AgilityTraining (All around the Big Island)

gility instruction is a critical part of learning agility for you and your dog. It is important for you to choose the right instructor, for the right level of skill, at a convenient location near you. Big Island Agility instructors work in conjunction with Paws University, and provide a broad range of levels for training. This page starts with the Weekly Agility Class Schedule at Paws University.

There are many other outstanding instructors across the island. On this page you will find lots of information on these instructors, their locations, and how to contact them. Please come back and review this page often! Agility on the Big Island is growing rapidly, and so are the training opportunities available to you.

LINK to: IN DEPTH with Big Island agility instructors
LINK to: OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES around the island 

Weekly Agility Classes At Paws University:

Paws University offers a broad range of agility classes, including Foundation, Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. Classes at Paws are based on the most advanced training strategies in the world, constantly updated with seminars from many professional trainers, among whom are national and international champions.

Please contact Carrie Pilapil to sign up for Paws agility classes at
pawsuniversity@hawaii.rr.com

-TOP-

 OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES around the Island 
There are many talented instructors across the Big Island. Here is a list of who they are and where they are. There is much more information about them in the In Depth section, below.

Agility Instructors and Competitors

Need specific training for you and your dog? Want to get more personal training?
Can’t make it to regular classes? Live too far away from Paws to come weekly?  
Help is here! Customized classes may be arranged around the west side.

Contact:
Lani lanishappyathome@hotmail.com  
756-3250

Hayden  slayfoot@gmail.com    
325-6529



Far-Flung Agility Training
Toni Barnhart, Tobi Feves Michele Mcdonald and Karen Lukea
Agility Instructors and Competitors
Training sites: Papaikou, Hilo & HPP

Classes offered for all levels of experience in Papa'ikou (Hilo).
HPP site offers foundation and beginning agility classes.

Contact:
www.far-flungagility.com 
tonibarnhart@mac.com
756-0519

Angelic Ebbers 
AAC and CKC Judge, Agility Instructor and Competitor. 
Training site:  Hawaiian Acres,  Mountain View.
Classes offered for all levels of experience.

Contact:
http://angelic.kukinidogagility.com

dogagility@hawaii.rr.com 
968-1390

PAWS University 
Cindy Fields and Hayden Stephens,
Agility Instructors and Competitors
Training site: Paws University, Kona
Classes offered at all levels of experience. 

Contact:
www.pawsuniversity.com
pawsuniversity@hawaii.rr.com 

Paws Up Hawaii

-TOP-

 IN DEPTH with the instructors on the Big Island

NOTE: All instructors on the Big Island are encouraged to provide information in this space about them for this column, to give agility participants information about Big Island agility trainers, including their background, training philosophy, etc.

  Toni Barnhart became involved in the sport of Dog Agility in 2000 in California. She is a founding member, and current President of the Orchid Isle Dog Agility Club. She teaches Agility in Papa'ikou through her business: Far-Flung Agility. Classes are small, and all aspects of agility training are covered in class. As handlers advance, we give you and your dog a solid familiarization with equipment. As you progress, we work on handling skills, distance work, and handling strategies for competition, including games strategies and rules for competition in various organizations. Far-Flung students compete in NADAC, CPE and AKC Agility statewide and classes are tailored to fit our students' needs. We emphasize positive training, and having fun with your dog(s). We also stress the need for strong foundation skills.

 Angelic Ebbers is an experienced instructor and judge, and has a large training facility in Hawaiian Acres. She has been teaching on the Big Island since 2004, including conducting seminars across the island. She loves agility and it shows in the many titles she has put on her dogs, not the least of which are Zorro AAC Gold award (9th awarded), and Peppy ATChC.  She teaches classes for all levels in Mountain View. Her experience has made her a excellent instructor for all venues.  Angelic is a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and a Software Engineer at the Gemini Observatory.  

 Cindy Field is a founding member of BIA and has been an instructor at PAWS since 2004.  She had previous experience, as did Tammy, in training dolphins.  She has Elite titles in NADAC, and many CPE titles on her dogs Laka and Moki.  Laka is a 20” dog and Moki is a 4” dog which gives her a tremendous amount of knowledge about how to train different dogs in different ways.

 Lani Shackelton has been an instructor since 2007.  She has put elite titles in NADAC, and many CPE titles on her dog Molly, an enthusiastic and amazing Jack Russel/Chihuahua Mix, and has been ‘High in Trial’ many times. She is now working with a VERY fast Border Collie, Hapa, that she is having a wonderful time training.  Lani became an instructor as she discovered her true passion for dogs and agility.  She was mentored by Gale Sansone, K9 Mama, who taught her the skills and communication you need to learn how to truly "dance with your dog".  She also trained with and learned from Jim Collins, Elena Arnold, and Cindy Field.  Lani attends seminars, offered island wide, so she can learn from the top professional trainers and continuously reads and watches dvds to further her knowledge.  Lani grew up around animals, showing horses and showing dogs in conformation and obedience.  Her philosophy in dog training is to build a solid foundation by learning how to play interactively with your dog(s) to further your bond and communication and become a team in agility. It is all about FUN!!

 Hayden Stephens is our newest instructor of 3 years and he also has many titles on his Border Collie mix, UiUi.  He has a new Border Collie, Rio, who is fast and accurate (a combination hard to find) and really enjoys training him.  Hayden says “I worked with Gale, Cindy and Lani and then on my own. I was influenced mostly by Gale and Jim. I also studied from everyone else available. I've been in Cindy's classes and Elena’s. From everyone I've learned something valuable. I've taken many, many seminars and watched quite a few dvd's as well as read lots of books and articles about Agility and related topics. I've drawn extensively from previous experience in other areas and am interested in sports physiology and psychology and how it relates to Agility.” Hayden loves helping other people find out how much fun doing agility with your dog can be.