Agility Instructor Training

[kelpiechick]

Our agility club is finally (after 4 years) looking at training some new instructors.

But at a meeting with 14 people, there are 14 different opinions about how it should be done.

So my questions are -

1. Does anyone's club have a program in place for training new instructors?

2. What does this involve?

3. What do you think an agility instructor needs to know?

TIA !

[JulesP]

1. Yes it does. You do the obedience training and then extra training for agility.

2. Ummm don't know

3. The rules! Different methods. Problem solving skills.

[Silvawilow]

More instructors, you lucky ducky

I'm it for our club in agility, one lady is great (been there for years) and helps out, very knowledgeable obedience instructor.

I can only tell you about new obedience instructors at our club:

1: We have a fairly relaxed training program

2: Newbies shadow experienced instructors until that instructor thinks that they are ready to go it alone. The newbie also assists the instructor they're shadowing by "floating" in the class and helping individuals they think need a bix extra.

3: How to communicate effectively, how to demonstrate well. They need to be aware of rules (duh). I also think they need to be aware of different types of dogs and their style of agility; i.e. instructor who runs slow dogs needs to also know how to run and train fast dogs, training high drive vs low drive, etc!

[bordacollies4me]

our club which is just an agility club, has a instructor program... where suitable candidates are asked to attend three training nights, first 2 explaining a little on people skills and how not all dogs and handlers are the same and learn the same, how the classes are structured , how the instructor program works and what is expected of them as instructors... the third night is with dogs explaining the fundamentals of how dogs learn, handling skills and how to teach equipment, we are a positive based club etc...

all candidates are first helpers in the class, observing the instructor and assistant instructor, until they are comfortable to then become an assistant instructor, they will become a lead instructor when other lead instructors feel comfortable that they can handle leading a class, and they are then always placed with an experienced lead instructor as there assistant... this process may take from 4 weeks with experienced handlers to 3-4 months with the not so confident... no new instructor is pushed into moving ahead until they are comfortable...

Hope this helps

[Staff'n'Toller]

Which agility club are you at Kelpiechick?

(Personal interest)

Mel.

[kelpiechick]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Everything is helpful - the more info. the more we can make informed decisions as to what is the best process to put in place so please keep the ideas coming.

Staff 'n' Toller, I am at Agility Dog Club Vic.

[Pippi]

Hi Kelpiechick

I'll just skip right to Q3. "What do you think an agility instructor needs to know?"

1. The basic training methodology of the club. +R only, +R and -P, or all 4 quadrants including +P. Does the club actually have a methodology which they train by and enforce?.

2. Rules and Guidelines of the club. Are there any?

3. What are the policies re handling aggressive dogs?

4. Are the training methods for teaching contacts, handling moves, start line stays etc consistent among instructors.

5. Are the senior instructors currently trialling in agility or recently trialled in agility.

6. A familiarity with the rules of the game including equipment requirements, correct heights etc.

7. How to design an agility course appropriate for the level being trained.

8. How to design specific sequences for teaching a specific skill, either for the dog or handler. Not just completing small parts of a course.

9. How to ensure that both dogs and handlers are always safe - really fits under rules and guidelines but I'm talking about the safe use of equipment and safety from other dogs/handlers which may sometimes be necessary.

10. How to teach different class levels, from beginners to advanced triallers.

11. Lots of time as a buddy instructor with time for briefing and debriefing.

12. People skills are important

13. Some knowledge of how to train different types of dogs e.g. low drive Vs high drive. How to motivate dogs (and some handlers)

Just realised that I may have not answered the question clearly. The above is a combination of what newbies need to know and what may already exist. Hope that makes sense. I'm sure there is more but this is all I can think of for now.

Edited May 20, 2008 by Pippi

[kelpiechick]

Great answer - thanks Pippi

BC4me, I really like the idea of a '3 tier system' with the helpers, trainees and then instructors. Thanks.