Class Information

Schedule of Fees and Membership

Inclement Weather Policy

What Do I Need to Get Started in Agility at Paws for Applause?

Required Equipment For My Beginner Classes

Beginner's IV Advancement Test Requirements

Beginner Graduate Test Requirements

PFA Equipment and Merchandise

 

Six Week Session Format

Your dog must be 10 weeks of age or older and have a first series of shots. No dogs with human or animal aggression are allowed in group classes. Children are welcome provided they are over 8 and weigh more than their dog. No prior Obedience training is required to start in the Beginner I Agility class. Obedience for Agility is part of the Beginner class curriculum.

First, you'll need to call 972-475-9253 or email Bonnie (click here) to set up an appointment for an Orientation/Evaluation. You and your dog will attend a private Evaluation and Orientation that will last between 25-50 minutes depending on the dogs level of socialization and the handlers level of dog training experience. Most dogs with no formal training experience are going to take around 50 minutes. The cost is $1 per minute for a private and .75 cents per mimnute for semi-private. You'll need to have a check with you or cash before the Eval/Orient starts. You'll need to visit the web site for driving directions and Required Equipment For My Beginner Classes. Be sure to have all equipment listed exactly as on the web site and get here early enough to put your equipment on and be ready to start. Once I meet you, your time starts even if you aren't ready with your proper equipment in place and ready to go.

The Orientation will introduce you to Operant Conditioning (clicker training) and your dog to some of the equipment. The Evaluation will be to insure that your dog is eligible to attend group classes by not displaying any aggression towards other dogs or the instructor. If your dog displays aggression during the Evaluation and your dog is deemed ineligible for the group classes, you can be considered for private lessons.

Once you have completed the Orientation/Evaluation you will be integrated right into the Beginner Class of your choice (unless full). Once you have paid for your classes you must start the week of your O/E or no later than the following week. There are NO REFUNDS once you've paid for your Session of Classes.

The Beginner Classes to choose from are:

• Tues from 8-9pm
• Thurs from 7-8pm
• Fri morning (this class time varies from summer to winter)

The group class must begin within a week of your Orientation/Evaluation or you will need to enroll in and pay for another Orientation/Evaluation if you should choose to delay the start of your Beginner Session. Group classes are $85 per session (6 consecutive group classes).
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Beginner

• Notebook or Binder to hold weekly class handouts for study and homework
• 6 foot leather or nylon leash, between 1/2 and 3/4 inch in width, no more narrow, no more wide
• A flat collar with plastic quick release like they have on back packs, etc.
• A "Gentle Leader" only for dogs that pull on the leash
• Hip pack like runners use to hold their sun glasses, wallets, etc., to hold food rewards (put your Biljack balls in this) - no plastic bags in hip pack. Make sure the bag has a zipper or closes with velcro and straps around your waist, no clip ons.
• Thawed out, frozen BilJack dog food (you can find this in the freezer section of most grocers), hand molded into 5-6 golf ball sized balls and placed inside your Hip pack.
• A clicker (do not buy the bone shaped clicker, it's too hard to hear). Buy the round or box shaped clicker.
• A 12' to 15' Long line, which can be made from rope that's about 1/4 inch in diameter (Home Depot or Lowe's), with a clip attached to one end to attach to the collar (Home Depot or Lowe's)
• Toys that the dog likes (balls, frisbee, squeeky, tug)
• An old (or new) bath towel for dogs under 25 lbs. and a beach towel for dogs over 25 lbs.
• Shoes that you can run in on grass with tread (indoor soccer, softball or football shoes without metal cleats are best), no open toed shoes, no heels, no smooth bottomed tennis shoes
• A water bowl and water for you
• Poopy bags to pick up after your dog
• A copy of your dogs rabies shots
• Minimum 13"-15" plastic or wooden kitchen spoon (Target: 99 cents), slatted preferred. Slatted Spatula O.K. NO METAL on spoon or metal on spatula allowed. Max. 18" for toy dogs.
• Big jar of cheap smooth peanut butter or cream cheese or Cheese Wiz to put on Spoon or Spatula.

