international) and class exercise will reflect that.
Prerequisites: Dog and handler must have previously and successfully completed the Intermediate Agility class, with the approval to advance to Intermediate from that instructor. Dogs must be on full height contacts and weave 12 poles closed. Other applicants (having done agility classes elsewhere, etc.) may be accepted into this class with an in-person evaluation scheduled. To learn more and to request a skills evaluation for class placement, please contact us at office@tcotc.com.
Current Agility Class Schedule
Monday
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Advanced – Julia Torgersen
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Intermediate – Julia Torgersen, Chelsey O’Connor
8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.: Speciality Class
Tuesday
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Advanced – Katie Brittan, Julia Torgersen
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.: Beginner – Katie Brittan, Julia Torgersen
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Advanced – Luann Tillman
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Intermediate – Paula Sotirin
5:45 p.m. – 6:45 pm.: Beginner – Paula Sotirin
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Intermediate – Lisa Nawrocki, LaDonna Kool
8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.: Beginner – Ladonna Kool, Lisa Nawrocki
Wednesday
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Advanced – Anna Imbertson
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Beginner – Anna Imbertson
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Intermediate – Christina Wessel, Kristi Flynn
8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: Beginner – Hannah Schewe
Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Advanced – Marsha LeDuc
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Agility for Fun 1 – Chelsey O’Connor
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.: Agility for Fun 2 – Chelsey O’Connor
5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.: Advanced – Alexis Erickson
5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.: Foundations 1 – Paul Johnson
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Foundations 1 – Paul Johnson
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Foundations 2 – Anitra Francis, Lisa Nawrocki
8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.: Foundations 2 – Anitra Francis, Lisa Nawrocki