Agility Classes
Our agility program provides not only training for handlers and their dogs, but also opportunities to socialize with other dog enthusiasts in a club-like atmosphere. Most of our students continue with our program for years with many who compete in agility trials.
Beginning and continuing agility classes are held on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during daylight hours at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, on Motor Avenue near Pico Boulevard. The agility area is at the west end of the park near the archery range.
All beginning to advanced agility classes are taught by Danielle Dumais.
All handlers are required to help with equipment moves and tear downs as needed.
A current waiver is required for all members and for participation in our classes. Complete the WLAOTC Online Waiver.
Google Map to Cheviot Hills Recreation Center | Map of Training Class Locations Inside the Park
Beginning Agility Classes
We start new beginning agility classes two or three times a year on each day. Beginning classes on Thursdays and Saturdays start in the afternoon. Wednesday beginning classes are usually at 11:00 am. We do not take registrations in advance but will notify those interested by email when we have scheduled new classes. If you would like to be notified, you must fill out the Agility Notification form.
Although it is not required, we highly recommend enrolling your dog in a Novice Obedience class before attempting agility. Because we start only a few beginning classes each year, we give priority to our active members and current and former WLAOTC students. Your dog should be at least six months old and be able to Sit, Down, Come, and Stay on command.
Continuing Agility Classes
WLAOTC occasionally has space in our more advanced agility classes. We welcome students from other programs, although consent of the trainer is required. If you would like to be considered for an open space, you must fill out the Agility Notification form.
Your dog should be at least six months old and be able to Sit, Down, Come and Stay on command. Students who have taken our obedience classes are generally ready for agility. If we are not familiar with your dog, she will be tested before the first class on her ability to sit, stay and come when called while off-leash. We will also observe her behavior near other excited dogs. We don’t expect perfection.
Agility is an exciting sport for both dogs and handlers, and all dogs will occasionally be too excited to pay attention. But a dog that is not under control most of the time is not ready to do agility. If your dog fails the test, we will return your check and suggest that you enroll your dog in a novice obedience class before attempting an agility class.
See Obedience Classes for information.
Agility is physical sport for dogs and handlers. As your dog’s confidence and skill increases, she will be negotiating longer courses at higher speeds. As a handler, you will be required to run through all or part of the course with your dog.
Additionally, all students are required to help setting up and taking down equipment. While you don’t need to be an athlete, you do need to be in good physical condition. There’s a reason it’s called “agility”.
In our agility classes, we are training the team: dog and handler. The dog is not learning skills independently. You are both learning a new way to communicate, verbally and physically.
You may have more than one person handle your dog in agility class, but both handlers need to attend class.
Continuing classes are limited to 8 students.
Beginning classes may have more students, as there is usually some natural attrition.
We do not offer private training through our club.
We have a fixed number of classes each day and a fixed number of spaces in each class. The most advanced classes are in the morning; intermediate and beginning classes are in the afternoon.
As students progress and as class vacancies occur, they are moved to an earlier (more advanced) class. When enough vacancies occur, we have enough empty spaces to move everyone up and make room for a new beginning class.
We cannot predict when students will leave class.
Our classes are usually completely full, and we have a long notification list, particularly for those requesting Saturday classes. As space becomes available, we will notify those interested by email. We do give priority to our active club members and former and current WLAOTC students.
If you want to increase the probability that you will be offered a space, you may become an active club member or enroll in one of our obedience classes.
Has your contact information changed? Make sure to fill out an updated Agility Notification List form.
Agility classes are held on Wednesdays from 8 am till noon, Thursdays from 8 am to 3:30 pm and Saturdays from 8 am till 4 pm at Rancho Park. It is a public park and you are welcome to observe classes.
The most advanced classes are in the morning and less advanced classes are in the afternoon. If you come, please stay outside the area marked by the fencing and please don’t ask the trainer questions during or between classes.
If your dog is with you, make sure you keep him/her on leash and at least 6 feet from other dogs.
No. You and your dog will learn basic skills and be introduced to all the obstacles in your first beginners’ 8-week session. It takes months to become proficient.
Before the end of each 8-week session, you will be asked if you wish to continue in class. Most of our students continue in agility classes for months and years, progressing to more and more advanced classes, and competing in agility trials.
Our trainer adjusts her training based upon the capabilities of the students, regardless of the time of day. Before each new session, she arranges the classes by grouping handlers and dogs with similar skills.
Move ups are done as vacancies occur in more advanced classes and the trainer will recommend a team be advanced when they have acquired most of the skills at their current level.
