Registration Phases:

  1. Thursday, July 30 at 5:00 PM MDT - Pre-registration for current students of Free Spirit Dogs or Paula Collins

  2. Friday, July 31 at 10:00 AM MDT - Registration opens to the Early Access List

  3. As of September 3 there are only two working spots still available in camp

Registration Form

You've probably felt it.

You watch experienced handlers walk a course and wonder what they're seeing that you aren't. They make decisions quickly.

You watch their run - their dogs seem to understand exactly where they're going.

Their runs look smooth. Efficient. Intentional.

But when you’re out there, it feels like there must be a secret agility manual out there somewhere. It’s hidden in a vault, and somehow everyone but you got the combination.

Here’s the truth:

There is no secret manual.

But there are principles.

The handlers who consistently produce clean, confident runs aren't relying on tricks or luck. They understand how dogs read motion, commitment, pressure, lines, and information.

Once those principles click, the sport starts to make sense - and feel a whole lot smoother.

The Vault is a weekend designed to unlock that understanding.

This isn't a camp built around memorizing handling systems or collecting drills you'll forget in a month. Or being told to run faster. It's about changing the way you see agility.


One of the biggest misconceptions in agility is that bigger, cleaner runs require more and more skills. In reality, most teams already have the pieces they need. The Vault is about helping you understand how those pieces work together, so you can get more from the training you've already done.

Throughout the weekend, we'll break down why dogs choose the lines they do, how your movement influences every decision they make, and how small changes in timing and position can completely change a run.

You'll leave with practical skills you can use immediately and, more importantly, a framework you can apply to every course you walk in the future.

What You’ll Leave With:

You’re used to signing up for seminars that focus on a specific skill or challenge - international coursework, gamble strategy, contacts, weaves, or mastering a particular handling maneuver.

The Vault is different.

Rather than teaching what to do in one specific situation, we'll teach you why things happen on course and how to apply those principles to every run, regardless of the course design.

Most agility problems aren't actually about the obstacle.

They're about understanding what your dog is seeing, what information they're using, and why they're making the choices they do.

At The Vault, we'll explore and apply concepts that apply to every course you run, including:

  • How to take a course map and understand how to put a run together

  • Why dogs commit to obstacles (and when they don't)

  • How your motion influences your dog's line

  • Why cues succeed in one situation and fail in another

  • How timing changes everything - and how there are actual formulas for what that timing should be for your dog

  • Extension vs. collection and how to recognize which your dog needs

  • Reading your dog's path before mistakes happen

  • Understanding when handling solves a problem - and when training does

  • Seeing the course from your dog's perspective

  • Breaking down runs to identify the real cause of errors

  • Building handling decisions from principles instead of memorization

You'll leave with a framework that helps you answer questions like:

  • "Why didn't that front cross work?"

  • "Why did my dog take the wrong obstacle?"

  • "Why didn't my verbal cue work?"

  • "Was my dog really being naughty, or did I create that picture?"

  • "Why does this sequence feel easy one day and impossible the next?"

Instead of leaving with a handful of new handling tricks, you'll leave with a way of thinking that will improve every run for years to come.

Is The Vault for you?

The Vault is designed for agility competitors who are actively trialling - or working toward putting longer sequences together - and want to move from simply getting around the course to handling with confidence and purpose.

Whether you're campaigning a seasoned trial dog or bringing along a young dog that's confidently sequencing jumps and tunnels, The Vault is built around developing your understanding of the sport. Your dog doesn't need finished contacts or weaves to benefit from the weekend.

You don't need to be chasing national teams or international finals. You simply need to be curious, open to learning, and ready to geek out over understand agility at a deeper level.

We also believe great coaching should be accessible. Handlers of all mobility levels are welcome, and our focus is on helping you become a more thoughtful, effective handler - not on how fast you can run.

Meet Your Instructors

We're incredibly pumped about what we've built and we’re busting at the seams trying to contain our enthusiasm about having you here! The concepts we're bringing to The Vault are things we've been wanting to share for a long time, and we can't wait to dig into them with you.

Hannah Hache

For nearly 20 years, Hannah has been passionate about helping teams discover what's possible together. Whether your goals involve developing smoother, more intuitive handling or mastering extreme distance skills and crazy independence, she's all in on helping you get there.

She believes the best agility happens when both dogs and handlers have clarity. Known for breaking big concepts into simple, practical training, Hannah loves helping teams build confidence, independence, and a deeper understanding of the game - all while reminding handlers to enjoy the process along the way.

Hannah lives for those "ah-ha!" moments - both human and canine. Her ultimate goal is for you to leave a session thinking, "OMG! That makes so much sense!"

Lindsey Parkin

Lindsey is the coach who gets excited about the "why." She loves getting nerdy about agility, then translating those ideas into practical tools handlers can actually use.

