Q.  How old does my dog have to be to start agility training?
A.  You and your puppy can participate in Agility Club classes or seminars around the age of 4 to 6 months, depending your situation.  However, you will not be allowed to have your puppy jumping at any club-sponsored training activity due risk of injury.

Q.  Should we complete an obedience class before starting agility training?
A.  Absolutely.  Although this depends on the age, sex and maturity of your dog, and on your dog training experience, it is almost always beneficial for you and your dog to attend a beginner’s or basic obedience class.  Puppy kindergarten classes also help with socialization and your ‘trainer’ abilities.

Q.  What agility training opportunities are available today?
A.   In 2003, the Agility Club’s training committee developed a “Foundations for Agility” class of six one-hour classroom sessions, and a one-hour obstacle and course session held in an arena or park.  Informational handouts are provided.

This class requires a six-week commitment, and includes some homework.  After successfully completing the class, students are eligible to attend ACCW member practices.  This class should prepare the students to take charge of their own agility training, with access to mentors (club members) as they progress.

Q.   What about obedience classes?
A.   The Agility Club is conducting a Basic Obedience class in March and April.  Future classes are under discussion but have not been scheduled.  Other local dog clubs and individuals offer obedience classes, which are announced or advertised in the local newspapers.

Q.   What other agility training has been available to people in Casper who want to get started in dog agility with their dog?
A.   In the past couple years, the Agility Club of Central Wyoming has offered on an “Introduction to Agility” seminar lasting from 2 to 4 hours.  Handler – dog teams are instructed on performance through each obstacle.  Then each team has an individual course run, with spotters on all obstacles.  Informational handouts are provided.  Following this Intro seminar, students could attend Agility Club practices and use club equipment according to the rules of each practice.  This was a kind of “sink or swim” approach for people interested in agility.  It was left to you to research and learn on your own what to do to progress in agility with your dog.

Q.   What if I have an opinion about what the Agility Club’s and the training committee should do for agility training?
A.   As a club member, your opinions and information can be given to the committee during a committee meeting, or you can call committee members using the membership list.  All committee meetings are open to all members, so go to a meeting and help with the work!  There is a lot involved in providing members and the public training opportunities.... but it’s easier if the workload is shared!  Training committee recommendations are voted on at the general membership meetings.

Q.   Do 4-H members have to have a rabies certificate on file to go to trainings?
A. Everyone, Agility Club members or non-members, must have a current rabies certificate on file with the club secretary on the day they attend a training session.

Q.   Can anyone - everyone - bring their dog to an ACCW-sponsored training session?
A. Yes, BUT, the there are some restrictions in club’s training policies.
*    All people present need to sign in on the attendance sheet at training sessions and minors need a parent's or guardian's written permission.
*    Attendance of an "Intro to Agility" seminar is a prerequisite to participation at training sessions for all new participants.  Participants may be exempted from this requirement if they can show proficiency in agility training.
*    Members can't participate at club activities with a dog without a current/valid rabies certificate on file with the club secretary.

Q. What are the club’s training policies?
A. The policies were the subject of lengthy discussion during the April 17 general membership meeting. Meeting minutes will reflect that the June 2001 policies were re-affirmed, and two draft forms were approved for finalizing for use at trainings.

Q. What equipment does the ACCW own, and how do I get to use it?
A. The club owns:
12-ft chute (training)
15-foot tunnel
10 jumps with wings (fabric)
pause table
12-foot dog walk
12-foot teeter
9-foot A-frame
12 weave poles
Numbers 1-24 (which work really well for set up)

Q.   So, who owns all the jumps, tunnels, and contact obstacles that are used at the training sessions?
A.   The members who bring most of the equipment most of the time are Beckhams, Mulls, Schafers, and Skillmans.  Leslie Blythe, Jo Ann Eichorn, Vickie Jasmann, and Kellie Overeem have also provided agility equipment at ACCW-sponsored sessions or events.  (PS - If anyone has been forgotten, please let us know immediately!  Your participation and help is always appreciated and should be recognized here, too!)