General Information / Requirements
Mattaponi Agility Dogs (MAD) strives to offer a variety of classes for anyone wishing to participate in the popular sport of dog agility. Experienced trainers as well as dog owners new to agility are welcome to join us for the fun and challenge of agility training. MAD teaches agility classes April through October at the Prince William County Fairgrounds in Manassas, VA, where we maintain two 110’ x 110’ fenced, lighted agility rings on grass.
We offer spring, summer, and fall sessions. Classes are divided into Beginner, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, Advanced, and Competition. Our goal is to offer at least one class at each level during each session, and each class has at least one instructor. However, classes offered in each session depend on instructor availability, as our instructors are not paid but rather are knowledgeable volunteers from Mattaponi Kennel Club. If we are unable to offer all our classes, we may create a hybrid class that combines 2 levels, but each dog and handler will be instructed at their proficiency level.
In addition to the five structured classes, from time-to-time we may offer opportunities for run-thrus of nested Novice and Master level agility courses as well as specialty or “focus” classes, such as Weave pole focus or contact obstacle focus. Run-thrus and specialty classes are often scheduled during the summer when instructors and students can’t commit to a regular class due to vacation plans or when weather interrupts the flow of the class. Any run-thrus or focus classes will be announced on our website as soon as decisions are made for the session.
The class schedule for each session, as well as opening and closing dates for registration, will be listed on our website as soon as it is determined. Click here for the registration form and associated instructions including class fees.
Classes and other MAD-sponsored training will be conducted in accordance with all State and local health regulations regarding COVID-19 and associated mitigation efforts.
General Requirements
Dogs enrolled in our classes must be easily controlled by their handler and not demonstrate aggressive behavior towards people or other dogs. Formal obedience training is not required, but control on and off lead is a necessity. Dogs must be at least 8 months of age and have a current Rabies vaccination, proof of which MUST be submitted with the registration form. Bitches in season (BIS) are not allowed in the Beginner or Intermediate classes. They can participate in Advanced and Competition level classes wearing properly fitted panties. The only training equipment that must be supplied by the dog’s owner/handler is a flat buckle collar or Martingale (no choke collars, no harnesses, and no tags, please), a 6-foot lead, a small hand-tab for the collar, and toys or plenty of small motivational treats for the dog. There is no potable water onsite, so you should also bring water for yourself and your dog.
Prerequisites
A new client who wishes to enter a class other than Beginner must attend a scheduled evaluation session to receive approval prior to being accepted into the class. Approval can be from the Beginner class instructor or through a competency test. All other classes require satisfactory completion of the previous level before advancing to the next class. Classes may be repeated as needed to provide the dog and handler an adequate foundation for subsequent classes and for agility competition.
Handlers under the age of 16 with no prior experience in agility must be evaluated prior to being accepted into a class. The evaluation will look at the junior handler’s ability to control and train their dog, follow instructions, and assess and accept responsibility for the dog’s performance and well-being in class. Handlers under the age of 18 must have a parent’s signature on the registration form and are given a discounted rate for classes.
Class Fees
Classes fees are listed on the second page of the Registration form. If a student does not get into a class, they will be so-informed and their check will be shredded. In the event a student withdraws from the class, refunds will be pro-rated based on the rate paid for the class and the number of weeks remaining in the class. There will be no refunds following Week 3 of a session, except for bitches in season; sick or injured dogs or handlers; or dogs expelled for bad behavior.
Class Descriptions
Beginner
Provides an introduction to obstacles, on-lead control, handling techniques, and jumping concepts. Obstacles introduced include: low A-Frame (3 to 4 feet high); open tunnel; running board; ladder; table; jumps; 3-pole weave entry, channel weaves, and weave pole teaching concepts; rocker board or low teeter; dog walk (8’ long, 3’ high); and broad jump. During this class, the dogs build up to sequences of two or three obstacles. Most of the work in this class is done on lead. It is strongly encouraged that dogs in this class have at least a 30-second sit-stay and a recall. A Beginner Orientation (1 to 2 hours long) is required for new clients, which provides basics on what is needed in class, expected behaviors, Fairgrounds rules, class etiquette, suggested treats, etc.
