MLF DOGSPORTS OBEDIENCE and AGILITY TRAINING PROGRAM
2011 - 2012 Class Descriptions

2011-2012 Class Schedule

Download the 2011-2012 Registration Form - PDF File
Download the 2011-2012 Registration Form - Word Document

JUMP HEIGHTS
Looking for your jump height in the various agility venues? View jump heights for USDAA, AKC, NADAC, DOCNA.

CLASSES

MLF CLASSES 2011-2012

MLF offers a wide variety of training classes for home, for show and for fun! The following classes will offer a solid foundation on which to build a life-long working relationship with your dog. MLF DogSports relies only on positive reinforcement based on scientific learning principles to teach behaviors specific to the sports of agility and obedience. We do not use methods that apply fear, force, or pain to your teammate. We use food treats and toy play to build and maintain behaviors. Your dog will be begging to do more every lesson, while you have a great time too. Remember! When positive reinforcement and motivation with a balanced approach to training is used, the following becomes true:----the more dogs learn-----the more they want to know----the more they know----the more they want to learn! Join us for training at MLF DogSports, where we encourage thinking dogs!

Training sessions are consecutive throughout the year with a short break in the summer. This provides the necessary continuation of training to allow a dog and handler to progress and succeed in their sport. Training sessions are six weeks long and all classes cost $85. Full payment for a class must be made at the start of each class session. There will no drop in opportunities. Registration is encouraged at least 1 month prior to the beginning of a session, class lists are made on a first received basis. A waiting list is maintained for classes. Instructors will notify students of move-ups and fill available spots upon receipt of registrations. There will be an attempt to make up classes cancelled by MLF due to bad weather. All make up classes will be given at the end of the training year in the format chosen by the instructors. There will be no refunds, credits or make-ups given for classes missed by the students.

MLF DOGSPORTS AGILITY, OBEDIENCE and RALLY TRAINING PROGRAM

BASIC TRAINING and INTRODUCTION to AGILITY
In this class dogs and handlers learn the basic obedience exercises that are necessary for the companion dog. The introduction to agility foundation helps build confidence and teamwork. Handlers learn to motivate their dogs so that training becomes fun and exciting. This class is for dogs that are at least four months old. Monday 7PM

INTERMEDIATE TRAINING and INTRODUCTION to AGILITY
In this class dogs and handlers continue obedience training learning more advanced obedience exercises with the goal of attaining the Good Canine Citizenship award. The introduction to agility obstacles is fun and helps handlers determine if they want to continue on to more serious agility training. Monday 8PM and Wednesday 7PM

ADVANCED OBEDIENCE and RALLY
In this class the emphasis is on perfecting the obedience performance of the team. Competition exercises for Novice through Utility are taught and evaluated during ring practice. Proofing the exercises and training through distractions creates a thinking and reliable obedience dog. Rally station clarification with Novice through Excellent courses helps students prepare for the show ring. Tuesday 7PM

PRE-SPORTS PUPPY FOUNDATION for AGILITY and OBEDIENCE
(4 months to 8 months)
This class will offer you and your puppy an invaluable foundation before embarking on training for your chosen sport. A balance of play and control will form the building blocks necessary to develop your relationship with your puppy early in his life. Motivational games and confidence building will maximize your training sessions with a focused and enthusiastic partner. Class work will include: basic control skills, reliable recalls, attention building games, flatwork exercises, shadow handling, beginning low jump work, and contact training. Prevention of behavior problems are addressed along with building socialization skills with other dogs and people. Wednesday 8 PM 6 wks $85

IS YOUR PUPPY A STAR?

MLF is proud to offer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program to help puppies and their owners off to a good start. This AKC program welcomes all puppies, purebred or mixed breeds, up to a year of age. The S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is available to you by participating in one of the following classes: Pre-sports Puppy Foundation, or Basic Training/Introduction to Agility 1. Upon completion of six classes and passing the requirements, your puppy will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Medal and be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. You will also receive a beautiful, frameable certificate, an AKC Puppy Handbook, discount to enroll in the AKC Companion Animal Recovery Corp. (a 24 hr. recovery service), and Your AKC, an on going monthly email newsletter that includes valuable training tips and up-to-date information that every dog owner needs to know. We are very excited about this wonderful incentive program that encourages responsible dog ownership and fosters the love and care in training that all puppies deserve.

