Dogwood Competition Agility and class times

Agility Competition

Beginning Agility
Agility II
Agility III
Pre-Novice
Novice Agility
Advanced Agility
Adv/Masters Agility
Practice Day

Listed below is our upcoming class schedule.
We also have a Calendar of all classes available.
Please feel free to stop in and watch any class anytime.
Please do leave your pet at home.

Please visit our Class Information Page for more detailed information about classes and policies. Then fill out our On-Line Form to register and we will confirm by email.

Class dates are subject to change, please contact Debby for the latest information. Please take a few minutes to check out the directions on the Facility page to Dogwood before the first night of class and feel free to call for additional directions.

Due to the unpredictability in the Houston weather, we reserve the right to cancel classes when the temperatures are above 100 degrees or below 32 degrees. Please call the Dogwood phone number, 713-849-9115 to check on class status.

Please review the prerequisites identified for a class before enrolling and read the course description for the PREREQUISITE class. If you believe your dog's current training meets the skills taught in our Basic Obedience Class, you may request a private with a Dogwood instructor to assess proper placement in our classes. The private with a Dogwood instructor is $40 and is payable in advance to the instructor. Assessments are ONLY available to place out of Basic Obedience. All other pre-req classes must be taken via the Dogwood classes.

Sorry, no refunds can be made after the first class is completed or after the class has been filled.