Intermediate and Advanced Class:

• All of the above and
• A 4"-6" pull tab
• Stop Watch

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Equipment For Sale

• Teeter Base: $70
• Dog Walk Base: $90 each
• Metal Training Channel Weave poles (set of twelve): $100 (does NOT include PVC poles)
• Ranch Stakes: $2.50

• Pullover Wind Breaker Jacket: $28.50 (black,royal)
• Long Sleeve Sweatshirt: $22.50 (black, royal)
• Long Sleeve Shirt: $18.50 (black, royal)
• Short Sleeve Shirt: $16.50 (black,royal)
• Vee Neck Sleeveless Shirt: $16.50 (Royal,red)
• Tie Dye tank top (mens) sleeveless Crop Top (ladies) or short sleeve tee shirt: $18.50
• Fanny Packs: $12.50 (royal)
• Equipment Bags, Baseball Caps, heavy crew jackets, jumpsuits, visors, can be ordered.

We have found over the years that it actually saves students money to take a test outside of normal class time in order to move up to "off leash" classes. Tests done outside of class are also done with fewer distractions and more one on one help. If students are NOT tested, many move up to off leash class with weak recalls and impulse control. This has lead in the past to lots of chasing and running around and disruption of class and wasted class time. It also saves the student money because students that work hard to pass the test are competition ready sooner than those that don't. Most important of all, moving to "off leash" classes without the skills to pass a test, add unrealistic expectations, and therefore, stress on the dog, which is not fair to the dog.

When students are tested, it points out particular areas of weakness and provides the student with training strategies for fixing these specific problems, rather than not being tested and moving to competition level only to be disappointed with below satisfactory performance by their dog and handling problems that are never specifically addressed. The longer problems go without help, the more likely they turn into a bad habit and the longer they take to resolve.

In order to be considered for advancement to the off leash classes you must have a Beginner IV Certificate and pass the B4 test. You must complete 5 out of 6 classes in each Session in order to receive each Certificate. If you are absent for more than one held class for any reason, you must take an additional Session of classes until you have 4 Certificates. For many of the required skills on the test below, you must train your dog outside of scheduled class times: either at home, at the school or both, in order to gain the proficiency and understanding needed to pass the test. Before taking the test, you may need to make an appointment with Bonnie for a private lesson to help with issues that you are having with specific skills you find particularly difficult.

Required additional equipment to take the Beginner IV test is a "Pull Tab." The Pull Tab can be purchased on line (search the web) or you can easily make one by cutting off an old leash with the clip still attached so it's about 12" long. Then cut the length of the tab by making sure the end is no longer than the tip of the dogs shoulder when the dogs head is straight out from his body and not lifted. Knot the end with one or two knots. For nylon leashes, you can burn the knotted end to make sure it doesn't come untied.

A Pull Tab is used when your dog is off leash in class to gain control in a variety of situations and is VERY handy. You will be required to have the Pull Tab with you in order to take the test.

While taking the test you may talk with your dog, feed your dog between exercises and physically "set your dog up" to test each skill, but you may not physically guide your dog or touch your dog during the exercise. It is expected that your dog will be able to do all Stationary Behaviors and Recalls exactly as listed in the test in order to pass. The dogs should be proficient in all other behaviors listed.

The test will take anywhere from 25-55 minutes and is $1 per minute. This will encourage people to train hard outside of class and to be really ready to pass the test. During the test, you will be getting tips and suggestions to help you move forward in areas that are of particular difficulty for you and your dog. The test must be arranged ahead of time with Bonnie. If you don't pass the test, you will be eligible to take the test again at the end of your next session, provided you attend 5 out of 6 classes in that session. Once you pass the test, you move to the "dropped leash" Beginner Graduate level.

If a student feels particularly confident, once they have received their B4 certificate, they may opt to take their B4 and BG test combined. If a specific skill is on both tests, the skill will only be tested once, but will be the skill from the harder BG test. If they fail the test, they must take another Session of classes before they can test again. Only the portions of the test not passed will be tested again. This option might be good for a dog and handler with lots of prior Obedience and/or Agility training. This option is NOT recommended for young dogs or dogs with any fear, speed, confidence or stress issues.

