We separate our classes into basically three groups

Our Class Structure:

Head Start for Agility:  This class introduces you and your dog to the sport of agility by teaching the foundations for obstacle training.  You will work towards off lead control and how to develop a working relationship with your dog.  This class is a two month commitment, you must start from the beginning and attendance is crucial for you and your dog's success.

The Agility Foundation Skills Class:  This class teaches all of the foundations skills DOGTAG instructors feel are necessary to do agility.  For safety and consistency we teach a controlled exit from all contact obstacles, a targeted two on and two off with a release word.  This class is a six month commitment, you must start from the beginning and attendance is crucial for you and your dog's success.

This is a skill building class and one class builds upon another.  Missing classes and not doing your homework will put you behind very quickly.  If you miss too many classes or don't do your homework you will need to arrange for private lessons to catch up to the rest of the class to be able to continue with the class.

Be prepared to either build or purchase a minimum amount of foundation equipment.

Class Prerequisite: Dogs must attend the Head Start for Agility class or have instructor permission.

Handling Class:  This class will give the handler a clear defined system of running their dog.  The class will last from four to six month and attendance and doing your homework is crucial for your success.

This is a skill building class and one class builds upon another.  Missing classes and not doing your homework will put you behind very quickly.  If you miss too many classes or don't do your homework you will need to arrange for private lessons to catch up to the rest of the class to be able to continue with the class.

Class Prerequisite: Dogs must have all of their equipment skills to attend this class.

** This class is not for teaching foundation skills. If a dog or handler is still in the learning process of the equipment then they probably aren't ready for this class. ***

Regular Agility Class:  This class works on the handler and dog team in complex exercises and course sequences.

Class Prerequisite: Dogs in this class must be very proficient at all of their equipment.

Recommendations:  To have taken DOGTAG Handling Class or to be currently enrolled in the DOGTAG Handling Class.

*** This class is not for teaching handling skills or foundation skills. If a dog or handler is still in the learning process of the equipment or handling techniques then they probably aren't ready for this class. ***

Handling Skills and Drills: This class is for fine tuning dog and handler skills.  Sequence work focusing on all aspects of handling skills ( 180's, 270's, pinwheels, serpentines, threadles, wraps (push/pull), distance/tight working, obstacle discrimination, depressed angles, side changes ( front cross, rear cross, side changes on the flat, lead out pivots, and shoulder pulls), with jumps, contacts, tunnels and weaves.

*** This class is not for teaching handling skills or foundation skills. If a dog or handler is still in the learning process of the equipment or handling techniques then they probably aren't ready for this class. ***

Course Class: This class is for dog/handler teams needing full course work.  The course will be run and then broken down into sequences.  The course will be analyzed, discussed, and re-worked for optimum performance to improve dog/handler team proficiency.

We will sometimes take a student into an existing Foundation Skills Class if we feel that the methods that they have been teaching and their skill levels blend well with our teaching styles and they fit well within the existing group.  Once we feel a dog is proficient enough at all of the equipment we then move the dog and handler out of the Foundation class into another class.

Admission into an existing class is based solely on the recommendation of the DOGTAG instructors and not on previous classes attended at another facility or at what level you and your dog may be currently trialing.

If you feel that your dog is ready for an advanced class or at a point you could join an existing Foundation Skills Class you may call and schedule to come out and attend a class on a drop-in basis so that the DOGTAG instructors may evaluate you and your dog's skill level.

Drop-ins:  Individual Regular Agility classes may be attended on a space-available basis (with prior approval) at a cost of $20 per class.

Drop-Ins must be schedule with John or Deborah Muehlberg, to schedule a drop-in call  918-827-JUMP (5867) or 813-3682

Our recommendation is to start with our Foundation Skills Class so as not to have to re-train any of the obstacles or initial skills, because re-trained skills are never as reliable as good Foundations skills.