	Beginning Agility. Beginning Agility. This class uses motivational and positive techniques to teach your dog how to properly and safely perform each of the agility obstacles used in AKC agility competition. The class includes training methods and techniques to help you increase your dog’s drive and focus as you continue through the agility program. In addition to learning the agility obstacles, the class will also further refine the obedience skills needed to be successful in agility (such as “WITH ME”, come when called, sit and down stay). The class includes flatwork skills to start teaching you and your dog agility handling skills that will be needed in future classes. All exercises in this class are performed on leash. On the last night of Beginning Agility class, students perform a set of obstacles off-lead to assess their dog’s readiness to progress to the Agility II class. We recommend that large breed dogs be over a year of age before starting agility classes to reduce the risk of growth plate injuries. Student must complete at least 4 classes in order to move to Agility II.
Classes cost $125 and run for 6 weeks for 50 minutes each week. Prerequisite: Introduction to Competition and Beyond Basic Register online or call: (713) 849-9115
Beginning Agility FULL Monday July 12 - Aug 16 @ 7:00 pm Instructors DeNise Clemens, Lindie Madden, Bonny Crews and Suki Mooney
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	AGILITY II . Now that your dog has learned each of the agility obstacles, we still start to work with you to develop timely and accurate handling skills while teaching your dog various body cues and commands that will be needed as your progress through agility. The class will continue to focus on control, relationship, and rapport to strengthen the dog/handler teamwork. We will start to introduce skills needed to smoothly sequence multiple obstacles through effective handling skills. When the dogs perform obstacles in this class, they are off-lead, so the dog must be reliable off-lead when performing the following exercises: Come when called, sit stay, down stay, “with me”. Dogwood recommends students continuing with Obedience classes throughout their Agility career. Even if you have started obstacle training on your own or through another school, we generally require that all students take the Dogwood Pre-Requisite classes and start at Beginning Agility so that the students have the same foundation as other students in the Agility II class. Student must complete at least 4 classes in order to move to Agility III.
Classes cost $125 and run for 6 weeks for 50 minutes each week. Prerequisite: Beginning Agility Register online or call: (713) 849-9115
Agility II Monday Aug 30 - Oct 11 @ 7:00 p.m. Instructors DeNise Clemens, Lindie Madden, Bonny Crews and Suki Mooney
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	AGILITY III focuses on more advanced sequencing skills and handling skills required to prepare handlers and dogs for the PreNovice agility class. Relationship, teamwork, focus and control are critical to success in this class. Dog’s are off lead when performing sequences in the Agility III class. Teams which have mastered the control exercises and have developed good teamwork and relationship skills during the prior classes will have the foundation skills needed to successfully master these more advanced agility exercises. Dogs in this class must have a reliable, off-lead, come when called, sit stay, and down stay on command. To join the PreNovice agility class upon graduating from the Agility III class, the dog must be have a reliable sit and down stay, be comfortable and confident on all agility equipment, perform a set of 4 inline weave poles, drive to, retrieve, and play tug with a toy, have a reliable recall, demonstrate self control not leaving the handler or lunging towards other people or dogs. Student must complete at least 4 classes in order to move to Pre-Novice Agility.
Classes cost $125 and run for 6 weeks for 50 minutes each week. Prerequisite: Agility II Register online or call: (713) 849-9115
Agility III Monday Oct 25 - Nov 29 @ 8:15 pm Instructors DeNise Clemens, Lindie Madden, Bonny Crews and Suki Mooney
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	The Pre-Novice Agility class integrates various agility handling skills into small sections of courses teaching the handler and the dog how to gain confidence, accuracy, and speed. We will incorporate the contact obstacles into more complex sequences and add more proofing of contact zones. The class will continue to build on jumping skills, obstacle discrimination, and distance handling skills. More difficult proofing challenges will be introduced with emphasis on teaching the dog that distractions can be rewarding. Continued work on control exercises (“WTH ME”, sit, down, stay, come when called) will also be integrated into the class exercises. When entering this class, students are provided with a list of skills that must be mastered to move to the Novice Agility Class This is an on-going monthly class.
Classes cost $70 per month and are on-going for 50 minutes each week. Prerequisite: Beginning Agility series Register online or call: (713) 849-9115
Pre-Novice Agility FULL Monday @ 8:15 pm Instructors DeNise Clemens, Lindie Madden, Bonny Crews and Suki Mooney
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	The Novice Agility class will start to prepare you for showing. We cover all the skills you will need to be successful as you start showing your dog in the Novice classes at agility trials. The class covers and works on skills that are needed to be successful in competition such as, stays, coming when called, front and rear crosses, distance handling, jumping skills, proofing contacts and other obstacles, and other useful tools to speed up and get the most out of a performance. This is an on-going monthly class.
Classes cost $70 per month and are on-going for 50 minutes each week. Prerequisite: Pre-Novice Agility Register online or call: (713) 849-9115
Novice Agility FULL Thursday 7:00 pm Instructor Debby Quigley
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	The Advanced Agility class will continue to prepare you for showing in all agility classes, Novice, Open and Excellent. We cover skills you will need to be successful as well as course management. The class continues to perfect skills that are needed to be successful in competition such as, stays, fast sits and drops, front and rear crosses, distance handling, jumping skills, layering obstacles, proofing contacts and other obstacles, and other useful tools to speed up and get the most out of a performance. This in an on-going monthly class.
Classes cost $70 per month and are on-going for 50 minutes each week. Prerequisite: Novice Agility Register online or call: (713) 849-9115
Advanced Agility FULL Tuesday 7:00 pm Instructor Debby Quigley FULL Thursday 8:15 pm Instructor Debby Quigley
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	The Adv/Masters Agility class will continue to prepare you for showing in advanced agility classes. We cover skills you will need to be successful as well as course analysis and management. The class will include complex sequences found in Excellent and/or World Team level courses designed to build the skills necessary to successfully compete at the highest levels. In the class we will continue to perfect skills that are needed to be successful in advanced agility classes such as, stays, fast sits and drops, front and rear crosses, distance handling, jumping skills, layering obstacles, proofing contacts and other obstacles, and other useful tools to speed up and get the most out of a performance. This is an on-going monthly class.
Classes cost $70 per month and are on-going for 50 minutes each week. Prerequisite: Advanced Agility Register online or call: (713) 849-9115
Adv/Masters Agility FULL Tuesday @ 8:15 pm Instructor Debby Quigley FULL Thursday @ 9:30 am Instructor Debby Quigley
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	The Practice Day offers all Dogwood Monthly Agility Students an opportunity to come out and practice skills learned in that weeks class and use equipment. Times are 6-8 pm each Wednesday. Please check with Debby for enrollment.
Practice cost $30 per month. Prerequisite: Pre-Novice, Novice or Advanced Agility student Register online or call: (713) 849-9115
Practice Day Wednesday @ 6:30 - 9:30 pm
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