Current Agility Seminars:

Winter Wonderland Agility Games & Skills Workshops! – December 2025

Tracy Riley  – 12/20/25

Agility Workshops with Team USA Handler Reese Spindle @ ODTC – December 21, 2025 & January 1, 2026

Distance Agility Seminars with Paula Goss – 1/10 – 1/11-2026

Problem-Solving Agility Seminars with Merritt Speagle – 1/17/2026

Future Agility Seminars:
Christine Tschech ✦ 5/3/26 & 5/10/26
Christine Tschech ✦ 7/25/26 – 7/26/26
Cynthia Hornor ✦ 8/29/26 – 8/30/2026
Sheyla Gutierrez ✦ 9/12/26 – 9/13/2026
Annette Alfonso ✦ 10/10/26 – 10/11/2026
Dudley Shumate ✦ 11/7/26 – 11/8/2026

Winter Wonderland Agility Games & Skills Workshops!
 

Spend some time working on skills or get an introduction to some of the non-standard agility classes throughout the winter break! Please note various days, times, and pricing.

All Workshops open for registration on Monday, November 17 at 8am.

Are You Joking? Nope! It’s an Intro to Gamblers!
Lorinda McKisson • Monday, December 1 • 6:30pm to 8:30pm • Full Arena
Curious about agility strategy games? And what jokers have to do with distance? Gamblers tests your skills in time utilization as well as your ability to direct your dog to successfully complete obstacles at a distance away from you.  Come and learn about the rules of the USDAA Gamblers class and get a chance to try out a novice course on the full field! Limited to 8 students.
Fees: $45 Non-Members, $35 Members / $30 Contributing Members
Click link to register: Intro to Gamblers!

Introducing the Serpentine!
Ken Briefel • Tuesday, December 9 • 6:30pm to 8:30pm • Agility side
A Serpentine is a sequences of 3 obstacles that the dog handles in a wavy, S shaped pattern and which allows the handler to perform a front cross both before and after the middle obstacle. Serpentine handling is a tactic whereby the handler remains on the takeoff side of the first obstacle throughout the sequence.  It requires timing and connection to execute, yet can be faster and easier to perform than utilizing front or blind crosses. This session will only use jumps and tunnels. Working dogs should have a reasonable start line stay, be comfortable and reasonably consistent taking individual obstacles, and willing to come in to the handler’s space. Toy drive is extremely helpful. The goal of this workshop is to introduce the key handling skills needed to quickly and effectively take the dog through various basic Serpentine setups. Limited to 6 students.
Fees: $50 for Members / $75 for Non-Members
Click link to register: Introducing the Serpentine!

Hoops and Barrels Anyone? Intro to NADAC Grounders
Jean Wilkins • Wednesday, December 10 • 6:30pm to 8pm • Agility side
Want to learn about the NADAC Grounders class? Come and play on a NADAC Grounders course!  Learn about barrels, how to circle them and what the “sides” mean.  Introduce your dog to hoops and do ground work to help you with your handling and timing. Grounders is a fun and challenging NADAC class!  Suitable for dogs who have completed AG1 or are able to sequence a few obstacles including tunnels.  Limited to 8 students
Fees: $22.50 Non-Members, $17 Members / $11 Contributing Members
Click link to register: Intro to NADAC Grounders

Cross It Like It’s Hot! 
Reese Spindle • Monday, December 15 • 6:30pm to 8:30pm • Full Arena
Ready to power up your handling game and master those fast lines seen on Jumpers, Steeplechase, and Speedstakes courses? This high-energy workshop is all about speed, flow, and connection – featuring Jumps and Tunnels only in the FULL ARENA! We’ll dig into handling lines, reading motion, and getting exactly where you need to be for those perfectly timed front, rear, or blind crosses. Expect fast, fluid courses designed to challenge your communication, footwork, and timing while keeping your dog’s enthusiasm sky-high. Ideal for teams currently competing at or above Open/Advanced levels, but Novice teams are welcome too! You’ll have the option to break sequences into smaller sections and build confidence step-by-step. Come ready to think fast, move faster, and have a blast sharpening your teamwork! Limited to 6 students.
Fees: $50 for Members / $75 for Non-Members
Click link to register: Cross It Like It’s Hot!

