Classes Offered for March/April 2020

• CNW - Contacts and Weaves

  In this class, contact and weaving skills taught will be geared to advancing the dog on to one of the advanced classes. Specific attention will be given to fast and accurate contact work, using (primarily) the targeting method. Contact and weave stations and sequence exercises will be used. This class can and should be taken in conjunction with either Handling I or one of the Intermediate classes. Please note: while there will be instruction provided in this class, many sequences or stations will be set up for students to practice independently.

  Prerequisites: Dogs must have taken Agility Foundations 3 and/or 4 with ACA and/or have permission from Diann Gastley.

• Sequencing with Jumps and Tunnels

  This class will include the learning of agility handling skills at an intermediate pace and level, using the tire, long jump, jumps, and tunnels in the form of shorter sequences. Skills taught will include a variety of handling techniques (front crosses, rear crosses, blind crosses, etc.), handling required for common patterns seen on agility courses (serpentine, threadle, pinwheel, etc.), efficient lines, as well as choosing the best handling options for each individual team. Multiple dogs may be on the floor at the same time. This class should be paired with one of the Contacts and Weaves classes.

  Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation 3 and 4 and/or have permission from Elsie Maylott

• Coursework with Jumps and Tunnels

  This class will include skills similar to the skills taught in the Handling Skills class, taught at an intermediate pace and level, using the tire, jumps, tunnels and 6 weave poles to perfect handling moves. The emphasis of this class will be on handling necessary for Jumpers/Speedstakes coursework, including course walking strategy and planning handling choices. At least one class will introduce Snooker.

  Prerequisites: Completion of Sequencing with Jumps and Tunnels and/or permission of Elsie Maylott. This class requires performance of all contact obstacles and six weave poles on both sides.

• AF3 - Agility Foundations 3

  This class is a continuation of Foundation 2, with concentration given to jumping skills and beginning handling over jumps and tunnels as well as other skills. Skills taught will include: stays, beginning agility handling on short sequences, jumping skills on one jump, contact obstacle skills (mainly end behavior), and beginning weaves. This class may be taken concurrently with Foundation 4, with permission of Claudia Bates.

  Prerequisites: Attending a previous Agility Foundation 3 or 2 Class and/or permission of Claudia Bates. Dogs must be at least 10 months.

• AF2 - Agility Foundations 2

  In this class dogs will be taught agility skills including: targeting, cone work, stays, station work, board work, obstacles (table, tire, tunnel, as well as an introduction to the dog walk and a-frame), beginning jump work, tricks, warm-up routine, and toy/drive work.

  Prerequisites: Attending a previous Agility Foundation 1 (Previously named Beginning Foundations) or higher class at A Click Above.

• AF4 - Agility Foundations 4

  This class is a continuation of skills learned in Foundation 2 and 3 classes with concentration on contact work. Skills taught will include: targeting/board work, stays, contact end behavior, teeter, weaves, and full contact work.

  Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Agility Foundation 3. This class may be taken concurrently with Foundation 3 Agility Skills, with permission of Claudia Bates. Dogs must be at least 12 months.

• Sequencing with Contacts

  This class will introduce weaves and contacts into sequencing to perfect handling moves, including obstacle discrimination and weave skills. Each class gets progressively more difficult. Multiple dogs may be on the floor at the same time

  Prerequisites: Completion of Sequencing with Jumps and Tunnels and/or permission of Elsie Maylott. In addition, this class requires performance of all contact obstacles and six weave poles on both sides.

• Coursework with Contacts and Weaves

  This class will include skills similar to the skills taught in the Handling Skills with Contacts class, taught at an intermediate pace and level, using the tire, jumps, tunnels and 6 - 12 weave poles to perfect handling moves. The emphasis of this class will be on handling in Standard Agility coursework, including course walking strategy and planning handling choices. At least one class will introduce Gamblers/FAST.

  Prerequisites: Completion of Sequencing with Contacts and Weaves and/or permission of Elsie Maylott. In addition, this class requires performance of all contact obstacles and six weave poles on both sides.

• CNO - Novice Obedience

  This Competitive obedience class geared towards dogs and handlers working towards the Companion Dog title. Please note: Due to the nature of this class, each handler may register only one dog.

  Prerequisites: Dog/Handler teams must have attended ACA's Obedience Foundations 3 class with Karen Allen or have attended previous Novice Obedience classes with Karen Allen.

• Obedience Foundations 3

  In this class dogs are taught skills needed to perform in the Beginning Nov and Novice Class as well as some fluencies for the Open and Utility Classes. This class will concentrate on teaching dogs to have better focus for the task at hand by motivating the dog in a positive way then rewarding the dog with what the dog really finds as a high reward. Covered in this class will be concentration on heeling, (taking it from controlled walking to actually attention and focus to what is needed to heel reliably) understanding all stays, as well as happy, focused, and structured recalls. Dogs will learn happy retrieves and how to mark objects. Jumping exercises will be taught in a motivating manner (prelude to rally advanced and to utility). Dogs will be taught to use their noses in a fun way in doing nose games. Skills learned in this class are essential for progression in our obedience program. Dogs must be able to work next to each other without being reactive.

  Prerequisites: Dogs must be able to participate in class activities with dog in close proximity without aggressive reaction. Attendance of the Obedience Foundations 1 and 2 classes or have permission of the instructor, Karen Allen. Dogs must be at least 8 months.

• Masters Competition Agility

  This class will help handlers to improve handling skills while completing challenging sequences and short courses! Handlers will be taught strategies for handling upper level courses of all registries. The sequences and courses will be very challenging. LIMITED TO 10 DOGS/CLASS.

  Prerequisites: Mastery of all the equipment including straight up weaves (on/off side) and teeter and completion of AKC, NADAC, or USDAA Open/Advanced standard titles as well as at least one Masters Standard leg is required.

