Registration form for Agility Training - New Members:    

 

Registration form for Agilty Training - Current Members:    

Basic Foundations Class for Agility

 

Beginners - The Basic Foundations Agility Class is for dogs that are just starting out in agility. Registration for our next Basic Foundations agility class will be done during the Open House & Registration on October 19, 2024. See above for the registration forms; Be sure to use the correct form: Current club member or New member to the club. It is helpful/preferred to have the forms filled out and needed dog info copies collected prior to your arrival at the open house. Cash or check payment will be collected at the Open House.

 

On Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM, we will be having an Agility Open House & Registration to introduce you and your dog to the MDTC agility program. There will be an introduction, question and answer forum, an equipment "try-it" opportunity for you and your dog, a basic obedience testing (sit, stay, come, attention, reaction/impulse) and full registration into the class. This will take place at our indoor training facility off of 25th & St. Paul.

 

This class start is for both new members or current club members new to agility (not currently in an agility class). Precedence is given to high scoring current MDTC members. Currently active agility members starting a new dog are automatically approved into the class after talking to the agility DOT; the remaining spots are awarded at the open house testing.

 

Class size will be limited to approximately 14 handlers and dogs (there will be about 8 spots available for the testing). This class will fill on the day of testing/registration. The better you and your dog work together as a team, the better your odds are for earning a spot. MDTC's agility program is highly recognized for it's attention to skill and fun, creative foundation work. The program is always at member capacity so an earned spot in this class is your first accomplishment as a team with your dog! Application, approval and payment is required to hold your spot. Please contact the agility director of training if you have questions- agility@milwaukeedog.com

 

This Basic Foundations class starts on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 8:00 am until 9:45am (this time includes your participation in course set-up and re-set). This class will run from November through April on Saturdays only during those times. The next new class will not start until the fall of 2025. Please be certain that you can and will commit weekly to these late Saturday mornings for these first 5 months to establish your basics within the program.

 

Those wanting to start agility classes should have a reliable sit, stay, down and come. Dogs should exhibit a fair level of impulse control and desire to follow your instruction. Dogs should also possess handler focus and be fairly confident in trying new things. These classes are great starts for puppies who have successfully excelled and completed a puppy class on up to adult dogs looking for a fun hobby or needed exercise! 

 

---

 

Experienced Agility Handlers

 

Registration is open year-round to agility handler-dog teams who have completed basic or foundations levels of agility at another facility. You can join in at any level (Beginner, Novice, Intermediate or Advanced). Space is often limited due to high program demand. Contact us to inquire about possible openings.

 

MDTC is a great place for well seasoned handlers who want to add in varied training facilities and/or instructor feedback.

 

Outdoor training: June through October

Indoor training: October through May

 

---

 

What is Dog Agility?

 

Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives. The handler may not touch the dog or obstacles. The dog and handler perform as a team; handler guidance, dog performance. The handler guides the dog by voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the dog and strategic coordination of the handler. In some situations, the handler should be close to the dog exercising control to insure that the dog performs the more precise aspects of negotiating a given obstacle. In other situations, the handler should be able to send the dog out or away to a distant obstacle, while the handler takes a shorter route to the next critical location on the course.

 

In its simplest form, an agility course consists of a set of standard obstacles laid out by a judge or instructor. The surface may be of grass, dirt, turf or rubber. Depending on the type of competition, obstacles may be marked with numbers that must be followed in order or, obstacles are given a point value and it is up to the handler to comprise the best strategy to accumulate the most points. The number and types of obstacles on a course varies according to the performance level of the dog and handler.

 

Courses are complicated enough that a dog could not complete them correctly without human direction. In competition, the handler must assess the course, decide on handling strategies, and direct the dog through the course, with precision. Speed is very important but control and accuracy are vital to complete courses successfully. The performance should convey an image of fun, enthusiasm, and companionship between the dog and handler.  

 

Agility Organization Guide

 

Read about the Midwest's most popular agility venues.

LEARN MORE   

 

 

Tracy McCarty and Australian Shepherd, Fourwinds Denali Zeni’s Legacy, "Zeni"

Agility - Australian Shepherd Club of America Nationals Specialty. West Bend, WI. In September, Aussie‘s from all over the United States, Canada and Europe gathered for competition in various sanctioned events.

 

Zeni qualified and placed in all her runs. She titled in both Jumpers and Gamblers. Most exciting, she received High In Trial, ranking her #1 in her class. With this high honor, Zeni will be pictured in the Aussie Times publication. Congratulations!

 

Tracy McCarty and Australian Shepherd Sierra Jade’s Star Legacy, "Sierra"

Australian Shepherd Club of America Nationals Specialty

 

Sierra qualified in all but one of her runs and placed in all but three of her runs. She titled in Gamblers.

 

 

---

 

Daryl Ann Stuppan and All American, "Cashmere"
CPE Agility - Wags, Spring Grove, Illinois, 

September 22nd.

 

Entered Standard Level 4, Qualified (Q‘d) and placed 1st! Entered Jackpot Level 5, Q‘d and placed 3rd. This Q moves Cashmere to the Champion level (C) in Jackpot. Entered Colors Level C and placed 1st. September 23rd. Entered Fullhouse Level 5 - Q‘d Entered Standard Level 4, Q‘d and placed 2nd. This Q moves Cashmere to Level 5 in Standard.  

 

---