Agility Training
Registration is now OPEN for our beginner agility class.
Class Overview
Agility training has numerous benefits for you and your dog! Firstly, it provides great exercise: as your dog runs through an obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and A-frames, they are harnessing their drive and burning off energy. Agility courses also exercise your dog's mind, giving your dog the opportunity to learn and solve problems, and stimulates your dog's natural instincts to chase and navigate obstacles. This training also bonds you with your dog, opening communication between handler and dog in a fun and engaging way.
A big thank you to PEKA Professional Property Management for sponsoring our agility equipment and for allowing us to offer this exciting opportunity to our community!
Levels of Agility Training
Beginner Agility: This training class will introduce you and your dog to agility training and basic obstacles. This is a fun, beginner class where you will focus on building a stronger connection with your dog and learn the basics of agility. This is not an obedience class. Dogs must be dog friendly. Class will start with a short off-leash play for dogs to meet and greet. All dogs will be on leash while awaiting their turn on the equipment during the formal class.
Intermediate Agility: This is a training class for dogs that have already mastered the basics of agility (whether in our Beginner Agility class or elsewhere) and are looking for a greater challenge and to expand their skills with more difficult obstacles and courses. This is not an obedience class. Dogs must be dog friendly. Class will start with a short off-leash play for dogs to meet and greet. Dogs should be able to work off leash for this class.
What You'll Need:
- A dog that loves people and other dogs
- High value treats that your dog finds irresistible and will keep their focus!
- Flat buckle quick release collar or harness, and a 6-foot flat leash
- And a positive outlook because we’re all about making training fun for everyone!
Registration & Enrollment
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that your registration will not be considered complete until payment has been received and vaccination records have been submitted. 100% of the net proceeds from your registration fee goes to the BVSPCA, so not only are you helping your dog by attending, but you are helping our dogs too!
Class Details - Beginner Agility
Price: $150
Duration: 4 week session
Session length: 60 minutes
Class size: Maximum of 6 participants with one handler per dog
Location: Outdoors at The Carla Cumming Sojonky Adoption Centre
Pre-requisites: No previous training required
Current Booking: Beginning September 11, 2024, classes taught by Lisa Young will run for 4 weeks on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 - 7:30pm. Last class will be on Wednesday October 2. Click HERE to register.
Class Details - Intermediate Agility
Price: TBD
Duration: 6 week session
Session length: 60 minutes
Class size: Maximum of 6 participants with one handler per dog
Location: Outdoors at The Carla Cumming Sojonky Adoption Centre
Pre-requisites: A beginner agility class (with us or elsewhere)
Current Booking: No classes are schedule at this time. Please email events@bowvalleyspca.org to be added to the waitlist for the next session!
Class Requirements
Your dog must be up-to-date on all vaccinations (Rabies, Bordetella and DAPP), and also must be spayed/neutered. Proof of up-to-date (not overdue) vaccination and sterilization must be provided within 48 hours of registration for the class by email to events@bowvalleyspca.org. Please contact us prior to registering if your dog is not spayed/neutered.
Dog Age: 8 months and older
About Your Trainers
Lisa Young
Lisa has lived in the Bow Valley since 1996. She has been a teacher with Canadian Rockies Public Schools since 1998. Lisa started doing recreational agility with her first dog Sunga in the early 2000’s. Her current two dogs enjoy participating in agility as well! She is looking forward to sharing the fun and rewarding experience of doing agility with more dogs and their owners.
Lenka Petnyova
We're excited to have Lenka as a second agility trainer! Lenka started agility in 2007 with her golden retriever Taxi, and since then she has competed with five different dogs. She represented Slovakia in the European Junior Championship in 2010 and 2011 with her dog Smiley, and she is Slovak national agility judge. She took a break from agility after moving to the Bow Valley in 2017. Currently, she shares her home with three dogs and is preparing her young dog, Shishka, for her agility career. She graduated from Karen Pryor Academy and is starting her own private dog training company called Affirmuttive Training and Behaviour.