Introductions
Agility Title Trackers
- CPE Title Tracker Levels 1 – 2
- CPE Title Tracker Level 3
- CPE Title Tracker Level 5
- UKI Title Tracker
- AKC Title Tracker
Find an Agility Trial
Register Your Dog
Agility Class Guidelines
- If you are unable to make the class, notify the instructor thereby opening a time slot for a makeup class for someone else.
- Class makeups are allowed per instructor approval once the team has completed two consecutive 8-week sessions.
- Crates are required. Handlers must secure their dog in a crate or ex-pen (if the dog will stay in it) when not in the ring.
- Dogs must be leashed to and from the ring.
- Teams must be on time for class and ready to participate.
- Must pay for sessions on time promptly after notification from the registrar. Handlers/students
not current by the 2nd week mark will risk being dropped from class. - Handlers in the first class MUST arrive on time to help set up. If unable to do so, please let the registrar know.
- Handlers in the last class MUST stay until all the equipment is put away. If you are unable to do so, please let the registrar
know.
Drop-In class requirements:
Drop-in handlers/dogs must meet the same basic requirements.
Basic Requirements for Competition Agility Class
- Teams must comply with requirements to qualify for the class as determined by the instructor.
- No class makeups allowed. Absent students may give their spots to other qualified teams.
- If you are unable to make the class, notify the instructor/registrar and you may offer your time slot to another team.
- Crates are required. Handlers must secure their dog in a crate or ex-pen (if the dog will stay in
it) when not in the ring. - Dogs must be leashed to and from the ring.
- Students must be in good standing with the Club:
- Teams must be on time for class and ready to participate.
- Must pay for sessions on time promptly after notification from the registrar. Handlers/students
not current by the 2nd week of the session will risk being dropped from class. - All handlers must help set jumps throughout the class until the class is over.
- Handlers in the first class MUST arrive on time to set up. If unable to do so, please let the registrar know.
- Handlers in the last class MUST stay
until all the equipment is put away. If unable to do so, please let the registrar know.
Drop-In Class Requirements
Drop-in handlers/dogs must meet the same basic requirements.
Basic Requirements for Competition Agility Class
- Teams must be competing at the excellent/master’s level in AKC, Level 5/Level C in CPE or Novice/Senior in UKI . Teams do not have to qualify in an event, they just need to have participated. Verification may be required.
- Teams must compete a minimum of 6 days per 6-month period. The verification will be every 6 months beginning June 2025 and run every 6-month period following.
- Unless currently approved, one space in a class per handler. One drop-in or one class per day unless there is an opening. Allow other eligible students to take the space please.
- Once a dog retires or the handler is no longer in good standing, the student must go to the end of the Waitlist and wait for a new spot to become available.
- No class makeups allowed. Absent students may give or sell their spots to teams on the Waitlist.
- Crates are required. Handlers must secure their dog in a crate or ex-pen (if the dog will stay in it) when not in the ring.
- Dogs must be leashed to and from the ring.
Waitlist:
- Requests to be added to the Waitlist must be done via email to tawnsinclr@aol.com so that date of request can be documented.
- The Waitlist can be found on the Members Only section of the Website. It will be updated quarterly or as needed.
- When an opening occurs, current students will be given priority should they wish to change class times. If the opening is either the first class or last class time, students must be physically capable of setting up or tearing down the equipment.
- Waitlist students must meet the same criteria as permanent students including trial hours and volunteer obligations.
Permanent Students must be in good standing with the Club:
- Teams must be on time for class and ready to participate.
- Must pay for sessions on time promptly after notification from the registrar. Handlers/students
not current by the 2 nd week of the session will risk being dropped from class. - All handlers must help set jumps throughout the class until the class is over.
- Handlers must be in a current service position with the club (board member, registrar,
committee member, lifetime member) or volunteer a minimum of 10 hours per year at club
activities such as the CPE trials, Members Meetings, or other club events. - Handlers in the first class MUST arrive on time to set up. Handlers in the last class MUST stay
until all the equipment is put away. If unable to do so, please let the registrar know. - Crates are required. Handlers must secure their dog in a crate or ex-pen (if the dog will stay in
it) when not in the ring. - Dogs must be leashed to and from the ring.
Drop-In class requirements:
- Drop-in dogs must meet the same basic requirements.
- Drop-ins should be offered to the Waitlist students first.
- Handlers may not take 2 drop-in classes on the same day. Please allow others an
opportunity to take a drop-in class.
Dog Safety Policy
For all of our classes it is required that dogs are to be leashed and held by a person, placed inside a crate or in an Xpen during class time. Tying dogs to fences, benches, stakes or the like is not allowed.
If you have any questions or concerns after reading the policy, please email us at wlaotc@wlaotc.com