Questions? Contact our Seminar Organizers
*Ann Driscoll ann.driscoll@comcast.net
*Chris Frado Wentworth FB Messenger or 603-313-9998 text
| Lo Baker | 2/24 | Skills Seminar | full day | 6 working spots |
| Mary Champagne | 5/27 | Distance Seminar | full day | 8 working spots |
| Doreen Lucius | 6/2 | Turns Seminar | 2 half day sessions | 8 working spots/session x 2 sessions = 16 spots |
| Lynn Smitley | 6/29-30 | Distance Camp | 4 half day sessions | 7 working spots/session x 3 sessions = 21 spots 10 spots for final session |
| Wendy Richmond | 8/3-4 | Gamblers Seminar | 4 half day sessions | 6 working spots/session x 3 sessions = 18 spots 100 runs for final session |
Information for All CATS Seminars
Member Priority Club members enjoy priority registration for Working Spots, as well as discounted pricing. Once registrations are open to the public, anyone can register.
First-Come, First-Served Working spots are on a first-come, first-served basis. Full payment must be included along with a completed registration form. If needed, registrations will be by draw each day.
Seminar Withdrawl, Cancellation & Refund In the event of withdrawal from a seminar, the registered handler may transfer their spot to another team of suitable experience. The handler may contact CATS to see if there is a Wait List. If CATS can fill the spot from the Wait List, the handler will be refunded in full. If the handler locates a replacement team on their own, the two handlers will work out registration fees between themselves. Please alert CATS of the change in handler and dog.
If the seminar is cancelled, CATS will make every effort to post a notification by early morning the day of the seminar. Notification will be posted on Facebook to Canine Agility Training Society. In the event of cancellation, registration fees will be fully refunded.
Reasons for cancellation:
- Weather conditions make travel hazardous.
- Weather conditions make it unsafe for instructor, handlers and dogs to be in the ring.
- Act of God such as these occur:
- Pandemic or unforeseen societal issue preventing people from safely gathering together.
- Contagious virus for dogs or other unforeseen safety issue prevents dogs from safely gathering together or be on the grounds of the Monadnock Humane Society.
CATS Membership Interested in becoming a member of the CATS agility club and enjoying our Club benefits? Here’s the link to our membership information. You may submit a membership application, along with dues, together with your registration for a seminar. Please reach out to a Club member to sponsor your membership application.
Lo Baker SKILLS Seminar
February 24, 2024 – Full Day
Seminar Flyer link
Indoors at MHS Training Center. Snow cancellation policy based on instructor’s commute. Details below.
Registration & Fees
Working Spots SOLD OUT!
Now taking registrations for AUDIT (unlimited, full & half day)
6 Working Spots
° $155 Working Spot for CATS
° $300 Non-Member
Unlimited Audit spots
° Audit $25/$15 CATS Member
° Audit $75/$40 Non-Member
° Pricing shows Full Day/Half Day
° Payment appreciated by Feb. 16
Registration Form link
REGISTRATION CATS Members were given priority registration. Registrations for WAIT LIST & AUDIT are now open to the public.
CANCELLATION POLICY You may transfer your spot to another team of suitable experience. If CATS can fill your spot from the “Wait List”, you will be refunded in full. If the weather isn’t cooperating for our instructor to commute, the seminar will be cancelled and money refunded. Cancellation decision by 5 am morning of Seminar.
Lo Baker instructor
The incomparable Lo Baker has been involved in agility for 34 years. She has been instructing for over 28 years. Her accomplishments include multiple ADCH’s and MACH’s as well being a National Finalist in both AKC and USDAA.
Her students greatly appreciate her keen eye, individualized instruction and her commitment to her own continuing education. Knowing the latest advances in agility and being able to apply them to the specific challenges and strengths of each dog and handler is Lo’s signature quality. She is proud and grateful to see her students thriving and succeeding as they compete locally, nationally, and on the world stage.
Mary Champagne DISTANCE Seminar
May 27, 2024 Memorial Day – Full Day
Seminar Flyer link
Seminar Description
Are dogs getting faster or are we getting slower?
Are you looking for more independent skills for your dog?
Courses these days require more skills and handling at a distance, with more independence.
Learn how to teach independent skills to your dog. And you can teach most skills in a smaller space!
Open to all level. Dogs can be Masters level or simply sequencing jumps and tunnels. Mary works with the team on the course. Something for everyone.
Lots of discussion and Q&A before diving into training.
Schedule
8:30 check-in & settle
9 – 12:30 ish
• Lecture first. It takes about 60-90 minutes depending on what questions arise
• Short break for potty (people and dogs)
• Course walk through and discussion
• Work dogs
• Lunch Break 1 hour (bring your own)
1:30 – 4:30 ish
• Work dogs
4:30 – 5 ish
• Wrap up questions
| NEW PRICES | CATS by check | Non-member by check |
| 8 Working Spots | $200 | $250 |
| Audit full day | $25 | $50 |
| Audit 1/2 day | $15 | $25 |
Registration & Fees
Registration now open to all.
