Specialty Training, Agility
Run a Real Agility Course With Your Dog
From a dog's first tunnel to AKC trial titles, our weekend agility classes build teamwork, confidence, and serious off-leash focus on a full-spec course.
Where can I take dog agility classes near Scottsdale?
Partners Dog School runs weekend dog agility classes on a full-spec course, jumps, tunnels, weaves, A-frame, dog walk, teeter, and table, at our Scottsdale and Cave Creek facilities. Beginners start with foundation handling and obstacle confidence, while experienced teams sharpen sequencing and contacts for AKC trial prep. Beyond the ribbons, agility is some of the best focus and impulse-control work a dog can do, which is why we often recommend it as a next step after obedience training. Any breed, any age, any athletic level is welcome to start.
WHAT'S IN THE PROGRAM
Three Levels on One Full-Spec Course
- Foundations Class. Equipment introduction at safe heights and angles, plus the handling vocabulary you will use forever, front cross, rear cross, send, lead-out. No prior agility experience required.
- Intermediate Sequences. Stringing obstacles together with speed and accuracy. Weave-pole entries, contact criteria, and short numbered courses that mirror trial layouts.
- Trial Prep. Full-length courses, timed runs, mock trials, and the start-line and ring procedures you need to walk into your first AKC or USDAA event ready.
THE SPORT
Handler and Dog, Working as One
Agility is a timed obstacle sport where you and your dog navigate a sequence of jumps, tunnels, weave poles, A-frame, dog walk, teeter-totter, and pause table in a judge-set order. It builds athleticism, confidence, and the kind of off-leash communication you cannot get from obedience alone.
At Partners Dogs we teach it in tiered weekend classes on a full-equipment course, not foam jumps in a parking lot. Your dog learns on the real obstacles they will see in competition, sized and angled to their level. Every class coaches the handler at least as much as the dog.
Family-owned since 1997. 70,000+ dogs trained. 4.8 stars across roughly 2,000 reviews. Two Arizona campuses, Scottsdale and Cave Creek.
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EQUIPMENT AND TRACKS
The Equipment You Will Learn, and the Right Track for Your Dog
Jumps. Adjustable bar jumps, double jumps, spread jumps, and tire (panel). Heights are set by your dog's shoulder height, not their breed standard.
Tunnels. Straight runs and curves, introduced early because most dogs love them and they build send-and-recall from day one.
Weave Poles. The iconic agility skill. We teach with channel weaves first so dogs learn the rhythm before the precision.
Contact Obstacles. A-frame, dog walk, teeter-totter. Lowered to safe heights for beginners and raised to trial spec only when the dog's footwork earns it.
Pause Table. A 2-sit or 2-down between obstacle sequences, the skill that quietly separates ready-to-trial dogs from not-yet dogs.
Foundations (Beginner) is right if your dog has solid obedience but has never touched agility equipment, you are new to handling, or you want a fun weekend activity with zero pressure to compete. Six weeks, no competition required.
Intermediate Sequences is right if your dog has run obstacles before (here or elsewhere) and can string at least 3 obstacles confidently. You are starting to think about trials but are not there yet.
Trial Prep is right if you have a target event on the calendar and need ring procedure, timed runs, and the polish that turns a class dog into a competition dog. We run mock trials with judging callouts.
LOGISTICS
Pricing and What to Bring
Pricing. All three levels are priced per 6-week block. Current rates are posted on the booking page, call 480-595-6700 if you want the number today. We do not bundle the levels; you re-enroll level by level so you only pay for what your dog is ready to do.
What to bring. Athletic shoes (you will run), a 6-foot flat leash, a flat collar or front-clip harness (no prong, no e-collar in the ring), high-value treats, water for both of you, and weather-appropriate gear, most classes run rain or shine.
What we tell every new family. Agility is the only sport where your dog can be having the time of their life while you have a small panic on the start line. We coach the handler at least as much as the dog. You will get better at this faster than you expect.
WATCH A RUN
See a Real Dog Work Our Course
Weekend agility on full-spec equipment at our Cave Creek field: jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and contacts. Press play to watch a dog and handler run it.
RELATED PROGRAMS
Agility Pairs Well With
- AKC Canine Good Citizen The recommended prerequisite, solid manners and off-leash focus before the obstacles start.
- Scent Work The other great enrichment sport, low-impact and deeply satisfying for nose-driven dogs.
- Private Lessons One-on-one handling coaching and trial-specific prep on your schedule.
- Group Classes Build the obedience foundation that makes agility faster and safer.
Ready to run a course with your dog?
Talk to our team about the next Foundations cohort, or take the quiz if you want a recommendation first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my dog need to know before joining agility?
Solid sit, down, and recall, plus the ability to focus around other dogs at a distance. We strongly recommend completing AKC Canine Good Citizen prep or equivalent obedience first. If your dog reacts to other dogs in class, address that in a reactivity program before starting agility.
Is my dog the right breed or size?
Almost any healthy dog can do agility. Equipment heights are adjustable for size, and jump heights are set by shoulder height in trials. Heavy breeds and dogs with structural issues should be cleared by a vet for the impact of jumping first.
Are classes on weekdays or weekends?
All agility classes run on weekends. We offer Saturday and Sunday sessions at both Scottsdale and Cave Creek facilities to fit working schedules.
How much does a 6-week block cost, and are siblings or repeat enrollments discounted?
Pricing is set per 6-week block per dog and is posted on the booking page. Call 480-595-6700 for the current rate or to ask about repeat-enrollment incentives. Most families move through Foundations into Intermediate without missing a beat because the dog has flat-out fallen in love with the sport.
Do I need my own equipment to practice at home?
No. Most students don't own equipment and progress just fine with weekly class plus simple flatwork drills at home. We will teach you which ones matter and which ones don't.