Got an agility problem? Don't waste your time complaining. Do something about it. Need more practice on the contacts or weaves? Want to try out new ideas? Now you can help yourself. Book a workshop or a private lesson. Join an additional club or training group in your area. There are plenty of instructors and clubs around who can help you with your problems.

Got training news? Then email a paragraph or two about your event to Agilitynet. You can also publicise your training day, workshop or seminar by putting its details on the E-vents page. Just complete the on-line entry form on the page.

Training with Toni

From 28 May and then every other Wednesday. Toni Dawkins will be teaching at Plum Pudding Equestrian Centre - that's where the WAG shows are held - just for the summer. There are places for a two hour session from 19.30. The training will focus specifically on contacts/sequences from contacts and jumping/handling on alternate weeks. The first session on 28 May (Supa Dog Week) is all about contacts and how to handle sequences from contacts whatever your method.

Cost: £16.00. Grade 5 and above only please.

The Plum Pudding Equestrian Centre is located on Dane Road, Minnis Bay, Kent.

Email hazelhicks@talktalk.net  or ring Toni on tel. 01304 361026 for more details

Bouncing Barn Available This Autumn

Coming this September 2008, you can hire a dog training barn with seamless rubber flooring and an outside paddock, near Chichester, W Sussex. The indoor barn measures approx 90ft x 26ft (27m x 8m) while the outside fenced paddock measures 66ft x 130ft (40m x 20m). Agility equipment and flyball equipment is included in the hire of the facilities.

If you would like to hear more, then please contact Cherry Gillbard on tel. 01243 545982 or email pj.gillbard@btinternet.com

WAGAM Training Places

W.A.G.A.M. Dog Training Club has a couple of spaces left at their Wednesday night training sessions near Cirencester, Gloucestershire. All sizes and abilities of dog and handler are welcome. Training is indoors and classes will never be bigger than six dogs.

For further information please email pennymiles@onetel.com or call tel. 01793 752149

4 Paw DAC Moves to New Training Venue

4 Paws Dog Agility Club are pleased to announce the opening of their new training venue at The Field, A1198 Kneesworth, 1 mile north of Royston Hertfordshire.  There they have a five acre secure field.  All standards of agility are covered from fun classes to competition standard.  All types of dogs and owners are catered for and would be welcome to join us.

The Club will be holding an introductory session for new Beginners on Saturday morning, 10th May. The catchment area for the club is South Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire district.

Contact Chrissy Walker for further details. Email: chrissy4paws@tesco.net or ring  tel. 01763 244437  or mobile: 07811 878231.

Paws 2 Touch Agility Spaces

Places are available at Paws 2 Touch for complete beginners through to competing dogs and all heights catered for.

Paws to Touch is an agility club run by Sharon Eldridge, based nr Battle, East Sussex. This is an outside venue with excellent dog walking facilities including a lake for the dogs to swim in during the summer months. Premier equipment is used. New classes are due to start on Tuesday, 13 May.

For further details email Sharon - merliedogs@btinternet.com or call her on mobile: 07947 651980. (01/05/08)

White Rose Openings

Otley Training Spaces

Otley DTS have spaces available on their Tuesday night training session (8:30 – 9.45pm) The session is for experienced/competing handlers with dogs Grade 3+ or good Grade 2s.  All heights are welcome. Training takes place in a well lit indoor venue at  East Keswick, between Harewood and Wetherby.

All enquiries to Pam Costello at email Pamela.Costello@tiscali.co.uk or mobile: 078410 46871.

Mid-somer Training Weeks & Weekends

Alan and Nicki Clements  currently have a limited number of places available on their Midsomer Training  Weekend on 26 & 27 April. Their training week from starting from Monday. 26 - 30 May is fully booked.

Training sessions as well as camping will be held in their two acre paddock, near Oswestry in North Shropshire. Numbers will be limited and all abilities will be catered for.  Small groups will be organised to ensure everyone gets a high level of individual attention. Typically, several groups will be organised to include puppies, Grades 1 & 2, Grades 3 & 4, Grades 5 - 7, but will be flexible depending upon those attending.

There will also be social activities organised each evening.

For further details please see our website www.midsomeragility.co.uk or email Alan & Nicki Clements on midsomeragility@aol.com

Training Places at Nottingham

Nottingham Agility DTC have spaces available on their Monday night training session (8:30 - 10:00pm) The session is for experienced/competing handlers with dogs Grade 4+ or good Grade3s. Each month consists of two weeks club instructor, 1 week external instructor and week Dog of Month/Year competition night, followed by train yourself.

