Rachel Downs Seminar

In this agility focused but primarily skills based seminar, Rachel Downs of Strategic Dog Sports will teach sport dog teams to improve their skill fluency and handling. With sessions for both new dog/handler teams and experienced competitors, this seminar is one you'll certainly learn from. 

Rachel has been a dog trainer from a young age and has been heavily involved in conformation, obedience, agility and behavioral work. Her love for science and her consideration for the feelings of the dogs she works with has continued to motivate Rachel to seek out new and progressive training methods to apply to her agility training. It is this zeal for learning that Rachel attributes to her success with a wide variety of breeds she has personally trained, including Beagles, Belgian Sheepdogs, Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, Chihuahuas, and Belgian Malinios, as well as her ability to help students  and their dogs with issues from behavioral to elite performance.

Rachel's agility accolades include many National placements and being a member of both IFCS and WAO teams for the USA. 

Topics include: 

Saturday 9am - 5pm: Fluency with the 3 D's

This 7 hour workshop is all about training! It will focus on how to apply the 3 Ds of training (Distance, Duration/Commitment, Distraction/Motion) into each interval of progression when training obstacles and behaviors. While focusing on these concepts from the beginning, we can break things down even further for the dog and help their understanding and fluency in their performance.  

This workshop will include 8 working spots and unlimited audit spots. The day will run from 9:00am  - 12:30pm, break for an hour lunch and then continue from 1:30pm - 5pm. Lunch is included. 

Sunday 9am - 1pm: Building Focus & Confidence

This 4-hour workshop will help you create focus and confidence in your agility dog. Whether you are new to agility or a seasoned competitor that’s struggling with a distracted or stressed dog, Rachel will help you find workable strategies to increase your dog’s confidence and desire to work with you. 

Working spots limited to 6. Auditing unlimited.

Sunday 2pm - 6pm: Novice Dog Sequencing

This 4-hour workshop is for novice dogs and/or handler teams looking for short sequences, primarily focused on jumps and tunnels. Rachel will provide appropriate novice level challenges that will build confidence in your teamwork. 

Dogs must be at least 14 months old to participate. Working spots limited to 6. Auditing unlimited.