Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - AG123: Can You Handle It? Beginner Sequences

Course Details

You have the basics of handling from AG 110- now it's time to really play the game - with your first sequences! These sequences are designed to take your skills and apply them with speed, accuracy and confidence. This class is just as well suited as a refresher for an advanced dog as well as a beginner!

We will be working on short sequences that involve the following handling options:

Sends

Front Crosses

Blind Crosses

Rear Crosses

180's

270's

Serpentines

Threadles

There will also be a course options discussion each week, to help you really think about your options on course.

Teaching Approach:

Lectures will be released all at once at the beginning of each week. Lectures include written and video information. Feedback is given in a time stamp format, highlighting each moment of handling.

Knowledge of AG110 is very helpful, but not necessarily required. Please check the syllabus to make sure you are familiar with all the handling maneuvers we will be going through.

Students will need to set up the courses or have someone help them. Some lifting is required. Running and turning will happen during the time you are running a course.

Instructor: Loretta Mueller

Loretta Mueller (she/her) has been involved in agility since 2003 with her first rescue dog, Ace. Since then she has been involved in a variety of dog training activities including USBCHA herding, competitive obedience, rally obedience, and service dog training. In 2007, Loretta...(Click here for full bio and to view Loretta's upcoming courses)

Syllabus

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Each week we will work on two things from AG 110. So for example: Week 1 we could use a Front Cross and a 180. Week 2 could be a serpentine and a rear cross. In short sequences. Ideal space is 40 x 40 for the sequences. More space is always good.

ADVANCED OPTION: For those teams who are more experience, or who want more of a challenge (and can set up entire courses) there will be a Course Analysis each week. If you wish to set up this full course (and your dog is READY--ask me if you do not know please!) you can include that in your 6 minutes of video if you wish.

Week 1: What is connection? How do we achieve it? What happens when there is a disconnect? Starting Sequences.

Novice Course Analysis #1

Week 2: The Anatomy of a Turn: How to have that perfect timing

Novice Course Analysis #2

Week 3: Lead Outs-expanding your calls to heel and side.

Novice Course Analysis #3

Week 4: Finding Lines: Teaching the dog to find a line of jumps so you can get ahead.

Novice Course Analysis #4

Week 5: Changing Lines: What if the path leads to an off course obstacle? Reading decel.

Novice Course Analysis #5

Week 6: GO! Getting out of there! How to maximize your sends in sequencing. Fun and fast!

Novice Course #6

Prerequisites and Equipment

Knowledge of the material covered in AG 110, you can purchase that under pre-reqs if needed! If you are not sure, please contact instructor.
https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/2030

Equipment needed:

3 jumps
a 15 foot tunnel OR something to send your dog around (single jump upright, a cone, bucket, tree!)
40 x 40 space or access to a training facility.

Sample Lecture

Connection: What is it?

Sometimes a concept can be tough to explain, for many people, the idea of "connection" can be something that is hard to grasp.

In agility you are told:

Look where you want your dog to go!
Do not look at your dog!
Make sure you look at your dog!

It can get confusing very quickly. Which is why we are talking about it very early on in this class.

First off, let's talk about the two different types of focus on an agility course: Handler and Obstacle focus.

Handler Focus:

The dog is looking at the handler
What cues handler focus?
- Deceleration (slowing down or stopping)
- Direct eye contact back to the dog
- Turning into the dog
- Calling your dog's name, or a recall command (here or come)
- Noises (clapping)
- Motion (shaking your hands, or flapping your arms)
- Small arms (t-rex arms)

Obstacle Focus:

The dog is looking at the course
What cues obstacle focus?
- Acceleration (running)
- Indirect eye contact (peripheral vision)
- Turning away from the dog
- Saying the obstacle name (jump, tunnel etc)
- BIG arms (sending arms)

Knowing what focus you need where is very important, and helps with thinking about connection.

With your work in AG 110, you practiced connection by looking back at your food or toy reward when you were moving away from your sends. How does this translate to connection on course?

Connection is that moment, when the dog exits an obstacle, that they look to the handler for information. It is the side profile of your face, showing your dog which side of your body to go to, as well as where the line to the next obstacle is.

Testimonials & Reviews

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A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...

AG123 is a true gem, taking the amazing foundation Loretta creates in AG110 and putting those skills into action. Loretta gives exact, detailed review and feedback that allows you to pinpoint where improvements can be made. This also allows a handler to grow in regards to self-coaching and making improvements when working on their own. The emotional well being of the dog and handler is always at the forefront and Loretta is extremely flexible in working on the problem that exists that day, whether it be avoidance, startlines, stress zoomies, motivation Loretta provides a plan. I can't say enough about how great this class was and how much enjoyment and growth I got out of it. Tracey B.

I love working with Loretta. It can be a challenge to work on your own, but she breaks things down so you can problem solve and succeed. She has options for dogs at different ages and skill levels . Anyone that is considering competing in agility should take this class.

Another fantastic class! I learned more in this (and previous class) than I did in years in in-person classes. Great and very descriptive lectures, great and very detailed feedback.

Loretta, you are the absolute best, you inspire me to be a better handler, to push myself and to always put my dog first. Classes with you give me confidence and insight into both myself and my dog and will help propel us forward. #fangirlout

Thank you so much. I live in an area with limited access to training and being able to work with you has been great experience. I have learned so much and plan on taking more of your classes. I hope that I can attend one of your seminars and work with you in person. I really want to take your jumping skills class and would love to see it on the class list in the spring.

Loretta is an excellent instructor, while I wish she didn't live so far away, I'm grateful for FDSA for providing a platform for us to connect.

There is no doubt that Loretta is one of the most caring instructors I've ever met. No matter what you and your dog are struggling with she finds a way to communicate kindly about ways to fix it and most importantly prioritizes the emotional well being of the dog (and handler).

Registration

There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.

Registration opens at 9:30am Pacific Time.

AG123 Subscriptions

	Gold	Silver	Bronze
Tuition	$ 260.00	$ 130.00	$ 65.00
Enrollment Limits	10	15	Unlimited
Access all course lectures and materials	✔	✔	✔
Access to discussion and homework forums	✔	✔	✔
Read all posted questions and answers	✔	✔	✔
Watch all posted videos	✔	✔	✔
Post general questions to Discussion forum	✔	✔	✖
Submit written assignments	✔	✖	✖
Post dog specific questions	✔	With video only	✖
Post videos	✔	Up to 2	✖
Receive instructor feedback on	Questions All videos	Questions All videos	✖

Find more details, refund policies and answers to common questions in the Help center.

AG123: Can You Handle It? Beginner Sequences

Course Details

Teaching Approach:

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