Required Skills For Beginner IV Advancement

• 15 second Sit Stay on Long Line at 10 feet
• 30 second Down Stay on Long Line at 10 feet
• Restrained by "Friendly Stranger" without undue struggle or fearfulness (of Instructor). Then the handler runs away to midfield and recalls dog to midfield. Once dog is near handler, the handler will Pivot and run back to where they started, recalling the dog. The dog must change direction without sniffing, wandering off or delay (2 chances). No reinforcers allowed at midfield, only praise.
• Moving Sit (dog executes the Sit while walking at your side)
• Moving Down (dog executes the Down while walking at your side)
• Handler understanding of and demonstrating "Back" with rear cross on the flat
• Handler understanding of and demonstrating "Here" with front cross on the flat
• "Two On, Two Off" position with Stay on the Contacts, including easy proofing for 10 seconds. Handler will demonstrate steps of, handler position and understanding of verbal release for all Stationary Behaviors.
• Will release from HP by a verbal cue only (no movement from handler): "Break" or "O.K."
• Hoop at a run (2 chances)
• 6 Weave poles channel at 4" apart, straight entry (2 chances), target O.K., but no food; or two sets of 2X2's (four poles) with no luring while standing 2' from poles.
• Closed Chute (2 chances)
• Jump on the Table without hesitation, Down and Sit
• Will move to the end of the full size Teeter when placed on the fulcrum while it drops onto the ground without the handler holding or touching the dog once placed on the fulcrum.
• Will focus on face for 20 seconds
• Will jump two winged jumps and go through an open shoot, without reward between obstacles or hesitation.
• Will follow hand for pivot to the right and pivot to the left.
• Jump the Broad Jump (Long Jump) correctly without stepping on planks of jump (2 chances).
• From HP the dog will move 10 feet away from handler with "Go" command to a Target (no food).
• From HP the dog will move 10 feet away from handler with "Out" command to a Target (no food).
• Demonstrate the dogs' understanding of the "watch me" and "leave it" commands. While the handler jogs and walks fast, the dog will remain in heel position for 200 feet (straight down the entire training field) off leash. Verbal encouragement for the dog is O.K. Food can only be given once for the entire length of field. A food distraction or other distraction will be presented to the dog by instructor and the handler must use a "leave it" command when the dog shows interest in the distraction. The dog must then immediately respond to the "leave it" command and successfully recall into heel position.
• Demonstrate the dogs' understanding of "Round the Clock" weave entries. From HP dog will enter the correct side of the weave poles with two poles only from the 11:00 position (two chances). No food but Target is O.K.
• Will demonstrate heel work by moving thru a series of cones placed in a Figure Eight pattern. This will be off leash. Handler can give dog food twice, only in the middle of the Eight, as handler executes a front cross to change sides in the middle. Dog must remain in HP for the entire figure eight pattern.
• Will execute the entire Contact trainer off leash with proper 2o2o criteria at the bottom. Although the dog does not have to fulfill the 2o2o criteria perfectly, the handler must show compete understanding of the handler criteria for 2o2o and how to fix missed contacts by their dog.
• Will execute the entire baby Dogwalk off leash with proper 2o2o criteria at the bottom. Although the dog does not have to fulfill the 2o2o criteria perfectly, the handler must show compete understanding of the handler criteria for 2o2o and how to fix missed contacts by their dog.
• Beginner 4 Test: Definitions
  
  
Compulsion Training - the traditional style of dog training where the dog is modeled or otherwise forcibly compelled to perform the behavior and physically corrected for non-compliance.

Operant Conditioning - The process of changing an animal’s response to a certain stimulus by manipulating the consequences (giving a reinforcer) to the response. Clicker training is a subset of Operant Conditioning, using only positive reinforcement.

Marker (or Conditioned Reinforcer) - using a signal (click or “yes”) to mark a desired behavior and attaching a Reinforcer to it.

Cue - a behavior (word, motion, position) from a trainer that initiates a trained behavior from the dog.

Reinforcer - something that increases behavior.

Aversive - something that decreases behavior.

Contact Obstacles - the See-Saw, Aframe, Dogwalk, Table.

A Behavior Chain - a chain of specific behaviors linked together to perform a specific task with one Cue, one Marker and one Reinforcer.

Back Chain - starting at the end of a behavior chain and working back to the beginning of the chain, in order to train a chain of behaviors.

Stationary Behavior - any behavior where the dog is asked to cease motion (Contacts/Sits/Downs/Table).

Directional - a word that initiates the dogs change of direction (out, go, here, back).

Proprioception - a dogs spatial and physical awareness of all body parts.

Crosses - where dog changes from one side of handler to the other side, signaled by a physical or verbal cue or both.

Release Word - a verbal command that ends a Stationary Behavior.

Two On Two Off - 2 front paws in grass or ground and 2 rear paws on contacts.

