USEFUL INFORMATION
Agility Director Email Address: agility@lccoc.org
Agility Class Registration Form
Agility Field Use Policy
The LCCOC practices agility under the name Red Stick Agility.
Intro to Agility Classes are held on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings. Contact the agility director at agility@lccoc.org for information of class times and the start of new classes.
Agility classes are held in a fenced area behind Don's Seafood on Airline Hwy. Visitors are welcome to observe a class in session before enrolling.
All agility classes are 6 weeks and the cost is $100 for all those who are not members of LCCOC.
No refunds will be given for missed classes, but classes postponed due to inclement weather will be rescheduled.
Smoking is prohibited in the enclosed field area.
All dogs must be current on vaccinations to enroll in agility classes.
Any puppy enrolling in agility class should be at least 6 months of age.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
AGILITY CLASSES
Intro to Agility
Familiarizes the dog and handler with the obstacles. NOTICE: All intro dogs must demonstrate proficiency in basic obedience (sit, down, stay, come, and behaving calmly on leash) before entering this class. Dogs will be evaluated during the first class. Class size is typically 3-5 persons. If larger, classes may include an assistant instructor.
Beginners' Agility
Dogs and handlers work, on and off leash, with the obstacles in short sequences, ensuring the dog is comfortable taking the contact obstacles with improving speed, reliability, and enthusiasm, up to full height, and working through the weave poles, from a variety of angles. Handlers are taught basic handling cues for communicating reliably with their dog.
Intermediate Beginners
Dogs and handlers work, on and off leash, improving the communications skills between dog and handler, practicing handling fundamentals (how to maneuver the dog around the course).
Advanced Beginners' Agility
Handlers work with their dogs off leash, taking multiple obstacles in sequence. Dogs should be doing 6 weave poles and full-height contact equipment. Improves communications between dog and handler, and prepares teams for novice class competition.
Intro to Competition
Promotion into this class is at the instructor's discretion. Handlers study and practice, off leash, learning to guide their dogs thru multiple obstacles in longer and more difficult sequences, and more advanced handling techniques. Dogs must be performing all contact obstacles at full height and be proficient in 12 weave poles.
Competitive Handling
Promotion into this class is at the instructor's discretion. Handlers study and practice, off leash, guiding their dogs thru full courses with longer and more difficult sequences in preparation for competitive events. Teams must be performing at the competition level.
FAQ's
In Agility competition, what is a leg?
A leg is one qualifying score (Q) under an official judge at an official AKC Agility Trial. It takes 3 legs to earn a title, scored by at least 2 different judges. It takes 10 Q's to earn a Masters title.
What titles can I earn in Agility?
Novice Standard (NA)
Open Standard (OA)
Excellent Standard (AX)
Masters Standard (MX)
Novice Jumpers with Weaves (NAJ)
Open Jumpers with Weaves (OAJ)
Excellent Jumpers with Weaves (AXJ)
Masters Jumpers with Weaves (MXJ)
Master Agility Champion (MACH)
There are also Preferred titles, and very recently, titles for mixed breed dogs. When your dog earns a title, you can put these letters after their name. Refer to the AKC Agility Regulations for a more complete description.
Where are agility trials held?
LCCOC holds four AKC agility trials each year, usually in the fall and in the spring, in or near the Baton Rouge area. Other regional clubs also hold AKC or USDAA sanctioned trials at various times and places throughout the year, including Kiln, MS, Hattiesburg, MS, Gulfport, MS, Pensacola, FL, Monroe, LA, Crosby, TX, Houston, TX, and other venues. We post links to the trial entry forms on our "PREMIUMS" page as we get them in.
Where are LCCOC's agility classes held?
Agility classes are held in a large fenced and lighted field behind the former Don’s Seafood Restaurant location on Airline Highway. The entire field is a No Smoking zone. Persons wishing to smoke must leave the area.
As a dues-paying member of LCCOC, why do I have to pay for Agility Classes but not Obedience Classes?
While the owners of the property have graciously allowed us to use their field, we still have to pay for the lighting and maintenance of the area (grass cutting, flea treatment, etc.) Additionally, agility requires a lot more equipment than Obedience, and that equipment is costly. Also, since our equipment is set up mostly outdoors and used year-round, it requires additional maintenance. Agility costs are supported entirely by the agility class fees we charge.
Can any dog take agility classes?
Your dog should be in good health and know basic obedience before starting agility classes (sit, stay, down, come, and at a minimum must be leash trained). Also, your dog should be sufficiently comfortable around other dogs and people as to be easily manageable (one reason to start training your puppy early). Please check with the Agility Director before signing up for your first class.
Why do advanced dog trainers, with lots of experience, sometimes show up in Beginners level classes?
Some of our members acquire several dogs over the years and with each one they train, they start them at the beginners level.
Do I have to join LCCOC to take the club's agility classes?
Not at all. However, only members are eligible to enroll in LCCOC's advanced level classes and are eligible for discounts.
At the advanced levels of Agility, if I can’t attend the full 6-week training session, may I attend on a per session basis, and pay only for the classes I attend. What is the fee?
It may be possible to make arrangements with an instructor if there is space available and pay a prorated fee. This applies only to Active Members, training at the advanced levels, with bona fide reasons for not being able to commit to a full 6-week session (such as planned vacation or surgery, work-related absence, etc.).
Are LCCOC members allowed to access the agility field when classes are not in session? What are the terms?
No, except by enrollment in our "Field Use Program" and payment of "field fees" (see below). LCCOC instructors are allowed to invite their students out to help maintain the field, set up courses, and for special demonstrations with our Agility Director's permission.
What is the "Field Use Program"?
This program is designed to allow LCCOC members to utilize our field and equipment for training at their convenience, outside of scheduled classes. Field fees are $50/year for members enrolled in an agility calss. Fees are $100/year for those members not enrolled in a class during the year. Members are not allowed to use LCCOC's field to teach private fee-based lessons.
Can non-club members practice on the agility field?
Non-club members, such as out of town trainers, who wish to practice on our field may do so for a $10 fee, but only if accompanied by a club member who is enrolled in our Field Use Program. Contact our Agility Director using the email address under "USEFUL INFORMATION" at the top of this page.
