There's always more to learn
 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.
Top Barn Agility Training Weekends
 Top
Barn Farm, a well known venue for dog agility shows,, is keen to set up agility training
weekends from November to March. The venue already host weekend shows for Golden Valley,
Worcester, Bromsgrove and APDT agility clubs.
Nicky Harper said, 'We enjoy hosting the
agility shows and even the odd breed show for example 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! '
Set in 500 acres of unrivalled, beautiful
Worcestershire countryside, adjacent to the River Severn, Top Barn Farm is the ideal setting
for agility events. There are good facilities including pitches with electric hookups,
toilet/shower/elsan point for trainers as well as equipment though people can bring their own.
The site owners can arrange lunch and a meeting room in evening if required, or there are
plenty of local pubs near by.
There are also have separate fields - all
adjacent to the ‘show field’- which can accommodate parking and camping. The site itself can
accommodate up to 250 pitches for larger shows. During the summer months, a large marquee can
be used for the judges and lunches. In general 8 to 9 rings can be comfortably set up
next to the marquee. There are a couple of weekends available for large club shows between
March/April and September/October.
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
Scottish Juniors Training Day
Announced
The first Scottish Junior Dog Club event of
the year will be an Agility Training day with Laura Innes and Carol-Anne Duthie in February
2008. This event is open to all Scottish Junior Dog Club Members and those wishing to join.
If you would like to become a member then
please download a Membership Form
and return it to Carol-Anne Duthie or Kenny Spottiswoode.
For more information about the Scottish
Juniors Club, go to http://www.sjdc.co.uk
1-2-1 with Nic Jones
Nic Jones is going to be starting weekly
1-2-1 training sessions on either a Tuesday morning or Friday afternoon. The venue is outdoors
so it will be weather dependent, but the field is very well drained and maintained. It’s just
five minutes from Junction 24a of the M1 so very easy access. If you (or if anyone you know
is interested contact her on
nicola@njones477.orangehome.co.uk.
(07/11/07)
Newlands Openings
 Newlands
WDS has a small number of spaces for handlers with dogs Grades 3-7 (Small, Medium or
Large). They train on a Monday night from 8.00pm at Merrist Wood, near Guildford, Surrey.
For more details, email Amanda Rodgers on
mandy.arf@virgin.net or
ring tel. 01483 274116
Places Available on Nancy Hudson
Training Day
There are a few places left on the Nancy
Hudson training day at East Peckham, Kent (near the Hop Farm. on 29 September. The day will be
divided into two sessions from 9.30am - 1.00pm for Grades 4-5 and 1.30 - 5.00pm for Grades 6-7
with a maximum eight dogs per session.
There will be a short break half way through
the sessions for tea/coffee and biscuits. Cost: £25 per person.
Email lesleyhildrew@f2s.com or ring tel.
01622 870259 or mobile: 07989 321135 for mor einformation or to book yuor space
BAA Ring Training
 Due
to popular demand there will be two separate BAA Judges, Ring Managers & Show Organisers
Training Days - one on Saturday, 13 October and the other on Sunday, 14 October.
As many dogs as possible are needed to run during both afternoon
practical sessions. Anyone interested in the chance to run your dogs for free under competition
conditions, please email June Bass at June @ emdac.co.uk (remove spaces) asap to book a place.
Naughty dogs that take their own line are most welcome.
Nic Jones Training
Nic Jones Training Days Winter
2007-2008 are filling up quickly. Most have a one or two spaces
left. If you are interested, email for
details or see events page for dates and times.
Spaces at Southdowns
Southdowns Agility Club have 2/3 spaces for Competition Level,
Small or Medium agilty dogs to join us training on a Monday evening. We are based in Wickham,
Hants and meet once a week. In the group currently there are small and medium dogs ranging from
Grades 1 to 6.
For further details, and contacts check out our website -
www.southdownsagility.org.uk
Vacancies at The Vyne
 Vyne
Agility Club have a very limited numbers of spaces at their club. They train on a Friday
evening from 7.30 to 9.30 in Eversley on the North Hants/Berks border. They are looking, in
particular, for handlers and dogs who regularly compete at Grades 1, 2 or 3 but new dogs always
welcome - any level.
Vyne is a very friendly club which runs a championship
show, helps at lots of other shows and competes locally in a Winter League with four other
clubs. They also train and compete at flyball,
For more information, please contact Lesley Slade on
mobile: 07885 899073 or email lesley_slade@hotmail.com for a chat.