Another Trick in Your Pocket! It’s an Intro to Snooker!
Beth Bond • Monday, December 22 • 6:00pm to 8:00pm • Full Arena
Red jump, a different color jump, and then red again! What??  Snooker is a strategy game patterned after the British billiards game in which you need to pocket a red ball, then a colored ball, then a red, and so on, until all balls are pocketed.  Come and learn about the rules of the USDAA Snooker class and have a go at a novice course on the full field!  Limited to 8 students
Fees: $45 Non-Members, $35 Members / $30 Contributing Members
Click link to register: It’s an Intro to Snooker!

Everything Tunnels!
Terry Herman • Monday, December 29 • 6:00pm to 8:00pm • Full Arena
Can you send your dog to a tunnel from a distance? Can your dog find a tunnel entry from the side or the back? Can your dog go past one end of a tunnel to take the other end further away? Can you get your dog to the tunnel vs. another obstacle when there’s a discrimination? Can your dog turn tight out of a tunnel and come back toward you?  Will your dog turn out of a tunnel when there’s an obstacle straight ahead? Can your dog continue straight forward out of a tunnel even if you’re behind? Can you get your dog to turn to the back out of a tunnel when necessary? This workshop will help give you the tools to train to get a YES answer to all of the above. We’ll deal with ways to train and teach the handling cues necessary to get your dog to enter and exit tunnels correctly. This workshop will use jumps and tunnels only. Dogs should be familiar with straight and curved tunnels of various lengths. Limited to 6 students.
Fees: $50 for members / $75 for non-members
Click link to register: Everything Tunnels!

Payment is due in full at the time of registration. No refunds will be given unless there is a waiting list, or you find a replacement for your slot. A $10 processing fee will be deducted from your refund.

Participants are asked to help reset the training area after the Monday workshops.

Are you interested to learn the games but feel that you and your dog are not yet ready to try the course? Auditing available upon request. Please contact Meredith Wilson for audit details: mhwilson2@gmail.com.

Email workshop questions to Ashley Donaldson at adon1012@icloud.com.

For registration issues, contact Seminar Registrar, Lorinda McKisson at Lmckisson@gmail.com.

All Oriole guidelines are in effect.

• There is a $10 clean-up fee for accidents that occur on the turf
• Only non-crumbly, non-staining dog treats may be used on the field
• Dogs are to be relieved in designated outdoor areas
• Dogs are to be crated when not working

For more policy information, go to https://orioledogclub.org/house-rules/.

Multi-time International Team Member Tracy Riley has been actively involved in the sport of Agility since 2002. She has competed successfully at Regional, National, and International Competitions, earning titles and medals with a variety of dogs.

Tracy’s runs are well known for accuracy, consistency and speed and, as a trainer, her goal is to help her students develop the same skills. She has extensive experience teaching private lessons, classes and seminars locally and nationally. She’s an energetic and enthusiastic instructor used to working with a wide variety of dogs and handlers to help them build the teamwork and skills necessary for success in any agility venue. Tracy uses positive reinforcement, games, and shaping to build winning behaviors in dogs while teaching the handlers the skills needed to be competent, positive and consistent agility partners. Most importantly, she’s committed to keeping it fun for both dogs and handlers.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025 – 8 working slots each, limited auditors
8:30 am-12:00 pm • Novice/Open Sequencing Workshop
Bring your holiday cheer and your four-legged elf. Teams will work on handling skills in sequences using jumps and tunnels. Prerequisites: To participate in this holiday workshop, dogs must be at least 1 year of age and be able to run Novice/Open sequences.

1:00 pm-4:30 pm • Masters Sequencing
Teams will work master’s level sequences with some international holiday spice! Tracy will help handlers to choose and execute the best handling techniques in master plus sequences using tunnels, jumps and weaves. Prerequisites: Dogs must have mastery of all equipment and be competing at the Excellent/Master level.

