Classes Offered for July/August 2012 Classes

• Contacts and Weaves

  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. ***Regarding the Thursday class, there will be individualized instruction on two obstacles each week on a rotational basis; the A-frame or Dogwalk and the Seesaw or Weaves. The other two obstacles will be available, if space permits, for students to work on their own.

  Prerequisites: Dogs must have taken Foundation III Agility Skills with ACA and/or have written permission from Claudia Bates.

• Handling 2

  Handling skills taught will be the similar to the skills taught in the Advanced Handling class, taught at an intermediate pace and level, using the tire, jumps, and tunnels to perfect handling moves. Skills taught will include front crosses, rear crosses, blind crosses, pinwheels, jump chutes and grids, serpentines, threadles,and counter rotations. This class should be paired with one of the Contacts and Weaves classes. Each class gets progressively more difficult and most need to be repeated at least once.

  Prerequisites: Students wanting to attend Handling 2 must successfully complete Handling 1 or have previously taken Handling 2.

• Handling 3

  Handling skills taught will be the similar to the skills taught in the Advanced Handling class, taught at an intermediate pace and level, using the tire, jumps, and tunnels to perfect handling moves. Skills taught will include front crosses, rear crosses, blind crosses, pinwheels, jump chutes and grids, serpentines, threadles,and counter rotations. This class should be paired with one of the Contacts and Weaves classes. Each class gets progressively more difficult and most need to be repeated at least once.

  Prerequisites: Students wanting to take Handling 3 must have successfully completed Handling 2 or have permission from Elsie Maylott.

• Attention for Obedience with Karen Allen

  The attention class is for anyone who has attended a basic obedience class or ACA?s HFF class or higher. Focus will be on getting more attention primarily in heeling on and off lead, figure 8,recalls, fronts, finishes, and stays, including the stand stay for signals.

  Prerequisites: Dog/Handler teams must have attended ACA's CGC and/or Basic class or Heeling, Fronts, and Finishes or have permission by Karen Allen (sunreach@verizon.net)

• Masters Competition Handling

  Improve your handling skills while completing challenging sequences and short courses! Handlers will be taught strategies for handling upper level courses of all registries. The sequences will be very challenging. Handlers will be taught strategies for handling Masters and Excellent level courses. 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 and/or Masters standard leg is required.

• Novice Competition Handling

  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...). 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.

• Basic Obedience

  Dogs are taught manners, sit, stay, down, recall, walking on lead, etc. This class is an excellent preparatory class for Intro to Clicker and Agility (required, actually), and/or for more advanced obedience classes. This class is for dogs over 10 months of age or dogs who have taken a previous ACA class.

  Prerequisites: Attending a previous A Click Above Intro, Puppy, and/or Basic class OR attending one of the orientation sessions given prior to the start of the session.

• Pre-Competition Handling

  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 Handling1, 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 3 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 Handling

  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!

  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 two OPEN and/or ADVANCED standard legs to register for the Advanced Competition Handling Class.

• 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.

• Handling 1

  Handling skills taught will be the similar to the skills taught in the Advanced Handling class, taught at an intermediate pace and level, using the tire, jumps, and tunnels to perfect handling moves. Skills taught will include front crosses, rear crosses, blind crosses, pinwheels, jump chutes and grids, serpentines, threadles,and counter rotations. This class should be paired with one of the Contacts and Weaves classes. Each class gets progressively more difficult and most need to be repeated at least once.

  Prerequisites: Successful completion of ACA's Foundation 2 and 3 is required. Dogs must be able to work off-lead in the sequences.

• Foundation 1 Agility Skills

  This class is the first introduction to agility. Skills taught will include: Targeting, Stays, Circle Work, Shadow Handling, Obstacles (Table, Tire, Tunnel), and Toy/Drive work.

  Prerequisites: Attending a previous Foundation 1, Basic Shaping, and/or Shaping Foundations. Dogs should be at least 8 months of age to attend this class.

