Oriole Dog Training Club presents 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
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.
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/.
Why 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.
Oriole Dog Training Club 