Agility Workshops at Dogz

Dogz is hosting 4 great agility clinics with Christine Boisvert

Motivation & Control - Sunday August 28 from 9am - 12pm

Dog training is a fine-line between motivation and control. Too much motivation and you have a dog that breaks start-line stays, enthusiastically sails over contacts, and generally runs amok. Too much control and you have a slow and methodical pokey potato who struggles to make course times.

Come and learn some of the motivational games taught at Say Yes designed to help you find that balance and lay the foundation for many agility staples, including rock solid start-line stays with explosive releases, enthusiastic yet solid contact performances, and focus on you with the ability to drive away with confidence. These games will include Crate Games, Its Yer Choice, and many, many others. If you already have a good foundation of Crate Games and Its Yer Choice - AWESOME! Come and learn how to grow those behaviours into Extreme Crate Games and Extreme Its Yer Choice! This workshop is great for both puppies and adult dogs.



Shaping & Body Awareness - Tuesday August 30 from 6:30-9:30pm

Tough weave pole entries, contacts at speed, tight turns over jumps…what do these all have in common? Why, Shaping and Body Awareness, of course! Shaping skills are the foundation for teaching all of these behaviours at Say Yes. These skills are particularly crucial for teaching dogs to weave with the 2x2 method, and also for teaching Say Yes’ method of contact training. In addition, in order to perform well in agility, your dog needs to have excellent body awareness and the ability to fluidly shift his weight back onto his haunches.

This workshop is designed to get you started on the right paw so that 2x2 and contact training will be a snap! The skills will also pay off big time with your jump training.  This workshop is great for puppies just starting out, and also for adult dogs that may need some extra help in the shaping and body-awareness departments to fine-tune their agility skills.



Intro to 2x2 Weave Training - Saturday September 3 from 9am - 12pm

Come and learn about the weave training method that’s taking the agility world by storm:  Susan Garrett’s 2 x 2 method!

Christine will introduce you to the method, and teach you the fundamental skills needed to create a dynamite weaving dog with awesome entries.  This workshop will show you the proper set-up and mechanics of 2 x 2s, and how you progress through the method to get an awesome 12 pole weaving machine!   NOTE:  The Motivation & Control and Body Awareness & Shaping clinics teach your dog highly desirable skills that will help with your 2x2 training



Intro to 2 On-2 Off Contacts - Sunday September 11 from  9am - 12pm

Are you just starting out in agility and you’re wondering how to teach solid contacts?  Do you have a dog that had great contacts when you first started trialing, but now you find yourself praying to the agility gods as your dog approaches the yellow?  Come learn about a proven method for teaching solid 2 On – 2 Off contacts.

Christine teaches the contact method as taught by Susan Garrett at “Say Yes” Dog Training.  In the clinic you’ll learn their step-by-step process to building amazing contact performance, as well as cover various games and fundamental skills to help your dog become a contact superstar!
NOTE:  The Motivation & Control and Body Awareness & Shaping clinics teach your dog highly desirable skills that will help with your 2O-2O contact training


General Information:

The clinics will be held outdoors in a fully fenced grass ring (no chance of escape!). Washrooms are available as well as parking near the ring.  There’s plenty of room for tents and crates, and the clinics will still run in the event of rain.  The ring has lighting for evening clinics.


The cost of each clinic:    $75 for participants  /  $35 for auditors

Space  is limited to 12 participants in each clinic, and an unlimited number of auditors.  

What you need to bring with you:   pen and paper for taking notes, a chair, a variety of different toys (if your dog is toy motivated) and MOST FAVORITE  treats, a crate (and a cover if your dog is noisy).  If your dog is not toy motivated, it would be a good idea to bring a toy that you can stuff treats in (like a tug-and-treat, or Peter Groulx’s “Stasher” )


ENTRIES FOR THE MOTIVATION & CONTROL CLINIC ON AUGUST 28TH – will be accepted by email (events@dogz.ca ) and you can bring your entry form and fee with you on Sunday.

ENTRIES FOR ALL OTHER CLINICS MUST BE MAILED – space permitting, late entries may be sent by email.

Hope you can join us!

Dogz.ca