Cost: Oriole Members – $135 per seminar, Non-members – $145 per seminar
Auditing – Oriole Members – $40 per seminar, Non-members – $45 per seminar

Be sure to enter your correct jump height when registering. If any change before the seminar, contact Lorinda McKisson at lmckisson@gmail.com.

Online registration and payment are required.

Registration opens:

For members:  Tuesday, November 4 at 8am
For non-members:  Wednesday, November 5 at 8am

Click on links below to register:

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025
NOVICE/OPEN SEQUENCING WORKSHOP
AUDIT ONLY – NOVICE/OPEN SEQUENCING WORKSHOP

MASTERS SEQUENCING

AUDIT ONLY – MASTERS HANDLING

Payment is due in full at the time of registration. No refunds will be given unless there is a waiting list, or you find a replacement for your slot. A $10 processing fee will be deducted from your refund.

Location: Oriole Dog Training Club – 9 Azar Court, Halethorpe, MD 21227.

BIS Seminar Policy:
Unless otherwise specified, BIS are allowed in seminars if they wear tight fitting panties. Separate crating spaces can be arranged if necessary. If, in the opinion of the presenter or the club, the presence of the bitch becomes disruptive to the seminar, she may be removed from the building or other appropriate action taken.

For registration issues, contact Seminar Registrar, Lorinda McKisson at Lmckisson@gmail.com.

All Oriole guidelines are in effect.

• There is a $10 clean-up fee for accidents that occur on the turf
• Only non-crumbly, non-staining dog treats may be used on the field
•  Dogs are to be relieved in designated outdoor areas
•  Dogs are to be crated when not working
•  For more policy information, go to https://orioledogclub.org/house-rules/.

All workshop entry fees directly support Reese & Havana’s journey to represent Team USA at the 2026 IFCS World Agility Championships in Valencia, Spain