Ann-Marie Froggatt Sets up Classes
in W. Midlands
 Ann-Marie
Froggatt is now offering bespoke agility training weekends and evenings to handlers at all
levels including one-to-ones, pairs and small groups. The cost will depend upon how many in the
class. She is based in the West Midlands, just five minutes from Junction 9 on the M42.
She said, I hope to let people have fun and relax with
their ogs and help them achieve their potential and sort out their training issues. '
To find out more and arrange a visit, ring mobile:
07736 431980.
Field of Dreams Training
Due to increased demand, Bob Sharpe and Hannah Cook of
Field of Dreams Agility Training have added some additional training classes to their schedule.
As a result, they have vacancies for handlers at all levels.
Bob Sharpe said, 'Our emphasis is on personal attention
to your individual needs and groups are deliberately kept small to ensure these are met.
Typical class sizes are 6-8 handlers. Each session lasts two hours.'
Field of Dreams is situated in Cleatham, N. Lincs just
three miles from J4 of the M180, serving South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The group trains
outdoors in a fully enclosed area of approximately 1.5 acres on Monday - Thursday evenings
Contact
bobsharpe@btconnect.com or ring mobile: 07736 880858 for more information
Training Week with Alan Clements
 Some
places have unexpectedly become available on the above Training Week with Alan Clements on 28
May. There will be a maximum of 16 handlers split into groups of similar ability
In summary, the format will be as follows:-
- Arrivals on Sunday evening / Monday morning
- Introductory Training sessions for each group on
Monday afternoon
- Two top quality tailored training sessions per group
on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday - one AM, one PM
- Course work for everyone on Friday morning
- Social events organised each evening
- Departures on Friday afternoon / Saturday morning
All training and camping will be in our delightful
paddock, near Oswestry in North Shropshire.
For further details please or to be informed of future
training weeks and weekends please email midsomeragility@aol.com
Training Sessions in the Cotswolds
As from June 2007 Shaun Hunt is moving to Cheltenham and setting
up agility training sessions under The Cotswolds Agility Centre.
Also plans are underway to run Judges training and Training for
trainers seminars as part of The Derbyshire Agility Centre so watch this space!
If you want to improve your handling skills, confidence in the
ring or just have an extra training session either as part of a group session or on a
one-to-one basis, then please contact Shaun Hunt on mobile: 07886 437977 or email
shaunhunt123@hotmail.com
Nic Jones Starts Training Dog
Classes
 Cost
is just £40 for an 8 week block, payable in advance.
The emphasis will be on good, solid groundwork to produce
a confident dog that is happy to work independently taking commands from you giving you time to
be planning and handling for the next section. This groundwork will eliminate the usual
problems that arise in young, inexperienced dogs (pole popping, flying contacts) and allow dogs
and handlers to progress at an appropriate rate.
For more information, ring Nic Jones on mobile: 07709
306382
Talk on Canine First Aid
Many people have already reserved their places on this
talk by Peter Van Dongen, hosted by Redgates AC on 28 April, but there are still plenty of
places left. The purpose of this talk is if your dog becomes ill or injured, you will have some
idea of how to preserve your dog's life, prevent it suffering, and to stop its condition
deteriorating prior to you being able to get him / her to a vet.
Peter will tell you how you can use household items such
as Cling Film, Butter, a Cork Screw, a Clothes Peg, and a pair of tights to save your dogs
life. He will also tell some stories of his life as a vet including 'the dog that ate the
horse,' 'the rat that bit the snake, 'the sexy knickers,' 'Vlad the Ompaler" and many more.
Subjects covered in the talk will include:
-
 Handling
of Injured animals
- Poisoning
- Bleeding
- Burns & scalds
- Teeth, tongues & lips
- Swallowed foreign bodies
- Eye Injuries
- Ears
- Heat Stroke
- Hyperthermia
- Nails & dew claws
Handouts will be given on entry, but you may wish to
bring a pen / pencil and some paper to make additional notes.
There is still time to book your place in advance - or
just turn up on the day.
The talk will be held Sewards End
Village Hall, Sewards End, Essex, near to Saffron Waldden and about half way between Cambridge
and Stansted Airport.
It will start at 9.30am and will last
for about three hours. It will be illustrated with lots of photos and figures.There will be a
Doggy Quiz during the interval. There will be a small charge of £1 per entry, with proceeds
going towards Peter’s charities – Dogs Trust and his Namibia Trek. There will also be time for
questions and answers at the end.
Tea and coffee etc. will be available from 9.00am onwards, and during the
interval, with all takings being donated to Wiccaweys Rescue Centre.