Intermediate I
Builds on concepts introduced in the Beginner class and exposes dogs to all equipment used in novice/beginner competitions, at gradually increasing heights. Handling concepts introduced include side changes (front cross, rear cross, and blind cross); slightly angled entries to obstacles; distance handling; and longer sequencing of obstacles. The panel jump and wing jumps will be introduced. Dogs should begin to transition from being on lead to working under control of the handler off lead. Students for this class should have permission from the instructor to move ahead from the Beginner class, recommendation after an independent evaluation, or recommendation to repeat this level to improve the dog and handler’s ability before moving to a more difficult level.
Intermediate II
Previously introduced obstacles will be increased to full AKC competition height, entered from more acute angles, and placed in combination with other obstacles to increase the difficulty. Spread jumps (the triple and double) will be introduced. Various handling strategies will be discussed and practiced including crosses, sends to the back-side of jumps, and obstacle discrimination (directing the dog to the proper obstacle when two obstacles are close to each other, such as a tunnel next to A-frame).
In this class, dogs must work off lead and remain under control while another dog is working on a nearby sequence in the same ring. Those who cannot remain under control will be removed from this class and if there is room, moved to a lower-level class. Students in this class should have completed Intermediate I and been given permission to move up.
Advanced
Provides exposure to full courses requiring handling techniques developed in prior classes and seen in recent competitions. Standard and jumpers courses are provided, with use of all AKC competition obstacles at full height. In this class, students will walk the designated course, which may be run as a whole or in smaller sequences. With the instructor’s assistance, handlers will make decisions on how to direct their dog through the sequences. Additional instruction will be provided to help correct any errors they incur on the course.
Competition
Provides exposure to full courses requiring handling techniques developed in prior classes and seen in recent competitions. Nested standard and jumpers courses are provided, with use of all AKC competition obstacles at full height. In this class, students will walk the designated course and make their own handling decisions on how to direct their dog through the sequences. Students can select between Novice and Master level sequences. Students who are actively trialing in agility are encouraged to provide the instructor with maps of courses/sequences that they found particularly challenging.
Specialty Classes
Specialty or “focus” classes, such as weave pole focus or contact obstacle focus may be added to the schedule as instructors become available. Prerequisites for such classes will be defined when the class is announced. For example, a weave pole focus class might be designed to increase speed through the poles and develop the dog’s ability to find the poles from various obstacles and at more acute angles. Therefore, it would require that students have a designated level of proficiency with at least 6 in-line or almost in-line poles.
Run-Thrus
Run-thrus are offered from time-to-time on a drop-in basis. They provide nested Master and Novice level standard and jumpers courses, which allow participants to work on handling skills, obstacle performance, and making handling decisions when walking a course. For run-thrus, all contact obstacles are set at competition height. For safety, dogs need to be proficient on all equipment, which means they should be working in a level comparable to the Advanced class or higher. Run-thrus are weather permitting; check the MKC webpage for scheduled times and cancellations. If there is a large turnout, we may limit handlers to two runs per dog (3 minutes of ring time for each run).
Schedule / Registration
Click here for the Registration form including class fees, payment options, and methods for submission. Registration is on a first-received basis, and classes do fill before the registration period ends. Please submit your completed registration early in the registration period to increase your chances of being enrolled in the class you desire.
Spring 2024 Class Schedule
Beginner Class Orientation - March 20, 2024 from 6:00pm - 6:50pm
Beginner Class - March 25, Apr 8, 15, 20, 29, May 13 from 6:00pm - 6:50pm
Intermediate I Class - March 25, Apr 8, 15, 20, 29, May 13 from 7:00pm - 7:50pm
Intermediate II Class - March 27, Apr 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1 from 6:00pm - 6:50pm
Advanced Class -March 27, Apr 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1 from 7:00pm - 7:50pm
The full class schedule and brochure for Spring 2024 is available here.
Classes are taught at the Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Road Business Route 234 Manassas, VA. For directions to the Fairgrounds, click here.