Registration first-come, first-serve. Draw by day if needed.
Registration Form link
8 Working Spots
• $200 Working Spot for CATS
• $250 Non-Member
Unlimited Audit spots
• Audit Full or Half Day $25/$15 CATS Member
• Audit Full or Half Day $50/$25 Non-Member
• Payment appreciated by May 17
CANCELLATION POLICY If the weather isn’t cooperating for a day of working outdoors, the seminar will be cancelled and money refunded. Cancellation decision by Friday 10 am May 24th. Notification by email and Facebook post to Canine Agility Training Society.
● Outdoors @ CATS Ring.
● Seminar designed for any team of any level and venue.
● Skills training, independence, speed.
Mary Champange – Instructor & One Mind Coach
Mary first got involved in agility in 1994 because she thought it “looked fun” and has since trained a variety of dogs of all sizes, breeds, and mixes. She began teaching for a local agility club around 1996 and now runs her own training school, The Agility Facility, in Ledyard, Connecticut.
Mary’s dogs have competed extensively in the Northeast earning the sport’s top titles. They’ve also been semi-finalists and finalists at multiple championship events across the country and ranked in the Agility Top Ten national standings. An advocate of strong foundation training for agility and not rushing her dogs, Mary believes that, “it is a journey from the time dogs begin their puppy fundamentals until they retire.”
Mary is a fun, knowledgable, experienced and very approachable instructor. She enjoys teaching new teams and loves the diversity of dog breeds. Mary takes great joy in seeing teams come together and being able to share in their journeys.
Since 2015, Mary has been following the OneMind Dogs methodology. In her quest for more knowledge Mary’s traveled, with her dogs, to train with different OneMind Dogs coaches; to Finland 4 times, Canada and Florida.
Over the past couple of years, injury has limited Mary’s ability to play the game of agility. She simply can’t run. In response, Mary developed her own approach to training and handling from a distance. She combined techniques from OneMind Dogs with verbal cues, allowing her minimal running.
She has been able to not only run her dogs, but succeed in big national events. At the 2023 UKI U.S. Open, Mary won the Challengers round and secured a spot in Finals. She consistently competes at the AKC’s European Open Team Tryouts just to proof and showcase her distance handling skills. These events are putting out big international-style courses which require dogs and handlers to have amazing skills and the ability to perform at speed.
Doreen Lucius TURNS Seminar
June 2, 2024 2 Half-Day Sessions
Seminar Flyer Link
Outdoors in the CATS ring on the grounds of Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey, NH. In the event of rain, the Seminar will be relocated for the same day to Muddy Paws in Westminster, VT.
Seminar Description & Schedule
Sessions are appropriate for teams of all skill levels. Dogs must be comfortable running short sequences of jumps & tunnels. 8 working spots per session. Lots of time on course being coached by Doreen.
Session A 8:30 – 12:30 Fronts, Rears, Blinds: Which Turn is Best for You and Your Dog
This session will help you when you need to change sides or turn your dog. Every turn has multiple components. Learn how to decide which direction to turn your dog. As well as, when to cue the turn and where you need to be in relationship to your dog to execute the turn.
Session B 1:00 – 5:00 Serpentines, Threadles and Pinwheels
This session will focus primarily on how to handle serps and threadles. To see what each team’s skills are and then build on their successful foundation, the session will start with a review of handling for pinwheels and 180’s. Then quickly move on to the more challenging serpentines and threadles.
Seminar Fees & Registration
Registration
Registration open to CATS Feb. 22
Registration will open to non-Members April 1st.
Registration first-come, first-serve. Draw by day if needed.
8 Working Spots per Half-day Session
$55 CATS Member
$75 Non-Member
Unlimited Audit Spots
$15/Session CATS Member
$25/Session Non-Member
Payment appreciated by May 30th.
Registration Form link
CANCELLATION POLICY: In the case of rain the seminar will relocate for the same date to Muddy Paws Canine Center in Westminster, VT.
Doreen Lucius – instructor
Doreen Lucius is the owner and agility instructor at Muddy Paws Canine Center in Westminster, VT. Her career with agility began in 1999. Not only has Doreen been a competitor and instructor, she’s both a CPE and TeaCup Agility judge. For 40+ years Doreen’s been teaching her students to speak dog. “Talk to the dogs in their language and you’ll get better results. Dogs just want to have FUN.”
Lynn Smitley DISTANCE CAMP
June 29-30 (4 half-day) Sessions
Outdoors in the CATS Ring on the grounds of Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey, NH.
Rain date: July 6-7 (Fourth of July holiday weekend)
Registration & Fees
Registration open to CATS March 1st.
Registration open to All May 1st.
Registration first-come, first-serve. Draw by day if needed.
