Training Classes

To take part in any classes you must be a Club Member and the dog must be at least a year old, Members are responsible for advising Trainers of the age of their dogs if under the age of 15 months so that training can be adjusted accordingly. Our classes normally last for an hour with about 6 dogs in a group. Balanced training is used in agility classes.

There is no obligation to compete but you will be expected to help with the Club's agility shows as these pay for agility equipment purchase, maintenance and replacement, and for providing and maintaining the Club training ground.

If you would like to train with us, in the first instance please use 'Contact the Club' on the Agility page. Please give brief details of you and your dog's abilities, and also your dog's age and breed/size and include a telephone number that we can contact you on.

You can also contact the agility coordinator at: gvdtc.hereford@gmail.com

Handlers should come equipped appropriately for the weather conditions as training is outdoors on grass. Footwear should give sufficient grip for slippery conditions. Wellingtons are not suitable. For safety reasons only a flat collar with no dangling tags is permitted on the dogs. No dogs that have been in contact with infectious disease within the last 21 days and no bitches in season can take part in training. All dogs should be kept under close control, on a short lead, between runs and muzzled if necessary.

If circumstances change that affect your ability to attend classes then please let us know ASAP. If you have any thoughts on how we can improve training at Golden Valley please also let us know so that we can pass the information on to the trainers.

Agility Training Schedule - April 2024 to October 2024 (updated April 2024)

Cancellations

In the event of a cancellation or postponement of any Agility activity, it will, if possible, be posted on the Agility page and on the Club's Facebook site - please keep watch! If there is bad weather and you want to know whether a class is cancelled, again look at the Agility page, Facebook or phone the contact number you will have been given - it is your responsibility to find out whether a class is still going ahead.

The Starters League

In the Starters League, there are eight matches; four at home and four away. This is for Grades 1 & 2 as well as young Grade 3 dogs in their first year of competing. The most important thing is that the dogs (and us) have fun and everyone gets as much out of the opportunity as possible. You need to be able to travel to the away matches as well as the home ones (usually Sundays). We will be arranging training sessions - keep an eye on the FB page or website for details, and for dates of the matches.

NOTE:

In order to take part in the league, dogs must be registered and measured with the Kennel Club. Your dog also needs to be familiar with all standard pieces of equipment and be able to get round a course! Please visit the Kennel Club website for details about registering, and watch FB or the web site for dates when measuring is being done.

All enquiries, please contact the agility coordinator at gvdtc.hereford@gmail.com

Great Western League

For information: all dogs must be grade 3 or above.

There will be training sessions for the team if you can make them. Training will be suited to each dog and handler and sessions will also help in assessing for team selection when there are suitable numbers. The team can consist of 6-10 handlers/dogs but the more the merrier! Also, it's appreciated that not everyone can make certain dates so availability will dictate events to a great extent.

Don't forget the Great Western League is an enjoyable but competitive league.