All heights are welcome. There is a Small, Medium and Large on the class. Training takes place in an excellent, well lit indoor venue at Selston, near Mansfield, within easy reach of M1.

If interested email andrewgarratt@gmail.com  (07/04/08)

4-day Agility Training Course in East Sussex with Dianne Talbot

There are still a few places left on this event.  The course is run over four consecutive days from Monday, 19 Monday to Thursday, 22 May inclusive. All levels are catered for from Starters to Advanced. The venue is a glorious flat camping site with acres of dog walks for your free time. Cost:- £160 per dog/handler including five nights camping/caravan, if required. Lots of fun and lots of valuable training tips, too.

Email Claire Alderson at caagility-dtweek@yahoo.co.uk or call on mobile: 07778 012949 for more details. (07/04/08)

New Agility Club Starts up in Staffs.

With over 35 years of experience between them, Jackie Gardner and Christine Wingate-Wynne, who are both successful Championship agility competitors, have joined forces to form SmartPaws Dog Training Club.

The Club, which will train basic obedience and agility at an indoor venue at Newton Regis, near Tamworth, promotes high standards of responsible dog training using only positive reward based methods.

Well behaved dogs of all breeds and types are welcome at the Club. Beginners will be asked to complete a 6-week Basic Obedience course. They would then progress onto a Foundation Agility course. By arrangement, owners of dogs with basic obedience may be tested for immediate start on the Foundation Agility course.  Enquiries from owners with agility experience are also welcome.

Anyone interested in booking onto a course or obtaining further details, should ring Jackie Gardner on mobile: 07986 338677 or by email at Smartpawsdtc@googlemail.com Owners are welcome to come and meet the instructors and view the training by arrangement.  (07/04/08)

Say Yes to Susan Garrett

Canadian Susan Garrett, one of the most successful dog agility competitors of the last decade, is coming back to the UK to conduct seminars week 21 - 25 July 2008.

2 day Advances in Dog Training (21^-22 July)
The seminar is an opportunity for anyone interested in any aspect of dog training to hear it from one of the world's best. Day one of this exciting program will review fundamental principles of dog training and work on improving your mechanics as a trainer. Susan will show you how to apply learning theory into your everyday dog training. Understanding why your dog does what he does will help you work through training challenges facing you in any area of competitive dog training. Learn how to teach your dogs both control for stationary positions (like contacts and sit stays) and incredible motivation so you will have a dog that wants to work at any skill you want to work on. Day One of the workshop is mostly lecture, demo and some work with your dog. Included will be games such as; It's Yer Choice Game and Susan's very popular Crate Games. These 2 games form the foundation of Susan's Say Yes Dog Training program which has helped many dogs become National or World Champions.

Working Spot £125.  Observing £30 a day UKA member; £40 non-member

1 day Advanced shaping (23 July)
This advanced level shaping workshop is aimed at the more experienced teams that have been routinely shaping behaviours in their training. The challenges of this workshop are aimed at improving your understanding at creating dynamic behaviours with your dog. Susan will show you how altering response costs, placement of reinforcement or manipulating your environment can affect your dog's ability to learn. Efficiency in dog training will allow you to achieve more in less time. By sharpening your own skills your dog will show you brilliance that you never dreamt possible. Working spots open only to those that have taken Advances in Dog Training.

Working Spot £65.  Observing £30 a day UKA member; £40 non-member

Weave Day (24 July)
During the morning session Susan will explain how her 2x2 weave training method works including all of the recent advancements. Participants will work in stations alternating between key body awareness exercises for their dogs and 2 pole weave shaping. The afternoon session is aimed at dogs with experience weaving. Susan will put dog and handlers through a series of weave pole challenges aimed at evaluating the dog's understanding of independent weave performances. A series of systematic drills will be used to help improve performance.

Working Spot £65 for both sessions or £35 for 1 session.  Observing £30 a day UKA member; £40 non-member

One Jump Workshop (25 July)
This session has been a popular one wherever Susan has presented it all over the world! Based on Susan's popular DVD, this workshop will show you how to make use of only ONE jump to teach your dog agility handling fundamentals including: Serpentines, threadles, front cross, rear cross, tight turns, start line excellence, distance work and more. Exercises will include some of the key drills from the DVD and new ones aimed at improving your dog's overall understanding of handling. Everyone has the ability to tote around one jump; after this session you can use that one jump to create an unbelievable understanding of handling skills for your dog.

