Classes

Class start every 8 weeks and run Monday through Thursday evenings, and Tuesdays and Saturdays during the day.

Classes offered include:

• Puppy Parties
• Basic obedience
• Rally Obedience
• Pre-agility
• All levels of agility classes

We also offer clinics for specific advanced agility skills. (see below for details)

Call (250-320-5787) or email Mary ( pmzacharatos@shaw.ca ) for information about current class schedules and details of upcoming registrations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PUPPY PARTIES

Q: What are puppy parties?

A: Puppy parties are for very young dogs (must be under 6 months of age to attend) and include some socializing with the other puppies, recalls, early attention and obedience skill practice and basic canine education. Puppies must have had at least 2 puppy shots by a Veterinarian to attend.

BASIC OBEDIENCE CLASS

Q: What is basic obedience class?

A: The exercises will include sits, downs, stays, and attention and wait games. Also, skills necessary for agility and Rally Obedience class will be introduced, including healing (on both the right and left if you are going into agility), finishes, targeting etc.

Q: What dogs should attend basic obedience?

A: Basic obedience is an excellent class for all dogs, and is a pre-requisite for dogs going into agility or Rally Obedience class.

AGILITY

Q: What is agility?

A: Agility is the fastest growing dog sport in North America. Dogs, guided by their handlers, run through an obstacle course of teeter totters, tunnels, jumps, tires, weave poles, climbing frames and more. It is often featured on television.

Q: What types of dogs can do agility?

A: All able bodied dogs can do agility - young and old, purebreds and mixed breeds. If your dog is physically healthy, but restricted because of structure (long body, short legs, etc), there is a special class he/she can compete in that allows for lower jumps and a lower climbing frame. As well, small dogs climb a lower climbing frame which makes the sport much more fun for the little ones.

Q: How old do the dogs have to be to compete?

A: Dogs cannot compete until they are 18 months of age. This is because their bones do not fully develop until 14 months or older, so the equipment must be kept at a low height while the dogs are young. This means that a dog should not be practicing full height jumps or steep climbing frame until 15 or 16 months of age. Training for agility can be quite lengthy as there are numerous skills to be learned to do this sport well. Therefore, young dogs are welcome and the exercises will be kept appropriately simple and safe to the age of the dog.

Q: Can older dogs play at agility?

A: Some older dogs are restricted by natural aging processes, such as mild arthritis. There are special heights for older dogs that allow them to perform lower jumps and climb a lower a-frame in competition, minimizing any discomfort they may encounter. It is not uncommon to see 11 and 12 year old dogs still running and having fun in agility.

Q: What training do dogs need before they can enter an agility class?

A: All dogs need basic obedience training. It's best to attend an obedience class that is geared towards agility, as there are certain skills your dog will need that may differ from what's taught at a more classical obedience class. After basic obedience, dogs start their agility training at the pre-agility level.

RALLY OBEDIENCE

Q: What is Rally Obedience?

A: The newest dog sport which combines elements of classical obedience with agility style competition. A dog is guided by his handler through a course compiled of up to 17 stations. At each station is a sign with a required exercise on it, such as “Sit, down, sit, forward” or “Halt, 90 degree turn right, forward, halt”. It is a timed competition and there are different levels of difficulty.

Q: What type of dogs can do Rally Obedience?

A: All dogs, mixed or purebred, can compete in Rally Obedience. It's a wonderful activity for dogs with physical restrictions that prevent them from doing other sports and for older dogs that still like to get out and play with their owners. However, all dogs benefit and love training and competing in Rally Obedience.

Q: How old do the dogs have to be to train for Rally Obedience?

A: Training can start anytime after the dog has successfully completed obedience class. As there is no jumping involved at the novice level, younger dogs can participate fully in all exercises.

Q: What are the differences between Rally Obedience and CKC obedience competition?

A: First, all dogs can compete in Rally Obedience. Also, you do not lose any points for repeating commands or praising and encouraging your dog. In fact, extra points are often given for “good attitude”. Also, the courses are always different, so it will not become boring for either handler or dog.