For further details
contact Tim & Clare Griffiths, 11 The Dreys, Sewards End, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 2LL. Tel:
01799 527697 Website: www.RedgatesAgility.co.uk
Email: HappyDogs@RedgatesAgility.co.uk
Paws at Play
Following on from her field for hire query on the
Desperately seeking... page of Agilitynet, Lorain Bryan has written to say that her training
venue will be up and running for June 200 for both Agility and Obedience training. Her field in
Berkswell is near to Solihull (6 miles) and Coventry (6 miles).
Agility equipment will be available for hire by both
trainers wishing to start their own club and/or individuals who want to do extra training on a
ad-hock basis. Parking and refreshments will be available on site.
Lorain is hoping to get planning consent for an indoor,
winter facilities.
All days and evenings are available at present. To book
your slot, ring mobile: 07968 950040
Nic Jones Training Day Update
The
Nic Jones Training Day on 25 March is almost full. The morning session (grades 5-7) is fully
booked while the afternoon session (grades 1-4 & 14-18mth old pups) has only two spaces left.
This session focuses on key sequences to be training young/ inexperienced dogs including how to
break the sequence down to a manageable level. Some basic course walking principles and for
experienced handlers with young dogs highlighting bad habits from old dogs! £10 deposit secures
the place.
The venue is just 4 miles form jct24 of the M1 at Barton
in Fabis Equestrian Centre. All facilities are on site. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Equipment is full spec. Adams Agility. (16/02/07)
Train in the Ring with Devon Dogs
 Devon
Dogs will be hosting a number of training in the ring events this year. They are aiming
to hold one event each month right through the competition season so that agility folk can
continue to reward their dogs in the ring in order to maintain their contacts, start lines and
confidence!
Trainer Lauren Langman said, 'We feel that this will allow
experienced competitors the opportunity to run not for competition (NFC) to improve contacts,
weave entries/performance and start-lines and also allow less experienced handlers to have an
opportunity to achieve a positive ring experience.'
The day will consist of four runs where participants may take
their toys/treats/clickers into the ring in a competition environment. They will be judged and
allowed to run either for competition or for training depending on what they are trying to
achieve with their own dog. Puppies are also welcome by request.
The event will be held in a venue which has both indoor and
outdoor facilities and therefore can be adaptable to the weather! There will be tea, coffee and
cakes available, on-site toilets and fields for exercising dogs. Venue is just a few minutes
from J28/29 M5. The day will cost £12 per dog. People running more than one dog are very
welcome as it will recreate the show atmosphere for your dog.
Dates scheduled so far include:-
- 4 March - full
- 15 April - space available
- 20 May - space available
For more information. please email
lauren154@hotmail.co.uk or call Lauren on
mobile: 07734130512. (15/02/07)
LGT Training Days Places
The Lee Gibson Training days on the 17 February and 24 March are
both full, whilst there are only two places remaining on the 3 March.
For more information, contact Lee Gibson via
www.leegibsontraining.co.uk
(15/02/07)
Spaces Available on Dawn Weaver
Training Days
 A
few spaces are still available on Dawn Weaver’s training day on Sunday. 25 February at
Cannington Equestrian Centre, Near Bridgwater, Somerset. Time permitting, sessions will cover
the following:-
Morning session for
Starter/Novice handlers
- Weave entries
- Tunnel entry
discrimination
- Distance work
-
Contacts
- Which cross
where. e.g. rear, front, blind
- Snakes and
pull-throughs
-
Question and answer session
Afternoon sessions
for more experienced handlers:
- Off-set starts
- Distance Work
- Layering
- Obstacle
discrimination
- Proofing weaves
- Stride collection
and extension (Teaching dogs to bounce jumps)
- Cornering
- Contacts
And for both
sessions — loads of homework!
For
more information ,ring Jane Tatam, Loundshay Manor Cottage, Preston Bowyer, Milverton, Somerset
TA4 1QF on tel. 01823- 400002 or email: amolibros@aol.com
Tony Ryman has also reported that
there are several spaces left on the Dawn Weaver Training Day on Sunday, 25 March at
Epping Green Equestrian Centre, Sunset Stables, Epping Green, Epping, Essex.
