Agility

The Agility Dog Club of NSW Inc is a non-profit organisation formed to help provide Agility facilities needed in this growing sport.  We encourage pure and mixed breeds.  Our aim is to provide an atmosphere, through agility, for all handlers with their dogs to have fun and to have the option to compete in various trials which are held throughout Australia.

Starting Out
On joining our club, new members are given a one hour introductory class, where the foundations of agility training are taught.  The following week, you start in Beginners' Class.

Beginners' Class
In this class you will be given a basic introduction to the obstacles (jumps and tunnels) and to the commands used. We also start teaching the contact criteria of "2 on 2 off" and basic control commands - "sit, down and follow my hand". All work is on-lead. You will then progress to Green Class.

Green Class
In this class, additional obstacles such as the dog-walk, A-frame, small see-saw and weavers are  introduced.  Principles of positive training and gaining basic control of your dog will be emphasized.  The importance of contact equipment behaviour is also emphasized.  The team of handler and dog need to show competence before their promotion to Yellow Class.

Yellow Class
Dogs are now trained on small sequences of obstacles and new handling techniques (on both the left and right hand sides) are taught.   In order to be promoted to Blue Class, dogs must be competent in being handled off-lead, show understanding of contact behaviour and be able to weave unassisted on both sides.

A ‘‘Fun” competition is held on the fourth Thursday of each month.  Certificates are awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place-getters.

Weaving Classes are sometimes held in conjunction with Yellow Class.

Blue Class
This class uses full sized equipment and dogs must be over 12 months old to train on this equipment.  Emphasis is on handling and an introduction to running courses and trialling.

Red Class
Most handlers in this class trial and train on different combinations of obstacles.

It is considered that dogs under the age of 15 months have not reached a level of maturity adequate for the stress of formal competition.  Therefore, dogs need to be 15 months of age to participate in  Agility Dog Club competitions. (Committee Meeting September 2011)

A club Agility and Jumping competition is held, under trial conditions, for Blue and Red Class handlers on the fourth Thursday of each month.  More info.  An Auslink 2012 course may be used.  Prizes are awarded at the end of year breakup party.

Training Multiple Dogs.  More info ...