Performance goals and graduation criteria set for agility classes
Last winter, the training committee put together an ad hoc team that met to review and refine our agility program. The team proposed specific performance goals and graduation criteria for each agility class.
Recently, the training committee approved these criteria. We feel that by setting graduation standards at each level, students and instructors will have a clearer sense of what should be accomplished in each class. Graduation standards will give instructors a better sense of what skills they can expect from the handlers and dogs who enroll in their classes. Students will know what each course will cover and what skills they need to master to be able to graduate and move to the next class in the sequence.
Class performance goals are not designed to tell instructors how to teach agility skills, as teaching methods vary with the class and the instructor. Performance goals do dictate what skills will be taught at each level.
Class goals and graduation check off lists for each of our three agility classes follow. Please direct questions or comments to Tammy Snyder or Marg Pough, training committee chairs.
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Agility 1
Skills needed for admission to class:
Dog must have a basic understanding of the commands COME, SIT, DOWN, STAY. These skills will be reinforced in Agility 1.
Class goals and objectives:
The dog will develop the ability to perform basic obedience commands (COME, SIT, DOWN, STAY) in an agility environment.
The dog will develop jumping skills (jump chutes, intro to broad jump, tire jump — all jumps set low).
The handler will teach the dog an “away” command (can use a target or a toy toss).
The dog will learn to work on both sides of handler.
Dog becomes comfortable all contact obstacles set at half height, except for the dog walk, which will be set at full height (note—our full height dog walk is 3’; regulation height is 4’). Dog may still need the assistance of the handler moving along side the dog as the obstacle is navigated, and the dog may still need one end of the teeter held and eased down.
Dog will be introduced to weaves (six poles).
Handler will gain a basic knowledge of AKC agility rules.
Dog can successfully navigate a straight tunnel and a full-length chute, with handler working on both sides of the obstacle. End of chute may still need to be held by an assistant.
Graduation criteria:
Two evaluators (one may be the class instructor, the other is an IDTC agility instructor selected by the instructor) must agree that the student & dog have mastered Agility 1 class objectives so that the team can go on to the next class in the sequence. (See graduation check off sheet.)
Student must have attended at least 50% of all classes.
Agility 1 graduation check off sheet
Student name _______________________________________
Dog name, age, breed ________________________________
Date _______________________________________________
Class instructors ____________________________________
Evaluators __________________________________________
Graduation exercise: dog executes obstacles in isolation – not in a sequence: full-length chute, full-length straight tunnel; 6 weave poles (set in a channel or handler can guide dog through); teeter; table; A-frame; dog walk, tire; jumps. Obedience skills (sit, stay, come, down) will be incorporated into obstacle execution.
| Acceptable | Needs Work | |
| Jump chutes, broad jump, tire (Handler demonstrates the ability to work the dog both on the left and on the right.) Dogs do not have to jump regulation height.
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| Contacts; including teeter, table, A-frame, dogwalk (Dog is willing and unafraid to go on all obstacles with handler working on both the left and on the right side of the dog. Obstacles set at half height – dog walk at full height.) One end of the teeter can still be held for dogs. | ||
| Basic obedience skills COME, SIT, DOWN, STAY in an agility setting. | ||
| Weaves Six poles. Dog is willing to enter the weaves correctly and can go through them (recall in a channel set up) or can be guided through them.
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| Tunnel and chute Dog is willing and unafraid to navigate a straight tunnel and a chute at full extension (end of chute may need to be held by assistant.)
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Agility 2
Skills needed for admission to class:
Successful completion of Agility 1 course, or demonstrated proficiency of Agility 1 skills.
Class goals and objectives:
Refine and polish skills learned in Agility 1.
The dog begins to learn to hit the contact zones -- introduction of various methods of training contacts (i.e., 2 on 2 off, running contacts).
Continue refining weave skills.
Start to learn sequencing skills, working up to five obstacles in a sequence that includes both jumps and contacts. Work simple sequences off lead.