Reese Spindle has been an active member of Oriole Dog Training Club since 2019 and a contributing member since 2023, serving in roles such as AKC Agility Trial Secretary and, more recently, ODTC’s Excellent/Masters agility instructor. With nearly 30 years of experience training both horses and dogs, Reese brings a lifetime of competitive experience and clear, thoughtful instruction to every team she works with. Reese has trained two agility dogs, one of whom, her miniature poodle – Havana, has earned numerous National and Regional podiums across USDAA, AKC, and UKI events. Havana was only two years old when she was first selected to represent Team USA for the 2024 IFCS World Agility Championships in France, an extraordinary accomplishment for such a young dog. Together, Reese and Havana were again selected for the 2025 and 2026 World Teams. In 2025, they helped deliver Team USA’s highest Team tournament placement with a 6th place finish overall, just points away from the podium, along with several other top individual and team results. Their strategic balance of accuracy and speed has made them a consistently strong team across multiple venues with a variety of challenges. These workshops proudly support Reese and Havana’s upcoming trip to compete for Team USA in Valencia, Spain this April, 2026. The cost of representing the U.S., including international travel, lodging, uniforms, and veterinary requirements, easily reaches $5,000–$6,000+ each year, not including the expense of training and qualifying for the team. Your participation directly helps make this dream possible. And because December 21st happens to be Reese’s 40th birthday, she can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than spending the day doing agility with great people and their amazing dogs! If you also join her on New Year’s Day, you’ll be kicking off 2026 with focus, fun, and faster lines—exactly how an agility-obsessed handler should start the year! ️ Novice/Open Agility: Building Confidence & Flow Sunday, December 21 • 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM • 8 Working Slots This workshop is designed for dogs training or competing at the Novice, Open, or Advanced levels who are ready to strengthen their handling, confidence, and communication using all equipment. We’ll work a combination of short sequences with full-course opportunities to help teams improve clarity, timing, independence, and overall flow. Challenges commonly seen in AKC, USDAA, and CPE courses will be used. Dogs should be familiar with all obstacles, as contacts, jumps, weaves, and tunnels will be used. Held in a fully climate-controlled 100′ x 80′ Sprinturf arena.  Masters Agility Challenges & Efficient Lines Sunday, December 21 • 1:30 PM – 5 PM • 8 Working Slots This workshop is designed for teams working at the Excellent/Masters level who are ready to tackle full Masters-style challenges using all equipment. We’ll run sequences to full courses that incorporate discriminations, distance elements, timely side changes, challenging weave entries and exits, and commitment questions that put your timing and communication to the test. The emphasis will be on reading and shaping your dog’s line, to maximize speed, accuracy, and efficiency throughout the course. Dogs should be proficient on all equipment, as contacts, jumps, weaves, and tunnels will all be included. Held in a fully climate-controlled 100′ x 80′ Sprinturf arena.  Path to Precision: Advanced Jumpers Handling Thursday, January 1 • 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM • 8 Working Slots Take your jumpers strategy to the next level! Designed for teams training or competing at the Excellent/Masters level, this workshop focuses on refining the timing, clarity, and handling choices needed to excel on today’s AKC, USDAA, CPE, and UKI jumpers courses. We’ll look at how subtle shifts in motion and position influence your dog’s line and explore how to choose the most efficient paths and crosses to maximize speed for each team. Handlers will get to fine-tune their dogs’ jump wrap skills by improving the timing and clarity of the information they give, helping dogs turn sooner, tighter, and more intentionally. We’ll also explore ways to use techniques like Jaakko Turns and Reverse Spins to tighten lines and help dogs avoid those classic off-course traps—like the tempting tunnel straight ahead of a jump that needs to be wrapped! You can also expect jump patterns such as double pinwheels and 270s, with an occasional backside or threadle presented for teams looking to build or proof those skills. We’ll work with Jumps, Tunnels, & Weaves in a fully climate-controlled 100′ x 80′ Sprinturf arena.  Building Jump Skills for Emerging Teams Thursday, January 1 • 1:30 PM – 5 PM • 8 Working Slots This workshop focuses on developing the jump skills that help emerging teams grow their confidence, commitment, and communication on course. We’ll work sequences that build independence, strengthen sends, and help teams navigate side changes and turns with clarity, incorporating common jump patterns such as pinwheels, 180s, serpentines, and wraps to reinforce understanding and fluency. Throughout the session, handlers will gain a deeper understanding of how to support their dogs through timely, consistent cues, with each sequence (or course) adjusted to match the experience level of the team. This seminar is ideal for novice/open dogs, young dogs sequencing, or any team looking to reinforce and elevate their jumpers skill set. We’ll work with Jumps and Tunnels Only in a fully climate-controlled 100′ x 80′ Sprinturf arena. Cost: $100 per working slot (max 8 per workshop) and $30 per auditor (max 3 per workshop) Registration opens: For members: Tuesday, December 9 at 8am For non-members: Wednesday, December 10 at 8am How to Register: Registration and payment will be handled through Reese directly on the Google Doc below. Once you have a slot, you may pay using any of the links or methods in the doc. There is a different tab for each seminar date. Click on the Google Doc link below to register: Reese Spindle Seminars Can’t make the seminars and want to help? You can donate to Reese’s GoFundMe on the link below: https://gofund.me/4fa02c9aa To contact Reese with any questions:Text/Call: 443-618-3969 Email: Doc211985@aol.com Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/theresa.spindle.3/ Payment is due in full at the time of registration. No refunds will be given unless there is a waiting list, or you find a replacement for your slot. A $10 processing fee will be deducted from your refund. Location: Oriole Dog Training Club – 9 Azar Court, Halethorpe, MD 21227. BIS Seminar Policy: Unless otherwise specified, BIS are allowed in seminars if they wear tight fitting panties and are not disruptive to the seminar. All Oriole guidelines are in effect. There is a $10 clean-up fee for accidents that occur on the turf. Only non-crumbly, non-staining dog treats may be used on the field. Dogs are to be relieved in designated outdoor areas. Dogs are to be crated when not working. For more policy information, go to https://orioledogclub.org/house-rules/.