• Foundation 2 Agility Skills

  This class is a continuation of Foundation I, with concentration given to jumping skills and beginning handling. Skills taught will include: Stays, Circle Work, Shadow Handling, Jumping Skills, Obstacles, and Toy/Drive work. This class may be taken conc

  Prerequisites: Attending a previous Foundation I Agility Skills Class and permission of Claudia Bates. Dogs should be at least 10 months to 1 year of age to attend this class.

• Foundation 3 Agility Skills

  This class is a continuation of Skills learned in Foundation I and II classes with concentration on contact work. Skills taught will include: Targeting/Board work, Stays, Contact End Behavior, Teeter, Weaves, and Toy/Drive work.

  Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Foundation I or II Agility Skills and written permission of Claudia Bates. This class may be taken concurrently with Foundation II Agility Skills. Dogs should be at least 10 months to 1 year of age to attend this class.

• Puppy Kindergarten

  Introducing puppies to social situations, owner education, and beginning obedience training for puppies 8 weeks of age to 10 months of age. This class also covers the skills needed to pass the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

  Prerequisites: Attending a previous A Click Above Intro, Puppy, and/or Basic class OR attending one of the orientation sessions given prior to the start of the session.

• Basic Shaping

  Continue foundation skills with our shaping class. Students will learn to shape simple and more complex behaviors using operant conditioning. Basic skills such as sit, down, stand, targeting, tricks and more will be fine tuned. This class is for anyone who wants to start a young dog off right or teach an old dog new tricks! The curriculum will be based on student requests and may include Canine Good Citizen practice for future test administration at ACA.

  Prerequisites: Puppy Kindergarten or orientation at A Click Above.

• Open and Utility Exercises with Karen Allen

  This class is designed to help handlers brush up on skills needed for competeing in both Open and Utility obedience classes. The class will include the following: retrieving exercises, all jumping exercises, and heeling exercises.

  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 written permission from Karen Allen.

• Rally-O with Karen Allen

  Rally-O is the nickname given for Rally Obedience. The Rally style of Obedience has been adopted for this concept of Obedience training and competition because of the use of directional signs to guide the handler throughout the performance in a manner somewhat similar to Rally Car Racing. Karen will go over the Rally concept covering all the exercises in all three levels. She will cover handler-dog communication and teamwork as well as the requirements for a qualifying performance. Each week there will be a course set up for each handler to perform individually. There is some small jumping as well as an honor stay.

  Prerequisites: Dog/Handler teams must have attended ACA's Heeling, Fronts, and Finishes Class with Karen Allen, the Attention Class, and/or must have permission from Karen Allen.

• Advanced 1 with Paulena Simpson

  Classes specifically designed to address handling issues that confront agility competitors. The classes will emphasize speed, accuracy, and course strategy. Dates of required titles are necessary for registration. LIMITED TO 10 DOGS/CLASS.

  Prerequisites: Mastery of all obstacles. Advanced I is limited to dogs who have earned an AKC NA and have earned one leg of Open Standard and/or USDAA AD (dates required).

• Advanced 2 with Paulena Simpson

  Classes specifically designed to address handling issues that confront agility competitors. The classes will emphasize speed, accuracy, and course strategy. Dates of required titles are necessary for registration. LIMITED TO 10 DOGS/CLASS.

  Prerequisites: Mastery of all obstacles. Advanced II is limited to dogs who have earned an AKC OA and at least one leg in Excellent A standard and/or a USDAA AAD. Dates of titles will be required for these classes.

• Advanced 3 with Paulena Simpson

  Classes specifically designed to address handling issues that confront agility competitors. The classes will emphasize speed, accuracy, and course strategy. Dates of required titles are necessary for registration. LIMITED TO 10 DOGS/CLASS.

  Prerequisites: Mastery of all obstacles. Advanced III will be limited to dogs that have earned at least 5 legs towards an MX or MXJ and/or have earned the USDAA MAD title. Dates of titles will be required for these classes.