DOG AGILITY CLASSES, DOG TRAINING AND HIKING

Pathfinder offers a variety of classes and regularly schedules new ones. If you have any questions about individual classes feel free to contact me throught the Contact page on this site.

I also keep waiting lists for specific classes, so let me know if you would like to be added. Those on the waiting lists are notified of class openings first and get the first chance to register.

Classes are held at my home outdoor arena in spring, summer and fall, winter classes are held in a private indoor arena. Both locations are in Stevensville.

Canine ABC Class

Basic manners (sit, down stay, loose leash walking, not jumping up, etc.), building a solid relationship, impulse control, distractions, and enhancing communication with your puppy or dog through positive training, games and exercises.  Class is 7 weeks and open to dogs and puppies of all ages.

INTRODUCTION TO AGILITY

Intro is a four week introduction to the basic concepts of handling an agility dog. Through a series of really fun games, this class will teach you how to be the sole focus of your dog, how to teach them to follow you and how to begin to draw the path you intend to have the dog follow. It is primarily focused on ground work and handling, with a small introduction to equipment. This is a great class for all dogs, aged 3 month to 16 years! Basic obedience and off leash manners are an asset for this class. Class runs for 4 weeks. 
New classes are scheduled regularly.

BEGINNING AGILITY 1 AND 2 - THE OBSTACLES

Beginning Agility 1 and 2 are both four week classes that build off of Intro and introduces you and your dog to NADAC style agility equipment. Over the first four weeks, your dog will learn how to do a variety of obstacles and how to sequence them together to run a short course. During the second four week block, we continue to help the dogs build confidence in performing obstacles while teaching you handling techniques and the ability to sequence obstacles together to form short, fun courses. Obedience and off leash manners are strongly recommended for these classes. Classes are 4 weeks.

INTERMEDIATE AGILITY - handling

Intermediate agility is scheduled in four week blocks for those who are becoming serious about the sport. In these two classes we will work on changes of direction, discriminations and begin some more complex courses. This class is designed to prepare handlers and dogs for competition. Basic obedience and off leash manners are required and dogs and owners must have completed Beginner 1 and 2 or an equivalent to enter.  Dogs must be crated in class. Classes are either 4 weeks or run on a punch card system.

ADVANCED AGILITY - CONTINUING EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Pathfinder's Continuing Education and Skills Class is for the advanced handler or serious competitor. We work on fine tuning handling and working complex sequences. Advanced Agility is scheduled in four week blocks. These classes will help build confidence, teamwork and partnership with a huge emphasis on fun for handlers and dogs! Completion of all Introduction, Beginner and Intermediate classes, or an equivalent are required. Off leash manners are required and dogs must be crated during class.  Classes are either 4 weeks or run on a punch card system.

YAPPY TRAILS - TRAILSIDE

Trailside is the 'real world' version of the Yappy Trails Seminar. In this class we will meet with dogs outdoors, to learn how to teach trail manners to the dogs. The seminar is highly recommended for this class but not required.

COME HERE, PLEASE! - Recall Class

The request for your dog to come to you, or recall, is arguably the most important skill any dog should know. It is something we all use every day, whether at home or out on the trail and can be a matter of life or death. This four week course will teach you how to teach your dog to have a strong, reliable recall. 

Oh, deer! - Predation substitute training

Is your dog prey driven, do they chase deer or wildlife? Dogs are predators and while chasing behavior is often innate, escalating that to killing or harming wildlife isn’t acceptable. In Oh Deer we work with the dog’s natural instincts to teach dogs the acceptable forms of the hunt and how to satisfy those urges with rewards from us which helps to orient interest away from wildlife and onto us instead. This is a 4 week class.