Distance Skills Seminars with National Agility Competitor Paula Goss! Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11, 2026Why is distance handling so important? It allows the handler to get ahead and stay ahead of their dog on the course so they can better handle technical challenges. The handler can take a shorter path which is especially an advantage when the dogs speed is faster than that of the handler. Distance handling also allows you and your dog to participate in agility games like FAST, Gamblers, Jackpot, etc. Paula Goss has been involved in competitive agility for 25 years competing at the highest levels in AKC, USDAA, NADAC and UKI. She began with her Labrador Retriever and currently competes with Border Collies. She has been ranked in NADAC’s Top 10 for the past 20 years, earned over 50 NATCHs and MEDALs and 22 Platinum Speed Star awards, as well as the NADAC prestigious MOD SQUAD award. Paula teaches seminars across the US and Canada, as well as being a NADAC clinician and instructor. Paula and Kellan, her border collie, are currently trialing in NADAC, AKC and UKI.  Paula works with each team’s strengths and adds step by step instructions on how to improve. She provides the handler with clear, consistent tools for teaching distance and efficient handling. SATURDAY, 1/10/26 • HELP! I CAN’T GET THERE! Fast Dog, slow handler? Come learn how to handle your dog at a distance. Distance handling isn’t just useful for classes like Gamblers or FAST, it can enable a slow handler to keep a fast dog running at top speed while still getting to where you need to be to handle critical points on a course. Contacts, jumps, and tunnels. Novice/Open Teams • 8:30am-12:00pm Advanced/Masters Teams • 1:00pm-4:30pm SUNDAY, 1/11/26 • WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT ONE? Discriminations at a Distance. So many obstacles, so many choices. How do you cue the right obstacle without having to be right there? How do you tell your dog to take an obstacle away from you with other obstacles in between? Come and learn how to do discrimination challenges while maintaining distance. Contacts, jumps, and tunnels. Novice/Open Teams • 8:30am-12:00pm Advanced/Masters Teams • 1:00pm-4:30pm 8 working slots per seminar, limited auditing, waitlist available.Online registration and payment are required. Cost: Oriole Members – $135 per seminar, Non-members – $145 per seminar Auditing: Oriole Members – $40 per seminar, Non-members – $45 per seminar Registration opens: Members: Monday, December 15 at 8am ✦ Non-Members: Tuesday, December 16 at 8am Click links below to register: SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026 HELP! I CAN’T GET THERE (Novice/Open) AUDIT ONLY – HELP! I CAN’T GET THERE! (Novice/Open) HELP! I CAN’T GET THERE! (Advanced/Master) AUDIT ONLY – HELP! I CAN’T GET THERE! (Advanced/Master) SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2026 WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT ONE? (Novice/Open)AUDIT ONLY – WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT ONE? (Novice/Open) WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT ONE? (Advanced/Master) AUDIT ONLY – WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT ONE? (Advanced/Master) Be sure to enter your correct jump height when registering. If any change, contact Lorinda McKisson. Payment is due in full at the time of registration. No refunds will be given unless there is a waiting list, or you find a replacement for your slot. A $10 processing fee will be deducted from your refund. Location: Oriole Dog Training Club – 9 Azar Court, Halethorpe, MD 21227 BIS Seminar Policy:Unless otherwise specified, BIS are allowed in seminars if they wear tight fitting panties. Separate crating spaces can be arranged if necessary. If, in the opinion of the presenter or the club, the presence of the bitch becomes disruptive to the seminar, she may be removed from the building or other appropriate action taken. E-mail seminar questions to Laurie McClain at lauriemcclain123@gmail.com. For registration issues, contact Seminar Registrar, Lorinda McKisson at Lmckisson@gmail.com. All Oriole guidelines are in effect. There is a $10 clean-up fee for accidents that occur on the turf. Only non-crumbly, non-staining dog treats may be used on the field. Dogs are to be relieved in designated outdoor areas. Dogs are to be crated when not working. For more policy information, go to https://orioledogclub.org/house-rules/.

