Events & Seminars
Fusion Pet Retreat’s training center offers various events and seminars on a regular basis. We are happy to partner with different community organizations to offer various events. We also offer Seminars taught by our qualified instructors in different topics including agility, behavior, and more.
Cancellation Policy for Seminars: All seminars are non-refundable unless we can fill your spot.
Auditing: Auditing is available for all seminars at a cost of $25. You do not need to preregister for auditing. Just show up and pay on the day of the seminar.
All events & seminars are hosted in the comfort of a climate-controlled 11,000 sq. ft. indoor facility.
Upcoming Seminar and Events
Go that Way! Techniques for Turning Your Dog Away on Course
Dates: Saturday, June 20th from 8am-Noon
Cost: $95 – working spot, $25 – auditing spot
Instructor: Beth Hostetter
About the Seminar:
Dogs naturally turn toward the handler — but agility courses don’t always cooperate! Sometimes the smoothest, fastest line requires the dog to turn away from us with confidence and commitment
In this fun and technique-focused seminar, we’ll explore different handling options for turning the dog away from the handler and when to use each one. We’ll work on threadle wraps (flicks), lap turns, tandem turns, double lap turns, and back laps, while learning how each technique affects the dog’s line, angle, and understanding on course.
Expect short sequences, practical repetition, clearer timing, and plenty of “aha!” moments as we build better teamwork and cleaner lines together. Open to levels Open and above.
The Art of the Line: Agility Handling Lines Seminar
Dates: Saturday, June 20th from 1-5pm
Cost: $95 – working spot, $25 – auditing spot
Instructor: Beth Hostetter
About the Seminar:
People see agility courses as a series of obstacles. Dogs see the course in fluid lines flowing between the obstacles. Smooth, connected runs start with great lines! Join us for a fun, hands-on seminar focused on seeing and understanding your dog’s lines (and yours!) on the course.
Handling the course lines makes your runs smoother, faster and more accurate. Off course obstacles become a thing of the past, turns become tighter and times are faster. Plus the dogs think it is more fun!
You’ll come away with new tools to help your dog read your cues more clearly and run with confidence and speed!
Open to levels Open and above.
Mini Seminars with Teri O’Neill
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, June 6-7
Cost: $150 – working spot, $25 – auditing spot
About Teri:
Teri has ranked as one of the best agility competitors in Canada for 30 years. She has represented Canada on all of the world teams – IFCS, EO, AWC, and WAO – with several different breeds and brought home many medals. In addition, she has been the Team Canada coach for 3 years. Teri has trained and owned many breeds, everything from hounds to terriers, and currently herding dogs. Teri’s style is smooth and silent and she easily adapts her methods and experience to all types of handlers and dogs.
Perfecting the Basics:
Front, Rear, & Blind Crosses w/ Teri
Dates: Saturday, June 6th from 9:00am-12:30pm
About the Seminars:
- Are you and your dog bridging the gap between foundations and sequencing obstacles? Or do you want to brush up on your fundamentals? Consider this one!
- Short sequence setups will be presented to focus on perfecting your execution of the foundational side changes – front, blind, and rear crosses. When, where, why to choose one over the other and how to handle them well!
- Only jumps and tunnels will be used in this seminar.
- Great for adolescents or dogs new to agility! Open to all teams who need work on these skills, but minimum dogs should be 10 months of age or older with solid agility foundation skills, or have approval from the host. Dogs do not need to be jumping full height.
Drills for International Skills w/ Teri
Dates: Saturday, June 6th from 1:30-5:00pm
About the Seminars:
- This session will focus on current trending advanced/international level skills, breaking them down into drills to teach them to our dogs and to help us learn how to handle them.
- Drills may include discriminations, layering, verbal commitment, challenging weaves, or whatever Teri sees as “what’s next” in course design, presented in bite sized training pieces.
- Dogs should be 12 months of age or older with a foundation for advanced skills.
International Coursework w/ Teri
Dates: Sunday, June 7th from 9:00am-12:30pm
About the Seminars:
- This seminar will address handling challenges trending in international-style course designs such as verbal skills, how to set and commit dogs to big lines, layering obstacles, discriminations, and working to get ahead and stay ahead.
- Jumps, tunnels, and weave poles will be used in this session. Contact obstacle(s) MAY also be included at the discretion of Teri.
- Dogs should be competing at or have the skills to compete at the UKI Champ/AKC ISC level and handlers should have an interest in training and running FCI/European course trends and skills.
Just Jumps & Tunnels for Novice and Beyond! w/ Teri
Dates: Sunday, June 7th from 1:30-5:00pm
About the Seminars:
- Novice/Intermediate level sequences building up to 15-20 obstacles to piece together skills, practice handling, and build teamwork with your dog.
- Only jumps and tunnels will be used in this seminar.
- Dogs should be 12 months of age or older with solid agility foundation skills, or have approval from the host. Dogs do not need to be jumping full height.
Mini Seminars with Courtney Moore
Dates: Wednesday-Thursday, July 1-2
Cost: $130 – working spot, $25 – auditing spot
About Courtney:
Courtney has been training dogs for over 25 years. She has taught and competed in most dog sports and in addition to being an avid competitor, she is also a well-known and highly respected judge for both AKC and UKI Agility. She has a deep understanding of how dogs and their humans navigate courses, and she can help each team understand the best handling paths for them. As an instructor she is fun and flexible and can teach within any handling system. Courtney has competed with multiple dogs across all organizations, both in the US and Internationally. Courtney and her dog, Butter, have been members of multiple word teams and are the 2024 IFCS World Champions.
Young Dogs
Dates: Wednesday, July 1st from 8am-Noon
About the Seminars:
Calling all agility stars-in-the-making! This seminar will focus on breaking down small sequences for your young dog. This seminar is great for dogs with a basic understanding of foundation skills who are ready to start applying them in sequence. Only jumps and tunnels will be used. Dogs should be 8-15 months old or get prior approval.
Masters Handling
Dates: Wednesday, July 1st from 1-5pm
About the Seminars:
Take your handling skills to the next level and learn how to train the challenges you will see in Premier, USDAA and UKI courses. Weaves and contacts may be used. Dogs should be competing at or above the Excellent level in AKC, Advanced Level in USDAA, or Senior Level in UKI.
Layering
Dates: Thursday, July 2nd from 8am-Noon
About the Seminars:
Today’s courses offer many opportunities for layering. Whether it’s forced by obstacle placement or needed to get ahead, layering is becoming increasingly prevalent in our sport. Join us for this seminar focused on layering in sequence. Courtney will show you effective ways to handle layering in courses. Dogs should be at least 15 months old and able to sequence at least 15 obstacles. Weaves may be used. Difficulty and sequence length can be adapted for each team based on age or skill level.
Discriminations at Speed and Distance
Dates: Thursday, July 2nd from 1-5pm
About the Seminars:
UKI, Premier, and ISC courses are often presenting discriminations at handlers. Challenges such as a backside-tunnel, weave entry, or just simple jump discriminations are common place on courses these days. This seminar will focus on how to handle discriminations on courses. These discriminations will be built into courses to mimic the speed and distance that is required at trials. Weaves and contacts may be used. Dogs should be competing at or above the Excellent level in AKC, Advanced Level in USDAA, or Senior Level in UKI.