• Novice Competition Agility

  This class is geared toward the dog and handler teams currently competing at the Novice level or above in any agility venue. Focus will be on course analysis, memorization and strategy, obstacle discrimination, all types of crosses (and more...). Advanced Competition Handling will expand on the skills learned previously and further challenge students! LIMITED TO 10 DOGS/CLASS.

  Prerequisites: Mastery of all equipment including straight up weaves and full teeter. Dogs must be able to do weaves on THE RIGHT as well as on the left side. Dogs must have earned at least one leg in Novice AKC and/or USDAA Novice/Starters to participate in Novice Competition Handling.

• Pre-Competition Agility

  This class is designed to get dogs ready to begin competing at the Novice/Starters level. Sequences, small courses, and full-size courses will be done in this class to help the dog and handler team to fine tune the skills learned in Handling 1, 2, and 3. The skills covered will be front crosses, rear crosses, lead out pushes/pivots, course work analysis, application of handling systems, and obstacle discrimination.

  Prerequisites: Completion of Handling 4 (or Handling 3 and permission of Elsie Maylott) and/or previous attendance of Pre-Competition Handling as well as proficiency of dogwalk and A-frame, and the teeter, as well as some skill on weave poles.

• Advanced Competition Agility

  This class will help handlers to improve handling skills while completing challenging sequences and short courses! Handlers will be taught strategies for handling upper level courses of all registries. The sequences and courses will be very challenging. LIMITED TO 10 DOGS/CLASS.

  Prerequisites: Mastery of all the equipment including straight up weaves (on/off side) and teeter and completion of AKC, NADAC, or USDAA Open/Advanced standard titles as well as at least one Excellent Standard leg is required.

• Obedience Foundations 1

  This class is designed to teach basic control and help handlers to train a well-mannered dog that is attentive, and obedient. In this class dogs are taught manners, with an emphasis on self-control, sit, stay, down, recall, "leave it", walking on lead, emphasizing focus on the handler as more distractions are introduced.

  Prerequisites: No previous training experience is required. Students are required to watch the orientation videos and read the orientation handout. prior to the start of the session. Dogs should be 6 months of age or older to attend this class, unless given permission by an ACA instructor. ALL DOGS NEW TO ACA MUST ATTEND TESTING. See general notes above for dates/times. Dogs must be at least 6 months.

• Agility Handling with Video Analysis

  The concentration of this class will be to use video to improve handling and be able to better recognize errors in body position. The sequences will involve mostly jumps and tunnels but may also involve contacts and/or weaves. Each week one or two short courses will be run and videotaped. The videos will be posted online. LIMITED TO 8 DOGS.

  Prerequisites: Permission of Elsie Maylott.

• AF1 - Agility Foundations 1

  In this class dogs will be taught the skills needed to begin agility classes such as: cone work, shaping tricks and behaviors, interaction with props/equipment, toy work, stays, and recalls. This is a very fun class that can be taken in preparation for Agility Foundations 2 or as a stand-alone fun class

  Prerequisites: ACA's Puppy Kindergarten and/or ACA's Obedience Foundations 1 (with instructor permission) or 2 as well as viewing the orientation content and videos. This class is a prerequisite for Agility Foundations 2. Dogs must be at least 6 months.

• Obedience Foundations 2/CGC

  This class will build on the skills taught in Puppy Kindergarten and Obedience Foundations 1 as well as all of the skills required to pass the Canine Good Citizen test. Handlers will learn how to use the clicker to teach and reinforce desirable behaviors and attach cues. This class is designed to help owners to train their dog to become a well-behaved member of the family and community. It can also be a stepping stone to more advanced obedience classes.

  Prerequisites: This class is for dogs over 8 months of age or older who have taken a previous ACA class such as Puppy Kindergarten and/or Obedience Foundations 1 class OR permission of an ACA instructor Dogs must be at least 8 months.

• Canine Scentwork 2 with Karen Allen

  Scentwork is a very fun activity for dogs and handlers. It is inspired by working detection dogs. Dogs will enjoy scenting and searching and putting their keen sense of smell to work! Scentwork is a light physical activity that can be a good extracurricular activity for pets, agility, and obedience dogs. The activity is addictive for handlers and dogs.

  Prerequisites: Handlers registering for this class MUST have attended Karen Allen's Canine Scentwork 1 class.

• PK - Puppy Kindergarten

  This class will introduce puppies to social situations as well as beginning obedience training suitable for puppies 8 weeks to no more than 10 months of age. This class also covers the skills needed to pass the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, with an emphasis on owner education.

  Prerequisites: Attending a previous ACA Puppy and/or Obedience Foundations class OR watching the orientation video and reading the orientation handout prior to the first class.

• CUO - Utility Skills with Karen Allen

  This class is a competitive obedience class for dog and handler teams working towards the Utility Dog title. The sessions will be broken down as follows: Three weeks will be spent on improving heeling, signals, articles, and the moving stand; three weeks will be spent on how to improve gloves, go outs, and directed jumping.

  Prerequisites: Dog/Handler teams must have attained a UKC, ASCA, or AKC Companion Dog title (provide date to Karen), must be able to retrieve a dumbbell, or have permission from Karen Allen. Dogs must be at least 15 months.

• COO - Open Obedience with Karen Allen

  This class is designed to help handlers brush up on skills needed for competing in Open obedience classes. The class will include the following: retrieving exercises, all jumping exercises, and heeling exercises. Please note: Due to the nature of this class, each handler may register only one dog.

  Prerequisites: Dog/Handler teams must have attained a UKC or AKC Companion Dog title (provide date legs were acquired on registration form) and must be able to retrieve a dumbbell or have permission from Karen Allen. Dogs must be at least 15 months.