Registration Form Link
7 Working Spots per Session A,B,C
10 Working Spots per Session D
FREE for CATS
$30 per Session for Non-Member
Unlimited Audit Spots
FREE for CATS
$10 per Session for Non-Member
Camp Description & Schedule
Distance Camp is two full days of progressive skill development. Some exercises may be done by all teams simultaneously; for many activities Lynn will work with one team at a time, while non-working handlers sit inside the ring to observe and learn from coaching discussions. Teams may choose any combination of the 4 sessions. Sessions A and B are for teams with little or no distance training as well as experienced teams that want a refresher. Sessions C and D are for all skill levels – beginner to experienced.
Session A Saturday 9:00 – Noon Distance Basics
The philosophy of distance will be introduced. Teams will practice beginning distance skills and success-promoting practice sequences.
Session B Saturday 1:30 – 4:30 Basics Plus
Teams continue to build the foundation of trust and communication skills essential for working at a distance. Beginning on-course distance challenges may be included. Handlers will be given strategies for continued development that teams can practice on their own.
Session C Sunday 9:00 – Noon Coached On-Course Challenges
One-on-one coaching of on-course distance challenges for teams of all skill levels.
Session D Sunday 1:30 – 4:30 Coached Distance Runs
Bigger distances. Courses will be set with various levels of distance challenges: 50′-70′ for experienced teams, shorter for beginner teams.
Lynn Smitley – instructor
Lynn Smitley began playing agility in 1998 with USDAA. She shifted to NADAC, fell in love with distance and never looked back. Lynn, and her first agility dog, Yola, earned 10 NATCH titles, including 115 successful distance runs. For three years in a row, Lynn, and her second dog, Mia, were ranked in the NADAC Top Ten of all Bonus Qualifiers (U.S. and Australia). Lynn has been a CATS member for 25 years and is a founding member of NAE (Northeast Agility Enthusiasts). For years Lynn’s generously shared her distance-handling know-how with CATS members. Prior to COVID, she independently hosted weekend distance handling camps with attendees from throughout the northeast. Lynn emphasizes these fundamentals of distance handling – a trusting relationship and using what comes naturally to dogs.
Wendy Richmond GAMBLERS Seminar
August 3-4, 2024 (4) Half-day Sessions
Gamblers Seminar Flyer Link not yet
Outdoors in the CATS Ring on the grounds of Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey, NH.
Description
Description & Schedule
3 Sessions with Run Thrus
6 Working Spots/Session
Unlimited Audits
SESSION A Saturday 8:00 – noon Beginner Gamblers
- How to play the game
- Introduction to the skills and handling needed including Lateral Distance, Go Ons, Discriminations and Turns, working towards 10’ of distance between handler and obstacles.
SESSION B Saturday 1:00 – 5:00 Advanced Gamblers Skills and Strategies
- For dogs and handlers familiar with or already competing in gamblers.
- Intermediate work on the skills and handling needed including Lateral Distance, Go Ons, Discriminations and Turns working towards a 15’ distance.
- Strategies when planning your course.
SESSION C Sunday 8:00 – noon Masters Gamblers Skills and Strategies
- For dogs and handlers working at the Masters or Elite level
- Masters level work on the skills and handling needed including Lateral Distance, Go Ons, Discriminations, and Turns at a 20’ distance.
- Strategies when planning your course
SESSION D Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 Gamblers Run Thrus
- Appropriate for all levels. Multiple choice of Gambles. Runs timed.
- Coaching by Wendy available.
- Run thrus will not be held if there is inclement weather.
- Limit of 100 runs.
- Advanced signups are required for run thrus.
- Day of signups will be available only if there are runs available.
Registration & Fees
Registration Opens to CATS June 1st.
Registration Opens to All July 1st.
Registration first-come, first-serve. Draw by day if needed.
Registration Form Link
| CATS by check | Non-member by check | |
| 6 Working Spots/Session | $50 | $70 |
| Audit full day | $15 | $25 |
| Audit 1/2 day | $10 | $20 |
Wendy Richmond – instructor
Wendy is well known in the New England USDAA and ASCA agility scene for her breathtaking Gamblers performances with her beloved red merle Australian Shepherd, Oz. In 2015 Wendy and Oz won the ASCA Gamblers Finals at Nationals in Tennessee, and Oz has qualified for the finals each year from ages 2 through 9. He is past ATCH15 in ASCA Gamblers, has his USDAA LAA Bronze and Gold in Gamblers and is in the Masters level in AKC FAST. Wendy has taught agility classes in CT and she has a lot of experience to share.
Seminar Committee Notes – for reference – Applies to all Seminars
Seminar Leader & Ring Manager from CATS are on-site during the entire seminar and do not pay for being there that day. Plus they each earn a FREE Audit for a future seminar.
Map of CATS Outdoor Ring
Map of MHS Training Center
Inventory of MHS Agility Equipment
Canine Agility Training Society 
