Classes Offered for September/October 2021

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• GD2 - Good Dog 2

  This class will build on the skills taught in Good Dog 1, Puppy K, and Young Dog Bridge, 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. Young Dog Bridge graduates can move directly to Good Dog 2 (instead of Good Dog 1) with instructor approval.

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

• 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 Coursework with Contacts and Weaves and/or previous attendance of Pre-Competition Handling, Novice Competition Handling, Advanced Competition Handling, and/or, Masters Competition Handling 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) and OMD inspired techniques (taught in our intermediate level classes)

• 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 Competition Obedience I 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.

• YDB - Young Dog Bridge Class

  This class is designed to challenge older puppies/young dogs who have been taught basic behaviors (sit, down, stay, come) and help handlers improve the dogs ability to listen, ignore distractions, and build a reciprocal connection. This class will take your dog's training to the next level by teaching trick foundations and working with handlers to teach dogs that you are as valuable as the reward. Through training-based activities, not only will your relationship grow, but your dog will be better prepared for starting obedience and/or agility foundations.

  Prerequisites: Attendance of ACA Puppy Kindergarten class and/or permission of instructors Elsie Maylot, Diann Gastley, and/or Marianne Pieper.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• AHS - Advanced Agility Handling Skills

  The concentration of this class will be 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. LIMITED TO 8 DOGS.

  Prerequisites: Permission of Elsie Maylott.

• 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.

• 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.