Level 0: Pre-Agility Games

Cost: $80

Length: 8 weeks

Prerequisites: Dogs must be at least 16 weeks or older and must not display aggression towards other dogs or people. This class is NOT required (but encouraged) before taking the Beginner class. It can also be taken to improve focus and impulse control by any dog, even current agility dogs,

Goals: The purpose of the course is to build confidence, motivation, focus and impulse control in the dog and to train the handler in free-shaping behavior. Dog’s will also learn crate games, value for being at handler’s side, targeting, body awareness/balance skills, and some fitness and focus forward exercises. This course is especially helpful if your dog hasn’t had any formal training or is lacking in focus. Because the class focuses on training foundational skills for dog agility, no agility obstacles will be included in class.

Level 1: Beginners

Cost: $150

Length: 8 weeks

Prerequisite: Dog participant is at least 12 months old

This class is for dog-handler teams that are new to the sport of agility. The focus is on obstacle familiarization, confidence building, and foundational focus and handling skills. Class meets for 8 weeks and is typically offered twice a year–in the fall and late winter/early spring.

For all classes after Level 1, dog participants should be able to come to the handler when called, focus on the handler in a distracting environment, and share the class field with other dogs and people safely. A behavior evaluation is required for all dogs to take Level 2 classes and above.

Level 2: Foundation Skills*

Prerequisite:

Either: Successfully completed beginner agility OR be able to demonstrate their familiarity with jumps, hoops, barrels, tunnels, tire jump, dog walk, A-frame, and table. They are not expected to have mastered each piece of equipment listed, but should have a level of competency using each.

Dogs should be comfortable with some unstable surfaces / wobble boards

Dogs should have an understanding of plank work

Description:

This class focuses on understanding reward-based training, building obstacle proficiency (on each piece of equipment) and developing basic handling skills (circle work, call to side, post turns, front crosses, blind crosses and rear crosses) with short sequences (1-5 obstacles).

Level 3: Novice*

Prerequisite:

Dog-handler teams must be able to safely perform most obstacles (other than weave poles and teeter).

Description:

This class focuses on preparing students for entry-level courses in AKC, NADAC, USDAA, and UKI.  This involves sequencing 5-14 obstacles and teaching dog-handler teams to successfully navigate common patterns and challenges like wraps, serpentines, boxes, pinwheels, and discriminations. It may also introduce more advanced challenges such as layering and distance work.

Courses in competition at this level are designed to be smooth and flowing with a couple of handling challenges (discriminations, side changes, etc). They test the dog’s ability to perform the obstacles safely and correctly, the dog’s speed and motivation, and teamwork (handler/dog relationship with physical and verbal cueing).

Level 4: Advanced/Open*

Prerequisite:

Dog-handler teams must be able to safely and independently perform all obstacles. (*except teeter, if they are only competing in NADAC). Dog-handler teams should have earned an entry level (Beginner, Novice, Starters) agility title in at least one venue (AKC, USDAA, NADAC, UKI) or demonstrate an ability to compete at such a level to the instructor.

Description:

The goal of this class is to provide practice opportunity and support for advanced dog-handler teams actively competing in Open level and higher. Handlers practice walking courses and developing, discussing and testing different handling strategies. It is expected that dogs will perform obstacles independently (with no hesitation or overt assistance from the handler). Skills to be developed at this level include side changes, layering, discriminations, distance challenges, backsides and threadles. Competition challenges at this level test the handler’s and dog’s ability to perform the obstacles at a faster pace, and have more directional and distance control.

Level 5: Masters/Elite*

Prerequisite:

Dog-handler teams should have earned an intermediate (Senior/ Open/ or Advanced) agility title in at least one venue (AKC, USDAA, NADAC, UKI) or demonstrate an ability to compete at such a level to the instructor.

Description:

This class would be a practice class for full courses at the master’s level with multiple handling strategies discussed and tested. It will also include proofing methods for independence on a variety of handling skills.

Distance

currently not offered

Prerequisite:

Dog-handler teams must be able to safely sequence 3-5 obstacles and dogs must be under handler control at all times. Dog participants must be able to reliably come to the handler when called, focus on the handler in a distracting environment, and share the class field with other dogs and people safely.

The focus of this class is to teach the dog to work independently, and at a distance from the handler, in a fast and confident manner.

Virtual Trials and Games (Club Members Only)

Prerequisite: Must be a K-9 Xpress member. Teams must be able to safely sequence obstacles and should be under handler control at all times. Members should contact their regular class instructor or the Show-N-Go Instructor if they are unsure if they are qualified for this class.

A full NADAC course may be set for the purpose of recording and submitting to NADAC for title points. Alternatively, games and non-standard classes from other venues (AKC, USDAA, UKI) may also be set.

Wikazri Events Calender

Weather Cancellation Policy

Austin K-9 Xpress agility classes may be canceled due to extreme or unsafe weather conditions, such as rain, lightning, snow, ice, and extreme heat. Instructors, when possible, will post a cancellation notice to the club email list.

Heat cancellations: If, at two hours before class time, the temperature or heat index is 100ºF or above, classes will be cancelled.

For information on field temperature, the training instructors will refer to the Weather Underground website.  When there is a question of class being cancelled due to heat, students should refer to this website to confirm if the temperature or heat index has reached the cancellation point (100ºF). Club members are also encouraged to refer to this website when planning to practice at the Wikazri field during hot days. Due to the weather station’s proximity to the field, it is a more accurate reference for field conditions than Camp Mabry and Bergstrom weather stations.