Learn two pole exercises (like a figure 8) as a prelude to teaching crosses.
Handler should be able to send dog to the tunnel and table.
Dog should be able to navigate a curved tunnel.
Graduation criteria:
Two evaluators (one may be the class instructor, the other is an IDTC agility instructor selected by the instructor) must agree the student & dog have mastered Agility 2 class objectives so that the team can go on to the next class in the sequence. (See graduation check off sheet).
Student must have attended at least 50% of all classes.
Dog must do full height contacts and demonstrate an understanding of contact zones.
Graduation will consist of two simple off-lead sequences -- in a straight line or gentle curve -- made up of jumps, contacts and a set of six weaves -- no more than 5 obstacles in each sequence. Weaves can be set up in a channel or the handler can lead the dog through the weaves.
Agility 2 graduation check off sheet
Student name _______________________________________
Dog name, age, breed ________________________________
Date _______________________________________________
Class instructors ____________________________________
Evaluators __________________________________________
Graduation exercise: Two simple sequences -- in a straight line or gentle curve -- consisting of no more that five obstacles in each sequence; handler works dog off lead on both sides of obstacles. Obedience commands (come, sit, down, stay) are incorporated into the sequence.
| Acceptable | Needs Work | |
| Jumps, including broad jump & tire jump Handler demonstrates the ability to work the dog both on the left and on the right.
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| Contacts; including teeter, table, A-frame, & dog walk Dog does full height contacts and hits at least 3/5 of all contacts attempted. Refusals are allowed at this point, but the dog must eventually complete the task and hit the contact. Dog can work on both the left and on the right side of the handler.
| ||
| Basic obedience skills Handler must show acceptable control of the dog. (COME, SIT, DOWN, STAY in an agility setting.)
| ||
| Weaves Six poles -- can run as a channel or can lead the dog through.
Tunnel & chute Dog can navigate both obstacles without handler assistance. Tunnel can have a slight curve; chute is full length. |
Agility 3
Skills needed for admission to class:
Successful completion of Agility 2 course, or demonstrated proficiency of Agility 2 skills.
Class goals and objectives:
Refine and polish skills learned in Agility 2.
Continue refining contacts.
Continue refining weave skills, moving from six poles to twelve poles.
Continue refining sequencing skills, working up to twelve obstacles in a sequence that includes all objects seen in novice agility. Dogs are able to work off lead and the sequences start to become less straightforward (no longer just straight lines or gentle curves) – but nothing really complex.
Introduce crosses, starting with the front cross, then the rear cross used with jumps and tunnels.
Dog shows improvement on the weaves.
Dog jumps at full height.
Graduation criteria:
Two evaluators (one may be the class instructor, the other is an IDTC agility instructor selected by the instructor) must agree that the student & dog have mastered Agility 2 class objectives. (See graduation check off sheet.)
Student must have attended at least 50% of all classes.
Dog and handler complete a simple AKC novice-level course.
Dog shows improvement on the weaves.
Graduation will consist of a simple AKC novice-level course.
Agility 3 graduation check off sheet
Student name _______________________________________
Dog name, age, breed ________________________________
Date _______________________________________________
Class instructors ____________________________________
Evaluators _________________________________________
Graduation exercise: a simple AKC novice course.
| Acceptable | Needs Work | |
| Jumps; including broad jump and tire jump Handler demonstrates the ability to work the dog both on the left and on the right. Handler can execute a simple front cross and a rear cross. Dog jumps at full height.
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| Contacts Dog does full height contacts and hits at least 3/5 of all contacts attempted. Handler work can work on both the left and on the right side of the dog.
| ||
| Basic obedience skills Handler must show acceptable control of the dog. (COME, SIT, DOWN, STAY in an agility setting.)
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| Weaves Six poles, set straight (not in a channel or with wires) with minimal handler guidance.
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| Tunnel & chute Dog can navigate both obstacles without handler assistance. Tunnel may be curved; chute is full length.
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