Agility Classes
Agility is the ultimate game for you and your dog. Dogs navigate an obstacle course leaping over jumps, racing through tunnels, zipping across elevated walkways, whipping through weave poles, and more! Agility is fast, exciting, and fun!
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But agility is a lot more than just a good time. It is great exercise for both you and your dog, a tremendous confidence builder, and an energy outlet for the highly active dog.
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Through agility, you'll reinforce and broaden your dog's responsiveness- all in an environment that's entertaining and enjoyable for both the dog and the handler.
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We currently have a waitlist for beginner agility classes. The daytime could be Monday thru Friday 9 to 3. Evening could be Monday thru Friday 4 to 8 pm.
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Registering for the waitlist does not confirm a spot in the class! Students on the waitlist are the first to be notified when a new beginner class is added.
The date and time assigned to the wait list is not accurate! We just need to put a random date & time in order to have the waitlist in our system. When a new beginner class is added, you will be notified of the class time, day and instructor.
Family Dog II, Family Dog III, or the equivalent is a pre-requisite for Beginner Agility! If you have not attended classes with us, an evaluation is necessary to determine if this class will be a good fit for you & your dog PRIOR to registering for the class. Evaluations are free and can be done Monday - Thursday, 10 am - 4 pm. Please contact our office at 860-646-5033 or office@tailsuwin.com to schedule an evaluation.
The Obstacle Fun Class is not required to take a Beginner Agility class , but is certainly beneficial, and highly recommended. Beginner Agility classes do require more commitment (usually the intention of continuing indefinitely).
Pam O'Day
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Agility classes with Pam O'Day are highly interactive. Students are encouraged to analyze handling strategies, ask questions, offer suggestions, and support one another. Pam teaches handlers how to break down courses into manageable pieces and how to evaluate handling lines to find the most efficient path for both dog and handler. She regularly introduces exercises that develop stronger communication and increase each dog's potential. Agility is about more than simply running a course. Students in Pam's classes often discuss preventive health care, conditioning, injury prevention, rules and regulations, and insights from their own trial experiences. ​
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To be considered for Pam's classes, your dog should have a reliable recall, sit, down, stand, stay, and leave it. A sense of humor and a strong work ethic are also recommended!
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The 6 week sessions are $185 plus tax.
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Beginner Classes with Pam
Pam currently teaches 16 Beginner through Advanced Competition Agility Classes
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Tuesdays (9 AM - 3:30 PM), Wednesdays (5 - 9 PM), Thursdays (4:30 PM - 9 PM), and Fridays (4:45 PM - 8:30 PM).
If your dog has already been introduced to equipment and you have prior handling experience, and you would like your dog to be evaluated to determine which class would best suit you as a team, please contact Pam directly at intrepid055@gmail.com.
Bonnie Henderson
Bonnie Henderson is a national agility competitor and an outstanding instructor. Bonnie's approach is fun, easy to understand and has great results - many of her students have MACH's and compete on the national level.
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Whether you are interested in agility for recreation or competition, it is important to continue to practice the basic principles of positive training and foster the best possible relationship with your dog. Her classes focus not only on providing a good and safe foundation for learning the obstacles, but also how to become a more knowledgeable and successful handler.
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Bonnie teaches Beginner through Advanced on Mondays, both AM and PM classes.
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Beginner Classes with Bonnie
Lisa Loomis
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Beginner Agility Classes: In this 6-week class teams will learn foundations to be successful in the sport of dog agility. Learn important skills like shaping, improve your clicker training mechanics, and build your dog's engagement around distractions all while emphasizing exercises specific to agility. Dogs will be slowly introduced to equipment as they progress through the course.
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Classes are 75 minutes. Please bring LOTS of treats, a pop up crate for your dog to settle in while not working, busy work such as a stuffed Kong, snuffle mat, or bully stick, and your dog's favorite toys.
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* MUST complete Family Dog II prior to signing up for beginner class*
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Competition classes: this is a 6 week class, teams must be competing and must be proficient on all the obstacles. A pop up crate is required for your dog to settle in while not working.​
Beginner Classes with Lisa
Kathy Steffens
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Agility Foundations: In this 6-week class, students, dogs learn to work around distractions and get introduced to flat work and handling for agility that will prepare them for a beginner agility class. While it is not a prerequisite for a beginner class, it is highly recommended. It is open enrollment, and you are provided 8 weeks to complete 6 weeks.
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* MUST complete Family Dog II prior to signing up for class*
$185 + tax (Members take 10% off, learn more about membership here)
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Kathy teaches Agility Foundations on Friday mornings and Saturday mornings.