PROBLEM-SOLVING AGILITY SEMINARS
with MERRITT SPEAGLE
JANUARY 17, 2026

 Merritt has been training dogs since she was 9 years old. She has trained a variety of breeds, from a Shih Tzu to a Golden Retriever, and now owns 6 Border Collies and 1 Papillon. Merritt loves figuring out each dog and trying to bring out the best in them. She loves teaching independent skills to dogs – those lightbulb moments are always the most fun to watch! She has national placements across multiple organizations with past and current dogs, so she has an understanding of both the unique skills required to succeed in the various organizations and the important foundation pieces that apply no matter what “style” of agility you run. She believes that learning never stops, and there is always something we can do to improve our game! Merritt is an agility instructor, the manager of Level Up Dog Sports, as well as a UKI judge.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026 – 8 working slots each, limited auditors
8:30 am-12:00 pm • Problem-Solving for Green/Novice/Young Dogs
Does your dog have a problem going ahead of you to a jump or tunnel? Do you have questions about setting the right line or path for your dog? Does your dog make wide turns or come blasting out of a tunnel and go around the next obstacle?  Are you uncomfortable with front, blind or rear crosses? This workshop will give you a chance to get help with the specific issues you choose. Once you register, we’ll ask you to submit at least 2 problems you’d like to work on, so that Merritt can plan how best to help. Jumps & Tunnels only.

1:00 pm-4:30 pm • Problem-Solving for Excellent/Masters/Senior Dogs
Do pinwheels make you dizzy? Does your dog have trouble driving to a backside approach? Are threadles your nemesis? Will your dog commit to a line when you’re behind? Do you have problems with tunnel entrance discriminations or turns out of tunnels? Do you know how to decide which way to turn your dog when you have a choice of how to wrap a jump?  What specific handling challenges would you like help with? This is your chance to get expert assistance with the issues you choose. Once you register, we’ll ask you to submit at least 2 problems you’d like to work on, so that Merritt can plan how best to help. Jumps & Tunnels only.

Cost: Oriole Members – $135 per seminar, Non-members – $145 per seminar
Auditing – Oriole Members – $40 per seminar, Non-members – $45 per seminar

Online registration and payment are required.

Registration opens:
For members:  Monday, December 22 at 8am
For non-members:  Tuesday, December 23 at 8am

Click on links below to register:

Problem-Solving for Green/Novice/Young Dogs
AUDIT ONLY – Problem-Solving for Green/Novice/Young Dogs

Problem-Solving for Excellent/Masters/Senior Dogs
AUDIT ONLY – Problem-Solving for Excellent/Masters/Senior Dogs

Payment is due in full at the time of registration. No refunds will be given unless there is a waiting list, or you find a replacement for your slot. A $10 processing fee will be deducted from your refund.

Be sure to enter your correct jump height when registering. If any change before the seminar, contact Lorinda McKisson at lmckisson@gmail.com.

Location: Oriole Dog Training Club – 9 Azar Court, Halethorpe, MD 21227.

BIS Seminar Policy:

Unless otherwise specified, BIS are allowed in seminars if they wear tight fitting panties. Separate crating spaces can be arranged if necessary. If, in the opinion of the presenter or the club, the presence of the bitch becomes disruptive to the seminar, she may be removed from the building or other appropriate action taken.

For questions about the seminar, contact Laurie McClain at lauriemcclain123@gmail.com.
For registration issues, contact Seminar Registrar, Lorinda McKisson at Lmckisson@gmail.com.

All Oriole guidelines are in effect.

• There is a $10 clean-up fee for accidents that occur on the turf
• Only non-crumbly, non-staining dog treats may be used on the field
• Dogs are to be relieved in designated outdoor areas
• Dogs are to be crated when not working
• For more policy information, go to https://orioledogclub.org/house-rules/.