To book your place, ring Tony Ryman
on tel: 01354 688128 or email: tony.ryman1@homecall.co.uk
Canine Sport Science Seminar
Reminder
A scientific approach to the Canine Athlete
 The
Kennel Club would like to remind all dog owners of a fantastic opportunity to explore best
practice when training dogs for active sports and for warming them up before competition. There
are still some tickets available for the inaugural Canine Sports Science Seminar, ‘A Scientific
Approach to the Canine Athlete’ to be held on Saturday, 17 February at the Woodland Grange
Conference Centre, Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
The
seminar will include presentations and information on the following subjects:-
- How
to keep your dog fit throughout his life
-
Kennel Club Health Schemes
-
Nutraceuticals
-
Biomechanics
-
Nutrition for the canine athlete
-
Warming up exercises
-
Canine massage
- Open
forum / Question and Answer session
Tickets
cost £60.00, which includes VAT, all refreshments and a three course lunch, a delegate’s pack
and presentation handouts. Any profits made at the seminar will also be donated to the
Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which
works to help make a difference for dogs by funding a wide variety of work ranging from
supporting research into canine diseases to welfare initiatives and the promotion of dogs, all
of which help to provide dogs with healthier and happier lives.
An
application form for the seminar can be downloaded from the Kennel Club website
www.thekennelclub.org.uk with the closing date for entries being the 19 January 2007 there
is still time to book your place but tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis.
For further information, please contact Zoe Elkin on
zelkin@the-kennel-club.org.uk
or Tel: 020 7518 1013.
Westergate Dogs Training Ceases
Dusty
Benson has now moved and is no longer holding agility classes at Westergate DT.
New Dawn Training Day
 A
few spaces are still available on Dawn Weaver’s training day on Sunday, 7 January 2007. Time
permitting, sessions will cover the following:-
Morning session for Starter/Novice handlers
-
Weave entries
-
Tunnel entry discrimination
-
Distance work
-
Contacts
-
Which cross where. e.g. rear, front, blind
-
Snakes and pull-throughs
-
question and answer session
Afternoon
sessions for more experienced handlers
And for both sessions — loads of homework!
See
E-vents
For
more information, ring Jane Tatam on tel. 01823 400002 or email
AMOLIBROS@aol.com
 Train
with Nic Jones on Next February
There are a few spaces
left on the Senior/Intermediate & Starter/Novice session but it is filling up. Focus will be on
independent working, shaping and refinement of obstacles / sections. Specific problems will be
addressed where necessary and time permitting.
For more information, see
E-vents or email for Nic Jones at
n.jones700@ntlworld.com
Training Places Available at
Crazymaesy Training Day in Kent
 Louise
Challis has informed Agilitynet that there are only five spaces for Senior dogs left on the
Craseymaesy Training Day with Jo Frasier & Maria Stein on the 11 February 2007. The cost is
£25.00 per dog with a ten dog maximum per group. The course will take place indoors at The
Arrow Riding Centre, Darenth Park Avenue, Dartford, Kent DA2 6LZ.
For more information ring Louise on mobile:
07802 849945 or email: louiselouandi@yahoo.co.uk
.
Training Places Available at
Angela Agility Academy
Angela Lucas has some spaces in her classes
at Angela's Agility Academy (Eastbourne) over the winter for people who may be looking at
getting extra practice to improve or re-train points of their agility. Long term or short
term arrangements are okay.
Angela says 'I fits my classes to the
people, not the other way round, so for example if they are re-training touchpoints, I will
help them follow the advice they have been given by their instructor. I am just
happy to be offer facilities and/or assistance to agility enthusiasts.'
There is a small fee of £3 each session.
For more details, phone Angela on tel.
01323-500900, or see her at the C-Side show for more details.
Canine Sports Science Seminar
Sponsored by KC
Steve Croxford and
Peter van Dongen have organised, with help and sponsorship from The Kennel Club, a day seminar
on 'Canine Sports Science', or A Scientific Approach to the Canine Athlete on
Saturday, 17 February 2007, 8.30am –
6.00pm.
This is a day full of information about
how to choose the right puppy, how to turn your puppy into a canine athlete, how to keep him
fit and what to do to ensure his health and fitness throughout his life. There will be
presentations, from various experts in their field, on different subjects, ranging from Kennel
Club Health Schemes to Nutrition and Nutraceuticals, and from Massage Therapy to Biomechanics,
with an open forum at the end of the day, with all of the day’s speakers present. In addition,
there will be several information stands as well, displaying information about some of the
subjects discussed on the day.
This is a seminar not to be missed by
anyone who takes their dog, and any canine sport they participate in, seriously. The seminar
will take place at Woodland
Grange Conference Centre, Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 6RN and cost :
£60.00 incl. VAT per delegate.
Cheques should be made payable to
‘The Kennel Club’ to be received by 19 January 2007
Application form
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