Working Spot £65.  Observing £30 a day UKA member; £40 non-member

To book your place will be on a first come first served basis. Working spots only available to UK Agility members. Email Greg@ukagility.com

Mike Bacon to Go Full Time

Mike Bacon has taken early retirement from his 'proper job' as a Senior Project Manager for Fujitsu Services to become a full time dog training instructor with Diamond Dog Training. He will be starting a new summer training program from 31 March. 

The main training venue is Orchard Farm near Clevedon a couple of miles from Junction 20 M5. Agility training is available during daylight hours and is done in a fenced off sand arena. A grass paddock will be available soon and there is a small barn available for shelter in very bad weather. Agility classes are provided for all levels and are done in small groups of 4-6 people. Club training and 1-2-1 coaching are also available by arrangement.

Mike has been an agility instructor for 25 years. He is an Agility Club Approved Instructor and a member of the Kennel Club Accredited Instructors Scheme. With his BSD Jack of Diamonds, he was 6th in the BSD World Championships in 2004 and was a member of the winning team in 2005. He is currently managing the GB BSD Agility team.

More details can be found at www.diamond-dog-training.co. Ring Mike on tel 01934 833525 or mobile: 07889 447593. Email mike_of_diamonds

Basin Bridge Agility Open Evening

Basin Bridge Agility, located in the quiet Leicestershire countryside, close to Hinckley, is holding an Open Evening including a free training session for Beginners and Grades 1-4 on Tuesday, 1 April and for Grades 5-7 on Thursday, 3 April. There are also Open Evenings of free training on 8 & 10 April. Handlers are invited to come along, meet the club trainers and sign up for use of the field or any of the classes.

The site is the ideal agility training venue with full of competition standard agility equipment set out weekly into different courses, plenty of car parking and toilet facilities

Experienced handlers and dogs have the opportunity to train themselves, using the equipment.  For a small monthly fee the field is available for use every day (daytime and evenings) except during training classes.

Alternatively there are openings in the classes, grouped by level from beginners and grades with no more than eight in a class.  All the trainers are competing at Senior (Grade 6) or Advanced (Grade 7) levels.

For more intensive training or to work on a problem book a private lesson.

The site is the ideal agility training venue with full of competition standard agility equipment set out weekly into different courses, plenty of car parking and toilet facilities

For more information or to book your place call Phil on mobile: 07884 314675

Sports Psychology Seminar for Dog Agility Handlers

Mark Laker first became interested in sports psychology when he learnt that it could help improve his approach, mental attitude and preparations to the sport, therefore improving his agility performance. He had a brilliant young dog with loads of potential but, before using these new skills, seemed to be faced with endless frustrations. Everyone can understand the ups and downs of running a dog, highs when winning but so many eliminations and lows. Partly there was the handling but that's another course and another well known instructor!

Mark developed his interest in sports psychology, researching many books, articles and websites. He also talked to professional sports people who have benefited from these skills in their own field. He soon developed his understanding of how it could be applied to Dog Agility. Then he went on to try it out on his partner Karen and their friends using them as guinea pigs! The result, a solid belief, and proof, that applying sports psychology to dog agility can make a difference.

Driven on by comments from others like:-

• I go to pieces when people watch me.

• I know I let my dog down.

• I get so nervous just thinking about going in the ring.

Mark has developed a one day Sports Psychology for Dog Agility Handlers course to help other people use skills such as: self-talk, centering, coping, and goal setting to develop their confidence and further improve their enjoyment of agility. The workshop includes delegates working in small groups on class room based exercises followed by short courses with their dogs that allowed them to practise the techniques in a real situation.

This course does not promise to turn everyone into a world medal winner but everyone who has attended has already felt the benefit. They are easy to spot – they're the ones at the shows still smiling, as they know what they are working towards and achieving it.

Mark will be running more of these courses in the future. If you are interested in finding out more about how sports psychology can help improve your performance on the agility course,  email Mark Laker at upandover.agility@virgin.net.

Agility Training Weekends at Top Barn

Top Barn Farm is keen to set up agility training weekends from October to March. The owners, the Nicky and Richard Harper, are able to provide pitches with electric hookups, toilet/shower/elsan point, respected and experienced trainers and equipment (or you can bring your own).  They can also arrange lunch and a meeting room in evening if required, or there are plenty of local pubs near by.