She's known for making complicated concepts click, often with an impromptu PowerPoint, a homemade model, an animation, or whatever else she dreams up to explain what she's seeing.

If you've ever wondered why your dog blew a cue, missed a jump, broke commitment, took a wild off-course, or made a decision that seemed to come out of nowhere, Lindsey is probably just as excited to figure it out as you are.

Paula Collins

Paula has spent more than 25 years helping handlers understand dogs, movement, and learning. A Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), FitPaws Master Trainer, and internationally accredited agility judge, she's known for breaking complex concepts into clear, practical lessons that handlers can immediately apply.

As a longtime competitor, coach, and judge, Paula offers a unique perspective on course design, handling decisions, and the details that separate good runs from great ones. Known for her infectious enthusiasm and positive coaching style, she's every handler's biggest cheerleader - celebrating successes while helping teams confidently work through challenges.

What Makes The Vault Different?

We’ve brought together three expert coaches to give you the broadest learning experience possible.

You'll work with a different coach each day. By the end of the weekend, every participant will have trained with all three coaches, giving you different perspectives while reinforcing the same core principles.

Small Groups. Big Learning.

Participants are placed into small training groups of just five handler/dog teams.

That's it—only five dogs.

Smaller groups mean:

  • More individual coaching and feedback

  • More opportunities to ask questions

  • More repetitions and discussion

  • Less waiting between turns

  • More time learning from every dog in your group

You'll also have the option to request your training partners or friends when registering. Many handlers enjoy learning alongside the people they regularly train and trial with, and we'll do our best to accommodate those requests.

Four Hours of Purposeful Instruction Each Day

Every day is intentionally structured to maximize learning - not just time on course.

We believe some of the biggest breakthroughs happen when you're not holding your leash. By separating learning from application, you'll spend less time guessing during your turns and more time understanding what your dog is seeing - and why.

In small groups of five, you will:

Learn

Build your understanding through discussions, demonstrations, video analysis, and course breakdowns before stepping into the ring.

1 Hour (without your dog)

Apply

Immediately put those concepts into practice through thoughtfully designed exercises, with individualized coaching in your small group of five teams.

2 Hours (with your dog)

Review

1 Hour (without your dog)

Break down video from your training sessions, ask questions, discuss what you saw, and leave with a deeper understanding of what to continue working on.

Audit

Unlimited

Take in other sessions throughout the day to maximize your understanding and see the concepts applied through a new lens.

What’s Included

Thursday night welcome pizza party with coaches panel discussion

1

Three days of intensives with three expert coaches

2

Camp t-shirts (obvs!)

3

Safe, supportive learning environment

4

Small groups of five teams per session

5

Daily pre-learning sessions to maximize results with your dog

6

Daily post-session personalized video and session review

7

Unlimited auditing

8

Friend requests - get paired up with your friends and training buddies

9

Custom camp notebook and take-home training notes

10

Indoor, climate-controlled facility with new Galican equipment on matting

11

Schedule Overview

Thursday | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Welcome Pizza Party

Friday - Sunday | 4-Hour Session Each Day
Instead of trying to fit around a different schedule every day, you'll stay in one consistent learning block while the coaches rotate to you. Each day, you will have your full four hours with a different coach, split into:

  • 1 hour of classroom learning to learn the concepts

  • 2 hours of hands-on coaching working dogs and applying the concepts

  • 1 hour of video review, discussion, and Q&A to solidify your understanding of the concepts

Eg. Group A (exact days with coaches subject to change - intended as an example of rotations):

  • Friday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Classroom session with Hannah, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Working session with Hannah, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Review session with Hannah

  • Saturday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Classroom session with Paula, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Working session with Paula, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Review session with Paula

  • Sunday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Classroom session with Lindsey, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Working session with Lindsey, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Review session with Lindsey


Choose your preferred session time during registration. Preferences are assigned in the order registrations are received.

Registering multiple dogs? You will have the choice to have them in the same group or work them in separate groups.

Pricing

  • $650 + GST

    Work directly with all three coaches throughout the weekend in a small group of just five teams. Apply new concepts with your dog, receive individualized feedback, and deepen your understanding through video review, discussions, and classroom learning.

  • Two payments of $325 + GST
    Three payments of $216.67 + GST

    Enjoy the full Working Spot experience while spreading the cost over two or three payments.

    Specific payment plan dates can be found on the registration form.

  • $250 + GST

    The Vault isn't just about running dogs - it's about understanding agility. Auditors have full access to every learning session, demonstration, discussion, and coaching opportunity throughout the weekend.

Making The Vault Accessible

We believe great coaching should be accessible.

