FOLLOW THE LEDA

Follow the Leda offers a variety of agility training options including Group Classes, Private Lessons, Online Lessons, Workshops, Seminars, and Ring Rentals. They also provide Foundation Training and host special events like “Puppy Palooza” and “NEW SEMINARS” with guest trainers.

Currently, all classes are full, and prospective students are encouraged to join a waitlist, which can be very long, potentially resulting in several months to over a year for class placement. Puppy Palooza is a two-day seminar for puppies aged 12 weeks to 12 months, where puppies are divided into age-appropriate groups and rotate working with Tara, Kara, and training assistants.

Pricing Summary

Tuition for a “WORKING SPOT” at Puppy Palooza is $405 for both days, including lunch, snacks, beverages, and goodie bags. An “AUDIT SPOT” costs $75 for one day or $100 for both, also including lunch, snacks, and beverages.

For private lessons, a ring rental fee of $30 is incurred if a lesson is canceled more than 24 hours in advance and cannot be filled by another student. Full payment of $80 is required for cancellations within 24 hours or for “no call-no shows” before another lesson can be scheduled. Payments are accepted via tuition checks, PayPal, and Venmo. A $10 fine is issued for any dog soiling on the artificial turf.

Policies

All students must review and agree to school policies, including a liability waiver, before participating. Group class spaces are reserved upon receipt of a completed enrollment form, online COVID-19 Policy agreement, and full tuition payment. Refunds for group classes are considered before the start date if the space can be filled; no refunds are given once class has started unless the space is filled.

Reactive or aggressive dogs are strictly prohibited from group classes, with no refunds issued if a dog exhibits such behavior. If a class is canceled by Follow the Leda due to weather, instructor illness, or acts of God, no refunds are given, but students continuing to the next session receive a credit. Missed classes by students are not eligible for credits or refunds, though make-up opportunities may be offered as a courtesy at the instructor’s discretion.

For private lessons, a cancellation more than 24 hours in advance requires a $30 ring rental fee if the spot isn’t filled, or the student can send someone else. Cancellations within 24 hours or “no call-no shows” require full payment ($80) before rescheduling. Dogs must be leashed on the property unless working in the arena, and potty breaks should occur in designated outdoor areas with cleanup.

A strict “NO POTTY IN THE RING” rule is enforced, with a $10 fine for accidents. Dogs that frequently soil may require a diaper or belly band. Bitches in season are permitted but must wear a diaper. Only clean, dry footwear (no cleats or rough bottoms) is allowed on the turf. Flexi leashes, prong, hidden prong, choke chains, and shock collars are prohibited. Dogs must run agility in a regular flat buckle collar. Excessive barkers must crate in their vehicle. Visitors are welcome by appointment only and must be human only.

Follow the Leda specializes exclusively in dog agility training, led by Tara Baggerman, who has over 25 years of experience. The business aims to provide a fun outlet for family pets and guide performance dogs to advanced competition levels, catering to pure and mixed-breed dogs of all sizes.

The training philosophy at Follow the Leda is strictly positive reinforcement, with a “zero forcing” approach. Aversive tools and methods, including prong, choke, and shock collars, are not permitted on school grounds.

The facility boasts a 100×56 feet artificial turf arena with over 800 lbs of rubber fill for a plush surface. All agility equipment is competition quality from brands like MAX200, Galican, Doggy Jumps, and Clip-N-Go, and undergoes weekly safety inspections. Follow the Leda is located adjacent to The Wuffdorf Astoria, which offers dog grooming, boarding, and daycare services.

Accomplishments

Tara Baggerman has over 25 years of experience training and running her own agility dogs. She is also a judge for UK Agility International.

Tara and her dogs have won multiple national agility championships across the USA and Canada. Notable wins include Tara & Aero as 2024 UKI US OPEN SPEEDSTAKES National Champions, and Hera & Tara as 2023 UKI CANADA OPEN National Champions (their third win, also in 2019 & 2022). Hera and Tara also won an invite to The 1-TDC UKI North American Invitational by winning the Overall Biathlon, Overall Master Series, and the National Final.

Tara’s young dog, Deo, won the Speedsteaks Reserve National Championship in his first national event. In 2022, Tara won the UKI National Championship Final with both Aero and Hera. In 2021, Tara & Helo won the UKI National Championship Final and the AKC Northeast Agility Championship, with Tara & Hera taking 2nd place in the latter.

How to Get Started!

To get started, prospective students should fill out the online form to be added to the class waitlist, as all classes are currently full. The waitlist is noted to be very long, with potential waiting times of several months to over a year for class placement.

For questions, email FTLagility@gmail.com, as Follow the Leda does not make phone calls. If you wish to speak with someone, you must schedule a private lesson. Visitors interested in observing a class must also schedule an appointment via email, and dogs are not permitted during observations.