January/February 2023 Class Schedule

  • Classes Begin

    January 9th

  • Current* Student Registration

    December 4th at 07:00PM

  • General Registration Begins

    December 11th at 07:00PM

  • Registration Deadline

    December 20th

NOTE: Handlers new to A Click Above with dogs attending Good Dog 1, Puppy Kindergarten, and/or Agility Foundations 1 must view the orientation material prior to the first class.

Please see note below regarding testing

Covid Waiver: Must be signed by anyone who has NOT previously signed the waiver in 2023.

Monday 
5:20pm Class
AF4
Agility Foundations 4

Claudia and Kirsten

(1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13)

6:30pm Class
CNW
Contacts and Weaves

Mary and Trish

(1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13)

7:40pm Class
HS
Handling Skills

Diann and Trish

(1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13)

 
  
6:30pm Class
AF3
Agility Foundations 3

Claudia, Kayla, and Kirsten

(1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13)

7:40pm Class
AF2
Agility Foundations 2

Claudia, Mary, and Kirsten

(1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13)

8:50pm Class
AF1
Agility Foundations 1

Claudia and Sarah

(1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13)

Tuesday 
5:25pm Class
PK
Puppy Kindergarten

Diann and Marianne

(1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14)

6:20pm Class
PK
Puppy Kindergarten

Marianne and Diann

(1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14)

7:15pm Class
CHS
Competition Handling Skills

Diann and Trish

(1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14)

8:50pm Class
CHS
Competition Handling Skills

Diann and Trish

(1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14)

 
5:20pm Class
CUO
Utility Skills with Karen Allen

Karen Allen

(1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14)

6:30pm Class
CNO
Novice Obedience

Karen and Liz

(1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14)

7:40pm Class
COF
Competition Obedience Foundations

Liz and Nancy

(1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14)

 
Wednesday
2:00pm Class
CCW
Coursework for Competition

Claudia

(1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

3:10pm Class
CCW
Coursework for Competition

Claudia

(1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

6:30pm Class
CCW
Coursework for Competition

Ashley and Trish

(1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

7:40pm Class
CCW
Coursework for Competition

Ashley and Trish

(1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

8:50pm Class
CCW
Coursework for Competition

Ashley and Claudia

(1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

 
5:20pm Class
GD1
Good Dog 1

Claudia and Nancy

(1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

6:30pm Class
GD2
Good Dog 2

Nancy and Claudia

(1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

7:40pm Class
CRO
Rally Obedience

Nancy and Janet

(1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

Class
FFIT1
Fitness Foundations with Samantha Burton

Sam Burton

(Online class meets in person 2/22 at 7:00p.m)

Thursday 
5:20pm Class
GD1
Good Dog 1

Nancy and Mary

(1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16)

6:30pm Class
CCW
Coursework for Competition

Claudia and Ashley

(1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16)

7:40pm Class
CCW
Coursework for Competition

Ashley and Beth

(1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16)

8:50pm Class
CCW
Coursework for Competition

Beth and Ashley

(1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16)

 
5:20pm Class
Intro to Scentwork

Karen

(1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16)

6:30pm Class
CSW
Advanced Scentwork

Karen

(1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16)

7:40pm Class
CSW
Advanced Scentwork

Karen

(1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16)

 

General Notes

  1. All classes will be held at the A Click Above Training Center, 19277 Evergreen Mills Road in Leesburg. Specific directions to the site will be mailed out with confirmations on the closing date.
  2. See classes offered below for pre-requisites, restrictions, and other important information regarding classes.
  3. Fees are as follows
    All classes are $140 for the six-week session except Fitness Foundations which is $160 for a seven-week hybrid session (online and one in person class).
  4. Handers new to A Click Above must view the orientation video and read the handout.
  5. Important: We have already filled obedience testing for our January/February session. Therefore, we are no longer taking appointments for this session.
  6. Pre-requisite for Intro to Scentwork is attendance of Orientation with Karen Allen at ACA on Tuesday, January 3 at 5:30 pm.

Classes Offered for January/February 2023

  • 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.

  • 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 grid exercises will be used. This class can and should be taken in conjunction with either Handling Skills 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 Claudia Bates.

  • 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.

  • 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 for Competition or have attended previous Novice Obedience classes with Karen Allen.

  • Intro to Scentwork

    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. All four elements will be done each week.

    Prerequisites: Attendance of the orientation session. See General notes for details.

  • CRO - Rally Obedience

    In this class, students will learn the skills necessary to perform AKC Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Excellent Rally courses. Students will learn the Rally regulations and the rules for each level, how to perform the various signs, and how to walk courses and strategize the flow of a course. We will reinforce the foundation training needed at each level. Each week there will be a competition course set up for handlers to perform individually with instructor coaching.

    Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Successful completion of ACA's Competition Obedience Foundations class, or any ACA obedience class above the COF level, and/or permission of an ACA obedience instructor.

