We are fortunate here at Mountain View to have the partnership of Holly Hammerle of Team Run Agility, who holds several sessions of agility classes here throughout the year, generally on Thursdays and/or Saturdays. Team Run classes are aimed at competition handling, and Holly is a dynamo at organizing her classes and teaching the skills needed to be successful in agility competition.

Team Run Agility – Handling for Beginning Competition

Prerequisite: The team is able to perform with confidence on all obstacles and beginning handling concepts, or instructor permission. Dog/handler team should be competing at the entry or middle level of competition (Novice and/or Open).The team will be introduced to current typical course segments and most handling concepts necessary to prepare the team (dog & handler) toward the second level of competition in any venue of agility. Basic concepts will be continued with the emphasis on handler timing and strategy for dog drive and commitment to directed obstacles and direction between obstacles. Time will also be spent on handler signals and the impact on their partner. Handlers will work on concepts of front cross, back cross, finding the line, lead outs, etc.

Team Run Agility – Handling Techniques for Competition

Open to anyone competing or getting ready to compete. The dog should be competent on all equipment. This class will present short sequences showing different handling techniques that can be applied to those sequences. We will cover crosses of all kinds, V points, pivots, lead out options, etc.

Team Run Agility – Handling for Advanced Competition

Prerequisite: The dog/handler team is competing in Excellent, Master, Elite or instructor permission. This class is taught at the upper level of competition challenge. This class covers handling techniques necessary for upper level competition, the team’s success in course strategy, and in running the course. It will help the team evaluate their strengths and improve their weaknesses. Sequences will be used to provide the opportunity to try and achieve success with the variety of techniques currently seen in upper level competition. This class is committed to staying current with trends in competition handling techniques and strategies. It should be your class for now and the future of your team. Handlers will be introduced to many handling concepts (blind cross, reverse flow pivot, pivoting the dog, counter rotation, layering, fronts, distance work, etc.)

Team Run Agility – Focus Classes

Short (half hour) classes focusing on special aspects of agility. WEAVES focus – Addresses correct, enthusiastic performance of weave poles. GROUNDWORK focus – Your dog only spends part of his time on the equipment (or in the air); this class will help you keep your connection with the dog on the ground — and on the equipment by utilizing groundwork exercises to sharpen your handling skills. CONTACT focus – Work on correct, reliable performance of contact obstacles.