About Debbie

Experience
Debbie has been involved with dogs since the early 1980's, training and competing first in obedience and then discovering agility in 1989 and becoming addicted to this new sport. In 1996, Debbie opened her own agility school, PAWSitive Agility Working School (PAWS), where she has established a notably successful training program that has enabled her students to enhance their bond with their dogs while enjoying the challenges of training and competing in the exciting sport of dog agility.

Training
Debbie has attended numerous agility seminars over the years, learning from nationally-known competitors such as Sharon Nelson, Katherine Leggett, Nancy Gyes, Dave Blackshaw, Stuart Mah, Stacy Peardot-Goudy, Susan Garrett, and Greg Derrett. After attending two of his seminars a few years ago, Debbie adopted Greg Derrett's “System of Handling” (described in a series of articles in Clean Run Magazine in 2003), returning to her agility training school and re-teaching most of the handling and training techniques that were being used at the time. Greg's system is quite simple, and the results have been extremely successful. Debbie continues to attend Greg's seminars when he's in the U.S., and she enjoys sharing what she learns with other agility enthusiasts.

Agility Success
Debbie's own dogs include two Border Collies and two Shelties. In addition to a USDAA Bronze ADCH, NADAC Superior NATCH, and AKC MACH, Tristan held the Clean Run Ultimate Weave Pole Challenge record from June 2003 to August 2004, completing 60 weave poles in 12.77 seconds (see his record-breaking run). Tristan won the USDAA Veterans Grand Prix in 2003 and took 2nd Place his first time at NADAC Nationals the same year.

In 1999, Debbie acquired Boomer, a 2 1/2 year old Sheltie and immediately started his qgility training. Boomer retired in 2006 after earning his USDAA ADCH, AKC MACH, and NADAC NATCH. Twice during his agility career, Boomer experienced serious shut-downs which Debbie worked through with great success.

As a 13-week-old pup being fostered with Border Collie Rescue of Texas, Senna came to live with Debbie in early 2003. Competing at the highest levels of agility competition, Senna has earned his USDAA ADCH and AKC MACH.

Cameron, a Sheltie acquired from one of her students in 2004 at the age of 3 1/2, suffered from major fear issues that had to be overcome. Cameron is now successfully competing in agility competition and has earned both his USDAA ADCH and AKC MACH titles.

About Debbie's Seminars

Seminars can be tailored to your group's needs, from teaching individual obstacles to advanced handling skills. For example:

Beginners:

• Solid contacts.
• Start-line stays.
• Getting a fast table performance.
• Fast weaves with proper footwork.
• Front crosses.
• Rear crosses.
• Sequencing.
• Body language.

Intermediate Handling Skills (for actively competing teams that are proficient on all agility obstacles)

• Box work for learning about straight lines & turns and how & when to front or rear cross.
• Finding the most efficient path for your dog.
• Obstacle discrimination.
• Lead-outs.

Advanced Handling Skills (for teams proficient on all agility obstacles and competing at the top levels of AKC, USDAA, or NADAC)

• Finding and working the dog's line.
• Straight lines vs. turns.
• How and when to do front & rear crosses.
• Lead-out pivots.
• Serpentines and threadles.
• 270's.
• Obstacle discrimination.

For more information about hosting a Debbie Spence Seminar, contact her at Debbie@pawsagility.com.

Comments from Seminar Participants

Just a quick note to say thanks for the seminar in OKC.  I love taking classes with you and always come away learning. . .that my dog is smarter than me. . .and I am a big goober.  I now know I can do things with Storm that I didn't think I could and, for that, I thank you.
- Toni & Storm
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Thank you so much for inviting me to this seminar.  I enjoyed watching everyone work through the sequences and improve as the day progressed.  I appreciate how you wanted everyone to be successful in their understanding and practice of these techniques, and your patience, time, and attention given to each team.  Even if someone did not have a problem with a given exercise, they were able to learn from issues worked through by another team. Thanks again!
- Cathy & Caney
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I really enjoyed your seminar.  It was my first ever, and I didn't quite know what to expect.  I learned quite a bit, and it was very interesting watching my dog run with you – I was able to see what he is capable of doing with a good handler.  I also appreciated your help in a non-condescending way.  The day went by so fast – time certainly flies when you're having fun!! – and we did!!

Thanks again for a great seminar and a wonderful first-time experience.  I look forward to hopefully attending more of your seminars in the future.
- Debi & Robbie
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Thank you so much for having us!  I really appreciate you taking the time to teach this seminar.  Rusty & I learned so much.  And you helped me restore a great deal of my self-confidence when it comes to handling my dog.  I can't wait to try some of the things we learned at the next trial. 

If you have another seminar, count us in! Thanks again.
- Renate & Rusty
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What a great seminar!  You are so knowledgeable and such a good people person as well!  Your demonstrations were excellent, instructions clear, and the course setup quick.  You had good courses set up to illustrate your points and to help us experience the handling as well.

I got up this morning, skipped my gym session, took two Tylenol, and slept in a bit later!  I'm still stiff!
- Diane & Cayenne
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Thanks for coming up for the seminar!  I know I had a great time, and I'm sure everyone else did, too.  Almost everyone thanked me and told me how much they learned and what a good time they had.  Several of my club members (who have questioned my sanity about driving three hours for lessons with you) told me they understand now why I do it!

Everyone was very, very impressed with you, not just with how well your own dogs were trained, but your knack for observing handler errors and weaknesses and offering solutions in such a positive way they felt confident in trying the new techniques and empowered and amazed at how successfully it worked.

Practically everyone asked me when we could do this again!  Thanks again.  You are a wonderful teacher & friend.
- Nancy & Nanook, Faith & Scooter
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I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your seminar. I learned a lot; now I have to try to incoproate it into our runs. At a trial last weekend, I actually managed to get in some front crosses, and I was successful! I was also conscious of "flicking", and I don't think I did any!

I look forward to seeing you again soon.
- Cindy & Lacy
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I really enjoyed your seminar. I went to St. Louis this weekend and ran silently. I'll admit (so Sharon doesn't tattle on me) that I did whisper "teeter" once. But I came home with 4 ribbons - more than Tony and I have brought home for a long time. I also really noticed people just jabbering away out there.

Over all, I think the seminar was a BIG help. I can't wait to take the advanced seminar. Please keep me on your mailing list.
- Mikel & Tony
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I really do enjoy your seminars - even though you work our buns off (which is really a good thing)! You are such a wonderful, positive, and "human" instructor. I really like the way you make sure we are successful, too. Thanks again for spending your time and talent with us and sharing your knowledge and skills!
- Debi & Robbie
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Your seminars are the BEST as far as I'm concerned. I'd recommend them to anyone! You are so awesome in your handling! Where is your CD?
- Diane & Cayenne
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