CANINE GOOD CITIZENSHIP OPPORTUNITY AT MLF

MLF also offers twice a year an opportunity for your dog to be evaluated for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program. The purpose of the CGC program is designed to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community because it has been trained to be well behaved in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs and people. . Owners of dogs that pass all ten items of the CGC test may order an official CGC certificate from the American Kennel Club. The S.T.A.R. puppy and the CGC programs are taught and evaluated by Anita Easley, an AKC approved CGC evaluator. More info at: www.akc.org

FOUNDATION AGILITY I
This is a beginning agility class that teaches the dogs and handlers the correct performance of the obstacles. Obedience and familiarization with the obstacles is required for this class. Students are invited into this class upon completion of the Obedience and Agility Intro. 2 class. The dogs must learn to work with their handlers and stay focused on the job at hand. The instructor determines when the student is ready to move on to the next level. Thursday 7PM

FOUNDATION AGILITY II
This class continues the basic training on all obstacles encouraging the dog to work more independently and farther away from the handler. Contact and weave pole performance is perfected and distance is added. Handler skills are introduced to prepare students for directional changes and distance. Students learn about handler/obstacle focus and how and when to use it correctly. Dogs must be exhibiting a good deal of self control by now remaining with their handlers and maintaining “stays” amid distractions. When the teams are proficient they are moved on to Agility1 when openings are available. Thursday 8PM

LEVEL 1 AGILITY
In this class students continue to perfect their handling skills and the dog’s performance on the
obstacles in simple sequencing exercises. Correct and consistent weave pole performance on both sides and from a distance and reliable contact performance is stressed in this class. The instructor troubleshoots any difficulties and helps students work through them . The instructor determines when the student is ready to move to the next level.

LEVEL 2 AGILITY
In this class the emphasis is placed upon the correct efficient use of directional handling skills. The dog will learn to become confident and reliable on contact and weave pole performance allowing the handler to work at a greater distance. Sequencing of obstacles becomes more challenging with directional changes and more obstacles. The instructor determines when the student is ready to move to the next level.

LEVEL 3 AGILITY
In this class students are challenged with an increasing number of obstacles, directional changes and obstacle discriminations. Performance of the weave poles and contacts at a distance and in sequences with a change of sides will be emphasized. The instructor determines when the student is ready to move to the next level.

LEVEL 4 AGILITY
This class teaches the team to work together shifting from handler focus to obstacle focus and back again to meet the demands of more difficult exercises. The dog learns to work with confidence farther away from the handler, increasing the efficiency of the team on course. Handlers learn to negotiate sequences more efficiently planning on where to save time and effort. The instructor determines when the team is ready to move to the next level.

LEVEL 5 AGILITY
In this class teams continue to develop their distance skills, improve directional handling, obstacle discrimination and continue to improve their ability and confidence in performing various obstacle clusters found in advanced agility courses. Course analysis and strategy on time saving, efficient handling is emphasized. The instructor determines when the team is ready to move to the next level.

LEVEL 6 AGILITY
In this class advanced handling skills, distance work, obstacle discrimination and course strategy are emphasized. The difficulty of the exercises offers challenges that perfect the skills of the team and prepares them to handle competition at the Masters/Excellent/Elite level of agility.
We are proud to offer excellent instruction to our students from the following instructors.

Registration is encouraged at least 1 month prior to the beginning of a session. Classes are filled on a first received basis. A waiting list will be maintained for classes. Instructors will notify students of move-ups and fill available spots upon receipt of registrations. There will be an attempt to make up any classes cancelled during any session at the end of the training year in the format chosen by the instructors. There will be no refunds or credits given for
classes missed by students.

All agility classes are limited to six students per instructor. Basic and Intermediate Training classes are limited to fifteen students

We are proud to offer excellent instruction to our students from the following instructors:

Obedience, Rally, Puppy Preschool, Pre-Sports Puppy classes are taught by Anita Easley, a professional dog trainer for 35 years, an AKC CGC Evaluator with obedience titles on multiple breeds, she is a devoted teacher attending seminars and clinics on behavioral and competitive training techniques using what she learns to benefit her students.

Agility classes are taught by:
Kodie Levine, agility instructor for 11yrs., MACH, ADCH, NATCH and MEX, titles on multiple breeds, well known for her volunteer involvement working and supporting agility trials, dedicated to teaching the most cutting edge agility skills learned from lessons, seminars, clinics and contacts with top agility professionals world wide.

Karen Gloor, involved in agility for 16 yrs. as a founding member of Good Dog Agility
Club, an instructor and USDAA judge, ADCH, NATCH, AAD, MAD, JM, RM, SM titles on multiple breeds, show secretary the past 6 years for the USDAA Cynosports World Games at West World.

Kim Kowalski has been a professional obedience and beginning agility instructor for 8
years for the Az.Animal Welfare League, captain and co-founder of Blazin K9's Flyball
team and she does in home behavioral modification training.

Cindy Meadows, owner and director of MLF, raising/training /showing dogs for 33 yrs., multiple breed Championships, obedience titles, agility titles and herding titles.