Find information about the classes offered at Capital City Canine Agility Club, including a list of current classes and information on signing up.
We are in our new building at 808 Southland! Our next session of classes begins January 20, 2026. Registration forms are due by January 14.
| Problem Solving (drop in, $20/class) | Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. | 6 weeks |
| Competition Skills | Tuesday, 6:00 | 6 weeks |
| Agility 1 | Tuesday, 7:30 | 6 weeks |
| Conformation (drop in, $15 per class) | Wednesday, 7:00 | weekly |
| Agility 3 | Thursday, 6:00 | 6 weeks |
| Agility 5 | Thursday, 7:15 | 6 weeks |
Agility Class Descriptions—Beginner
Agility 1
This class introduces you to a majority of the agility obstacles, proper jumping skills, and starts you on the path to competition. While it starts you on the path towards competition, we will encourage you not to attempt any competition following this class.
Prerequisites
- The dog must be 1 year of age or older
- Is able to work off leash as needed
- Can pass a basic obedience evaluation (to occur the 1st night of class)
- Is current on vaccinations, and non-aggressive
- Due to weekly homework assignments, the handler must:
- have a jump
- have access to a jump
Class Goals
The dog is able to comfortably work off leash, can complete a full height A-frame and dog walk, is started on the teeter, has proper jumping form including drive to the jump from at least 3′, can perform a recall-to-heel on the flat, and understands parallel path.
Agility 2
This class is designed for serious agility competitors. These classes are for people who are looking to develop and/or improve their handling system with their current dog or for individuals who are dedicated to agility and are bringing up a new dog in the sport. People who are new to competitive dog sports might find these classes tedious. We will focus on correct obstacle performance and proper jumping skills using single jumps and short sequences.
Prerequisites
- Is current on vaccinations, and non-aggressive
- Due to weekly homework assignments, the handler must:
- have a jump
- have access to a jump
- or purchase a jump
- And ONE of the two below:
- has successfully completed C4’s agility 1 class OR
- has prior instructor approval
Class Goals
able to perform a full height teeter, full height tire, dog has drive to the jump from 5-7′, execution of front crosses and rear crosses (on the flat, with stanchions & with a tunnel), recall-to-heel over a jump (basic & extension), able to run sequences of 6-7 obstacles, working towards good end criteria on the contact obstacles and table, and an understanding of pulls, lateral motion, handling cues, collection, & extension
Agility 3
In this class, you will continue to develop the skills to teach your dog how to successfully complete obstacles and run longer sequences. We will be working on things such as front and rear crosses with a jump, successful start line criteria, the difference between pushes and pulls, sequences of 10-11 obstacles, the double and triple, increased drive to the jump, and more recall-to-heel positions.
Prerequisites
- Is current on vaccinations, and non-aggressive
- Due to weekly homework assignments, the handler must:
- have a jump
- have access to a jump
- or purchase a jump
- And ONE of the two below:
- has successfully completed C4’s agility 2 class OR
- has prior instructor approval
Class Goals
Completion of front and rear crosses with jumps, lead outs with obstacles other than jumps, pushes / pulls, 10-11 obstacles in sequence, correct execution of the double and triple, drive to the jump from 7-10′, able to complete the teeter in sequence, performance of serpentine & directed jumping recall-to-heel efforts.
Agility 4
This class is a continuation of the handling series and will focus on teaching additional skills such as the 270 and back-up recall-to-heels, working on lines of motion, furthering our rear cross skills and appropriately applying past and new skills to mini-courses.
Prerequisites
- Is current on vaccinations, and non-aggressive
- Due to weekly homework assignments, the handler must:
- have a jump
- have access to a jump
- or purchase a jump
- And ONE of the two below:
- have successfully completed C4’s Agility 3 class OR
- have prior instructor approval
Class Goals
Being able to appropriately apply the skills you have learned to a course so that you and your dog are able to successfully complete the obstacles, understanding line of motion, performance of 270 and back-up recall-to-heel, send to the back side of a jump, and an understanding of the 3 types of rear crosses.
Puppy Agility
Puppy agility is an introduction to concepts needed for future success in agility. The class incorporates a variety of experiences and exercises aimed at developing the puppy’s confidence, ability to learn, body awareness and teamwork with their handler, in a safe and controlled environment.
Prerequisites
- be at least 4 months old but not yet 16 months on the first day of class
- be up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines
Puppy Agility 2
Puppy agility 2 is the second in a series on concepts needed for future success in agility. The class incorporates a variety of experiences and exercises aimed at developing the puppy’s confidence, ability to learn, body awareness and teamwork with their handler, in a safe and controlled environment.
Prerequisites
- be up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines
- have taken Puppy Agility 1 OR
- have prior instructor approval
Puppy Agility 3
Puppy Agility 3 is the third series that continues to shape and introduce obstacles for future success in agility. The class incorporates a variety of experiences and exercises aimed at developing the puppy’s confidence, ability to learn, body awareness and teamwork with their handler, in a safe and controlled environment. We will work to enhance what we learned in the Puppy 2 class.
Prerequisites
- be up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines
- have taken Puppy Agility 2 OR
- have prior instructor approval
Agility Class Descriptions—Advanced
Agility 5
This class is designed to follow Agility 4 and will continue the process of teaching our dogs to link obstacles together. Students will be given a series of skills to work, such as lead changes, off course traps, distance work. Students will work on sequencing and patterns to enhance their skills and be able to read the dogs line in competition.
Prerequisites
- dog must be current on vaccinations and non-aggressive
- dog must be familiar with all the agility obstacles
- And ONE of the two below:
- successfully completion of C4’s Agility 4 class OR
- prior instructor approval
Class Goals
To gain an understanding of skills that your dog has, as well as learn new skills to further you as a team.