Heel Position - dogs front leg on right or left of handlers leg, dogs shoulders parallel to handlers shoulders and facing the same direction as handler.

Independent Behavior - a behavior that is trained to be independent of handlers motion (Weaves, all Stationary Behaviors).

Oppositional Reflex - pulling on the dog to get them to want pull away from handler to build drive and enthusiasm for exercise.

Recall - giving the dog a verbal cue to stop what they are doing and to return to handler in Heel Position.

Send - sending the dog away from handler to execute a behavior.

Restrained Recall - using Oppositional Reflex to build enthusiasm for recalls to handler.

Verbal Discrimination - where dog can discriminate between two different obstacles with a verbal only cue from handler (i.e.“shoot” from “weaves”).

On The Flat - exercises that are performed in between obstacles.

Target - a visual stimulus to use to direct dog to a particular place.

Shaping - training or teaching by working towards a desired or target behavior by systematically reinforcing successive approximations toward the target behavior. (The target behavior is the behavior you want to train.)

Bridge - a Bridge is a verbal marker that indicates to the dog that the behavior they are engaged in is the correct behavior and will be reinforced. It is "a promise to pay" and the "pay" is the delivery of the reinforcer upon completion of the behavior.

Guidelines for Shaping Behaviors:

- Select from normally occuring (random) behaviors
- Reinforce very small increments
- Reinforce continuously
- Associate behaviors and consequences precisely
- Stretch the patterns (that receive reinforcement)
- Recognize mutual reinforcement (mutual shaping).

B-4's who have passed the B-4 Test, will return to Beginner class at the Beginner Graduate level for a minimum of one Session. At the Beginner Graduate level, they will be asked to do advanced Beginner exercises to prepare them for the off leash, Intermediate level. Some of these behaviors they must train for outside of class, as all students wishing to advance must train outside of class time either at home or here at the facility. The Beginner Graduate level will be done primarily with a dropped long line or dropped leash.

Beginner Graduates can stay at the Graduate level for as long as they wish. After a minimum of one Session at Beginner Graduate, and when they feel they are ready, they can schedule a test for Beginner Graduate . The Beginner Graduate test will take no more than 30 minutes and cost $1/minute. The Beginner Graduate test can usually be done before or after each students normal class time.

If the student is having problems and can't seem to finish the test in 30 minutes, they have an option of continuing working on the test as a private lesson at $1/minute. They will then be required to enroll in another Session of Graduate Beginner until they feel they are prepared to test again. When tested again, they will only be tested for those parts of the test they didn't pass at $1/minute.

Once all portions of the Graduate Beginner test are passed, the student will move to Intermediate level, which is all off leash.

Required Skills For Beginner Graduate Test

• The entire test must be off leash with pull tab.
• Sit/Stay for 30 seconds
• Down/Stay for 2 minutes
• Over jump and a straight line with dog maintaining HP to jump 20’ away. FC at jump and return and jump 1st jump with no disconnection from dog and without the dog sniffing or running off from handler.
• Over jump and in HP run to shoot 20’ away. RC before shoot and recall to HP, returning and jumping the 1st jump. No disconnection from dog and without the dog sniffing or running off from handler.
• Full size DW into 2o2o.
• Full size AF into 2o2o.
• Full size Climb into 2o2o.
• 12 weaves 3” apart.
• 6 obstacle Jumpers course responding to “leave it” command if dog sniffs or disengages from handler. Must complete course in 40 seconds or less. No treats.
• Serpentine around cones the length of the entire field while dog maintains HP, no treats.
  
  

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All students in Beginner Group classes will be taught “two on, two off” (2o2o) for all contacts, except the Climb (seesaw) for dogs under 20 lbs., for whom a “four on” is recommended. For those Beginner students that request other methods of contact training, we can accommodate them provided a clear criteria is defined.

Seminars are offered once or twice each year for students at all levels who wish to develop a reliable, handler independent running A-frame using the Sanders Box Method. No prior contact training experience is required. For most dogs and handler teams, the running AF takes about 4 times the amount of time to train and maintain, than the 2o2o.

Intermediate and Advanced students who wish to explore other contact training methods are encouraged to discuss these with Bonnie. Students who may like to train a running dogwalk that is reliable and handler independent should understand that for most dog and handler teams, it will take about 8 times the amount of time to train and maintain, than the 2o2o. Private lessons will be available to assist students in succeeding with the method of their choice.

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