  • FFIT1 - Fitness Foundations with Samantha Burton

    In this class, students will learn the essential building blocks for canine fitness. The class will focus on posture, weight shifting, and correct form for the dynamic exercises. Each week will offer a trick that complements fitness. Class weeks 1, 3, 5, and 6 will have lesson plans and correspondence via email. Students may submit up to 5 minutes of video per week and ask questions via email. Class Weeks 2 and 4 will be held via Zoom (time and day TBD). Class Week 7 will b e held in person at ACA at the conclusion of the scheduled class session (see General notes for date/time). Details will be sent in class confirmations. Instructors: Samantha Burton

    Prerequisites: Dogs must be at least one year of age and be sound (no limping or injury). Equipment: 2 small platforms of the same size that are big enough for the dog to sit on individually as well as a platform, plank, or yoga mat long enough to allow the dog to lie down.

  • 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.

  • GD1 - Good Dog 1

    This class is designed to help owners train a well-behaved dog that is attentive and responsive. Dogs are taught manners, with an emphasis on self-control, sit, down, stays, coming when called, "leave it", polite leash walking, and appropriate greeting behavior. Focus on the handler will be emphasized as more distractions are introduced. No previous training experience is required. Students must watch the Orientation videos and read the Orientation handouts prior to the start of the session.

    Prerequisites: This class is for dogs six months or older, who have successfully passed the required Testing at ACA (see General Notes above for dates/times), or who have taken a previous ACA class such as Puppy Kindergarten and have permission of an ACA instructor. Dogs must be at least 6 months.

  • GD2 - Good Dog 2

    This class will build on the skills taught in Good Dog 1 and Puppy K including walking politely on leash, greeting people, coming when called, and stays. We will add more "real world" distractions to various training situations, so handlers learn to apply class material outside of class. Practical tricks and games will be included to continue to strengthen the relationship with your dog and improve your training skills. If there is enough interest, test items from the Canine Good Citizen test will be introduced. In addition to reinforcing and expanding on basic skills, this class can be used as a stepping-stone to more advanced obedience classes.

    Prerequisites: Prerequisites: This class is for dogs six months or older, who have taken a previous ACA class such as Good Dog 1 and/or have permission of an ACA instructor. Dogs must be at least 6 months.

  • 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 Good Dog 1 or 2(with instructor permission). This class is a prerequisite for Agility Foundations 2. Dogs must be at least 6 months.

  • 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.

  • 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: Dog and handler attendance of Agility Foundation 1 or higher class at A Click Above and permission of Claudia Bates. Dogs must be at least 8 months.

  • HS - Handling Skills

    This class will include the learning of agility handling skills at an intermediate pace and level, using jumps and tunnels including: 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.). Students will be taught 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. 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 Diann Gastley/Trish Dranchak.

  • CHS - Competition Handling Skills

    Coursework focusing on a different skill set each week, such as tunnel entrances and exits, distance handling, layering, technique training, S lines, back sides, threadles, lateral lead outs. Must be proficient on all obstacles. 12 weave poles and all contacts may be used.

    Prerequisites: Completion of Sequencing with Jumps and Tunnels, or Handling Skills, proficiency on all equipment and/or permission of Diann Gastley. This class requires performance of all contact obstacles and twelve weave poles on both sides.

  • CCW - Coursework for Competition

    These classes are designed to work on courses seen at the Novice through Premiere/Masters level. Each week handler will be able to choose from three different nested courses from Novice through Masters. The Novice courses will be suitable for students and dogs just beginning to trial while the more advanced courses will present many challenges seen at the Advanced, Masters, and even international competitions. 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 previous handling classes. These classes fine tune the application of handling skills, (acquired through our intermediate programs such as Sequencing with Jumps and Contacts), course analysis, obstacle independence, and obstacle discrimination.

    Prerequisites: Completion of any of the following at ACA: Previous Competition Coursework classes (taken with current dog,) or Competition Handling Skills, as well as proficiency of dogwalk and A-frame, the seesaw, 12 weave poles on both sides, and handling techniques (front crosses, blind crosses, rear crosses, etc). Permission of Claudia Bates.

  • COF - Competition Obedience Foundations

    This class is geared toward handlers who are interested in showing in Obedience and/or Rally, or who want to explore higher level work. It is required for those planning to take Novice or Rally Obedience classes at ACA. Skills covered include maintaining attention, handler-focused heeling, the figure 8 exercise, turns, pivots, changes of pace, and related footwork. Recalls with fronts, both types of finishes, and the stand and stand stay will also be included. Additional exercises unique to the Beginner Novice title, and to Rally, will be added if there is time and interest. This class is ideal for those starting a dog on the competition obedience track, for those who want to develop obedience skills for Rally, or for dogs already in an upper-level obedience class that could benefit from more foundation work.

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Good Dog 1 and/or Good Dog 2, and /or permission of an ACA instructor.

  • CSW - Advanced Scentwork

    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. All four elements will be done each week.

    Prerequisites: This class will be a continuation of previous classes. Permission of Karen Allen is required.