Skills Drills
Skills Drills is a class focused on improving handling skills and introducing some of the more advanced jumping skills. We will generally be running short sequences (from 5-12 obstacles) frequently with a pre-determined way to complete the sequence so that students have a chance to refine specific handling skills. Skills that may be worked on in the class can include post turns, front crosses, blended front crosses, pulls, rear crosses, back-side of the jump, and how to properly cue extension & collection. Exercises used may be from Linda Mecklenburg, Karen Holik, Mary Ellen Berry, etc.
Prerequisites
- Is current on vaccinations, and non-aggressive
- Dog must be familiar with all agility obstacles
- The focus of the class is on jumping sequences, and the dog should have a good understanding of proper jumping skills
- And ONE of the two below:
- has successfully completed C4’s agility 4 or agility 5 class OR
- has prior instructor approval
Class Goals
To fine-tune handling skills.
Competition Skills
This class will be set up to duplicate structured trial like conditions in an effort to ready the handler and dog for competition. There will be a running order, a course to walk, and participants will also act as bar setters (when they’re not running) so that the dogs have a chance to see people in the ring while they’re “competing”.
Prerequisites
- Is current on vaccinations, and non-aggressive
- Dog must be familiar with all agility obstacles
- It will be necessary to bring a crate to class so that when your dog is not in the ring they will have that down time they experience at a trial
- And ONE of the two below:
- has successfully completed C4’s agility 4 or agility 5 class OR
- has prior instructor approval
2×2 Weaves Class
Based on Susan Garrett’s 2×2 weave pole method, this class will teach handlers and dogs how to weave independently at the end of 6 weeks. Students will be responsible for approximately 5 to 10 minutes of homework per day to be successful.
Prerequisites
- Dog should be full grown, at least 14-months
- Is current on vaccinations and non-aggressive
- Dog should be able to offer behaviors for rewards (shaping) for this class
- Dog must be able to work off leash and not be a risk to other students or dogs
- And ONE of the two below:
- Has successfully completed C4’s agility 2 class OR
- Has prior instructor approval
Equipment Requirements
- Students are required to have access to 3 sets of 2×2 weave pole bases (totaling 6 poles). This can be accomplished by
- renting them from the club (see below)
- purchasing them on your own OR
- building your own set with PVC
Students that rent the 2x2s from the club will be required to bring them to class each week. There is a fee/deposit of renting from the club of $120. If students return the 2x2s the last night of class in good order, a refund check of $100 will be mailed within 7 days to the student.
Class Goals
At the end of 6 weeks, dogs will be able to find the entrance to a set of 6 weave poles, and then correctly and independently pass through them.
Drop-in Agility: Handling Problem Solving
The instructor will have courses and or exercises ready to work on the first week. The students will then give feedback to the instructor on what they would like to work on in the following weeks.
This class will allow you to work on improving your handling as well as have some fun with your dog. This class is not for beginner handlers or very young dogs.
Prerequisites
- have some basic understanding of agility and handling skills
- has completed our AG2 class or has comparable skills
Agility Problem Solving
This class will allow you to work on improving your handling as well as have some fun with your dog. The instructor will develop exercises that are geared to improving problem solving and handling skills, including distance work, performance anxiety, start lines, etc. This class is not for beginner handlers or very young dogs.
Prerequisites
- handler and dog must have some basic understanding of agility and handling skills, preferably by taking at least our Agility 1 course.
Open/Novice
This class will allow you to work on improving your handling as well as have some fun with your dog. The instructor will provide Novice and Open style courses that will enhance your teamwork and connection with your dog.
Prerequisites
- handler and dog must have some basic understanding of agility and handling skills.
- preferably have taken at least our Agility 1 and Agility 2 courses.
Handling Skills
This class will focus on improving your skills as a handler and building connection with your dog. Emphasis will be placed on learning to craft a handling path that caters to your dog’s individual strengths and weaknesses. This class may be run as either a 4- or 6-week session. See the class registration sheet for more information.
Prerequisites
- handler and dog must understand the basics of front and rear crosses.
- handler has completed our AG2 class (prior completion of AG3 is preferable) or has instructor permission.
CPE Games
This class will introduce handlers to the basics of the six CPE agility games, with each week focusing on the rules and strategies for a different game. The instructor will supply courses (or close approximations) from actual CPE trials. Time will also be taken to discuss how to enter CPE trials and how to read course maps.
Prerequisites
- handler and dog must have a basic understanding of agility and handling skills and be able to complete 10 to 12 obstacles in sequence.
Other Class Descriptions
Conformation (No registration needed)
This is a drop in class for all handlers and dogs. Work on relationship building, proper ring behavior for both the handler and dog. This class is run weekly. Check the top of this page or our social media for information on any weeks that may be canceled.
Trick Dog
This is a 6 week class. In 5 weeks you will learn 10 AKC approved tricks, on the 6th week, if you choose, there will be the AKC Novice Trick Dog Evaluation. (The evaluation requires a separate fee of $10.00 that will be paid directly to the instructor.) You will receive an AKC Trick Dog Checklist and an AKC Trick application that will need to be filled out and mailed with an AKC fee to receive the title. Your dog will need an AKC number if you plan on sending in your application on the 6th week. A PALS number application can be sent in with the paperwork.
Each week we will work on two tricks, starting with more basic ones then moving to more difficult ones. Please bring a large number of treats, water, and a crate. Make sure you have poop bags with you as well.
Capital City Canine Agility Club of Lansing 