CLASSES
ANiMotion Agility
Foundations TO INTERNATIONAL WORLD TEAM AGILITY…
AAC,UKI,CKC,AKC,USDAA,FCI
Head Instructor: Nicki Gurr
Breeze - the dog that taught me everything and the photograph captured by the brilliant and never forgotten Kristi Oikawa
Nicki has been teaching Agility since 2003 and has helped hundreds of handlers from those brand new to the sport, to World Team members. She teaches weekly handling classes and private lessons at her facility in Nanaimo, BC and also in Victoria BC at the Smart Dog Training facility.
Unable to attend in person? Look at Nicki’s online classes! The AniMotion Academy for Online Agility classes can be found here: AniMotion Academy Online Agility Classes.
Agility trends change over the years, but how dogs learn, and how they interpret their human partners on course, will NEVER change. Dogs are the same around the world. Nicki has helped many students learn what their dogs already know - how to read and anticipate another moving animal. Agility is a combination of rhythm and science. Knowing why it works and why it doesn’t, is a passion Nicki shares with all of her students. You don’t have to be really fast or even really athletic to have success competing in Agility. You “just” need to know how to deliver information to your dog in the right order.
The Mount Benson ring with ringside parking
The “Promenade Deck” - upper ring
Group lessons:
If you are currently involved in Agility and are looking to join one of our Handling classes click here Group classes
If you are brand new to Agility the prerequisites are: completion of a group Obedience class, your dog has been crate trained, your dog has a recall and is not aggressive towards other dogs and people, you are physically able to handle/move with your dog. All new dogs to our program will begin Agility in our Hoopers stream… check out our brand new Hoopers program!
PRIVATE LESSONS- nanaimo, Victoria
Private lessons are offered in 60/90 minute blocks ($100/$150 for one handler/any number of dogs) for Handlers not training with me on a regular basis. They can also be shared between 2 people ($60/$90 per handler). Having trouble with a certain element? Need some eyes/input on your handling? Start line has evaporated? Want to switch from Running back to stopped contacts? Weaving woes?
2-3 Wednesdays per month I am coaching at the Smart Dog Arena in Victoria. If you would like to have a 30 minute private should a space become available, contact me to be on the wait list or if a spot is available due to the student being unable to attend class. A Hoopers class has started on my trips to Smart Dog. A 2nd one may be available. Email me if you would like to have a spot in an upcoming Hoopers class in Victoria.
TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS…
“Well, when I refer people to you , I explain that your foundation training is very thorough, no matter if their goal is to compete or just have fun. It encompasses life skills for the dog, basic things that every dog needs to know, as well as the ground work that is needed in Agility. You break things down so it is easy to learn for both the human and the dog. You don’t jump ahead or around, so there aren’t any big gaps. You build on things taught. You make it exciting and fun for the dog, which makes the dog want more.”
“-comprehensive program for development of foundation skills
-small classes with students of similar levels and abilities
-individualized instruction geared toward students/dogs needs
-great ability to see dogs needs in order to set goals and direct learning
-great eye for structure and possible health concerns in
dogs participating in classes
-very generous with time and expertise to all students
-small friendly classes
-great facility well maintained grass ring, sand ring and
training building
- phenomenal knowledge of agility and training dogs”
“Nicki explains the significance of the drills we do and how they relate to real-time agility! When I first came to Nicki with my older dog I had major!!!! problems with impulse control and holding a start line. By instituting a good crate training program and other trainings drills, I had a significant improvement in his impulse control and very good start line. Believe me, no start-line and poor impulse control , YOU Are DEAD in the water in relation to agility !!!! ”
“I started training with Nicki because I wanted to learn how to manage an exuberant Lab puppy. Nicki’s passion for agility has given me the tools to take a puppy, with no impulse control, to a more mature and focused dog who loves playing the game. Nicki’s approach is to train the handler from the dog’s point of view. This philosophy is key to creating better handling and a cohesive team. After two years of training, Tank and I have learned to work as a team and continue to do so. Most importantly, he is excited to play at every class.”
“‘I have enjoyed Agility with my Corgis for over 5 years. Nicki’s extremely knowledgeable teachings with emphasis on connecting with the dog has been invaluable to me and the Corgis! A good testimony from me is that I have referred several clients to Nicki with confidence.”
“Nicki has a natural gift for teaching. She is a versatile trainer who has helped me train two chihuahuas and a border collie in agility. I have learned a lot from her about looking at an agility course from the dog’s perspective and making the best handling choices for each of my individual dogs.”
“Nicki is teaching me to better understand and communicate with my easily overaroused and easily frustrated dog. After 10months with her, we have gone from seriously considering quitting agility to trialing successfully.”
“I am really enjoying my puppy lessons with Nicki. She is kind and fun, and my puppy loves her. I couldnt ask for a better start for my sensitive pup!”
“Cipher and I started our agility foundation with Nicki when Cipher was 10 weeks old. Nicki runs an exceptionally structured and well organized foundation program. She never let us rush or get ahead of ourselves. Nicki’s foundation is not about equipment - that part comes later. Instead, Nicki focuses on shaping behaviours, impulse control and jump education. Once those skills are established, the equipment is easy. At 18 months old, Cipher and I were able to confidently step into the ring and consistently execute clean, controlled runs. More importantly, Cipher had the skills and confidence to behave appropriately while ringside in a highly energized and charged environment.”
“My young Mexican street rescue was very timid and anxious in new situations. I enrolled her in Nicki’s agility classes to help her develop self confidence in herself. In a short time, she went from being super anxious putting one foot in a 1 ft. short tunnel to running a curved 20 ft tunnel at warp speed! Nicki’s teaching techniques and tips helped Rosie learn how to handle new situations with more confidence and swagger. I am very happy with the positive changes I am seeing in my pup.”