Top Barn Farm is a diverse working farm.  Owned by the Harper family, they farm horticultural and arable crops, Christmas Trees, beef, sheep and pigs much of which is sold through the on-site Harvest Shop which has its own butchery. During the summer months they have PYO strawberries and raspberries and various family activities such as trailer tours and maize maze. They like to open up the farm to the public and use some of the land for leisure and sports – such as dog shows, fishing , caravan rallies and they even have our own watersports lake!

Top Barn Farm is also a premier venue for dog agility shows. Based near Worcester, they have hosted weekend shows for Golden Valley, Worcester, Bromsgrove and APDT agility clubs.

During the summer months they set up a large marquee which is used for the judges and lunches. In general 8-9 rings can be comfortably set up next to the marquee.  They also have separate fields - all adjacent to the ‘show field' - which can accommodate parking and camping.  They can accommodate up to 250 pitches for our larger shows. They do have a couple of weekends available for large club shows between March/April and September/October.

' Nicky Harper said, 'We enjoy hosting the agility shows and even the odd breed show such as for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  We find that the ‘agility community' always look after our premises well and it is great to see the dogs rushing around!

If you would like further details please contact Nicky Harper on mobile: 07739746660 or by email richharper22@hotmail.com.  Further information on the farm can be found at www.topbarn.co.uk

Places at Patanden Agility

Patanden Agility has a few spaces available for beginners on a Tuesday evening. They train at a lovely indoor equestrian centre in Coldwaltham, West Sussex. For more details please ring either Denise Smith or Pat Griffiths on tel. 01243 551773 or 01243 552188 or email Deniseanddave1966@hotmail.co.uk

Clyde Valley Summer Training Week

Even though Philip has moved to Leeds - for the better weather and family - he and Maureen will be coming to both shows this year Further details can be found on www.clydevalleydogs.talktalk.net or email clydevalley@talktalk.net or ring tel. 0113 267 6886.

Dawn's Running Contacts Workshop

Always wanted fast, reliable, running contacts? Well here is your chance! Now you can learn how to do running contacts in theory and in practice.

Dawn Weaver is running a workshop on 24 February 2008 for dogs that do not already have a well established contact criteria. She said, 'I am often asked at shows and on training days about how to do running contacts. However, there is not the time or facilities to show people effectively at these times so I have decided to run a couple of small workshops for people who are really interested in learning how to teach this behaviour to their dogs. This will be at my own venue near Blandford (Dorset) where I have lots of space and the facilities to train on this subject.'

Spectators welcome £15. Maximum 6 in a group. Participants £25. Approx 2 hour session.

For more information or to book a space, email Dawn Weaver at dawnweaver@dreamer2612.wanadoo.co.uk or ring mobile: 07713 340433

Film Classes for Dogs

If you would like your dog to be on the big (or small) screen i.e. film or television, then come along to Daly's Dogs  where you will learn how to teach your dogs the tricks needed for film and TV work. Any age or breed or dog including crossbreed is welcome! Only kind, reward based and fun training methods will be used.

The six week course includes an informal test at the end and a chance to register your dog for possible local film work. Please note, this course DOES NOT guarantee you or your dog work but it does put you in a good position should a suitable opportunity arise.

 The course will be help at Whaddon Village Hall, nr Royston (Herts) on Thursday nights at 8.00pm. The cost will be£40, payable on the first night.

Visit www.dalysdogs.co.uk for more details. To book email info@dalysdogs.co.uk or call Sally Rowe on mobile: 07905 094308 (02/01/08)

Space Available on Dawn Weaver Training Day

Due to a last minute cancellation, there is one place left on the afternoon session for an experienced handler on the Dawn Weaver training day scheduled for Sunday, 6 January 2008.

The course will be held at the Cannington Equestrian Centre, Cannington, near Bridgwater, just off the A39 Bridgwater-Williton road (Junction 23/24 M5).

Ring Jane Tatam on tel. 01823 400002 or email amolibros@aol.com to book your place or for more information. (02/01/08)

 Positive Agility Classes Start Next Month

Positive Animal Solutions will be starting agility classes in Hull, East Yorkshire on Friday, 15 February 2008. The groups has a brand new set of KC equipment and will be training in a secure indoor arena with great facilities.

Please contact Lynda on tel. 01652 661951 or email lynda@positiveanimalsolutions.co.uk for more information. (02/01/08)

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