If the cost of attending is a barrier, you're welcome to apply for The Vault Accessibility Scholarship, which provides a $100 tuition reduction toward a working spot to help make the weekend more attainable.

Applications are simple, confidential, and reviewed with the goal of helping as many handlers as possible participate.

Applications close on Tuesday, July 28 at midnight.

Apply for a Scholarship

Registration

Registration Phases:

  1. Thursday, July 30 at 5:00 PM MDT - Pre-registration for current students of Free Spirit Dogs or Paula Collins

  2. Friday, July 31 at 10:00 AM MDT - Registration opens to the Early Access List

  3. As of September 3 there are only two working spots available in camp.

Registration Form

Your Questions, Answered

  • Because so many handlers feel like everyone else received the secret handbook to agility and they somehow missed it.

    The truth is that there isn't a secret.

    There is understanding.

    Our goal is to help you unlock a new way of thinking about agility so you leave with tools you can apply long after the weekend is over.

  • Understanding comes before execution.

    Our dog-free sessions are where we explore the principles behind agility using discussion, demonstrations, video analysis, and practical models. Then, when it's time to work your dog, you're applying ideas you already understand and not trying to learn them while running a course.

    After each working session, we'll come back together for a dedicated review hour to answer questions, watch video, discuss what we observed, and explore how those lessons apply beyond a single sequence. This gives everyone time to reflect, connect the dots, and ensures your time on the floor is as valuable and purposeful as possible.

    It's one of the biggest differences between The Vault and a traditional seminar. Rather than simply giving you more repetitions, we create space to think, discuss, and truly understand what you're seeing so that the learning lasts long after the weekend is over.

  • The Vault is designed for handlers who are actively trialling or working toward their first trial. If your dog is confidently sequencing jumps and tunnels, you'll be able to apply the concepts we teach, even if contacts or weaves are still a work in progress.

  • Possibly. We welcome teams whose dogs can be safely and comfortably managed throughout the weekend. Working dogs will only be on the floor one at a time.

    Because participant and dog safety is our highest priority, The Vault is not an appropriate environment for dogs that present any risk to another dog or person if management were to fail. If you have any questions about whether your dog is a good fit, please contact us before registering. We're happy to discuss your individual situation.

  • Just one dog will be in the ring at a time. All other dogs outside of the ring are expected to be on-leash or crated quietly when not in the ring.

  • Absolutely. Many of the concepts we teach are easiest to develop early in a dog's agility career. As long as your dog is confidently sequencing jumps and tunnels, they'll benefit from the weekend.

  • Handlers of all mobility levels are welcome. The Vault is about understanding how dogs read information and make decisions, not about how fast you can run. Our coaches embrace the opportunities for variations in handling options.

  • No. While you'll absolutely work on handling skills throughout the weekend, our focus is on understanding why dogs make the choices they do, then choosing when and how to apply handling. The concepts you'll learn apply to every course at every level.

  • That's exactly why The Vault exists. Whether your dog misses a line, takes the wrong obstacle, or seems to ignore a cue, we'll help you understand what's really happening so you can confidently solve the problem. You won’t hear us telling you to be earlier or louder, or that your dog needs to try harder. But you will have our support to figure out why the mistakes are happening and a plan to help your dog be successful.

  • Working participants train with their dogs in small groups of five and receive individualized coaching from all three instructors throughout the weekend.

    Auditors can attend all classroom sessions, discussions, and coaching sessions throughout the weekend, but leave their dogs at home.

  • Yes! You're welcome to bring two dogs, with one dog working each day (for example, Dog A on Friday and Dog B on Saturday and Sunday). The handler just needs to remain the same.

  • You bet! You will have the option to choose multiple spots when registering.

  • Yes! Working participants rotate through all three coaches over the course of the weekend, giving you the opportunity to experience different coaching styles and perspectives while building a consistent understanding of the concepts.

  • Absolutely. If you'd like to train with a friend or training partner, let us know during registration and we'll do our best to accommodate requests.

  • Every working spot participant receives:

    • Three days of coaching and learning

    • Thursday night welcome pizza party and panel discussion

    • The Vault notebook

    • The Vault T-shirt

    • Video review sessions

    • Classroom discussions

    • One working session each day

    • Unlimited auditing of other sessions

    • A weekend focused on understanding agility at a deeper level

    Every auditing spot participant receives:

    • Three days of learning, with the ability to attend all working, classroom, and review sessions

    • Thursday night welcome pizza party and panel discussion

    • The Vault notebook

    • The Vault T-shirt

    • A weekend focused on understanding agility at a deeper level

  • Nope! Don’t let that hold you back - they aren’t required.

  • Yes, if your dog can crate quietly, you are welcome to bring a crate and crate them indoors.

  • No. Each Working Spot is reserved for one handler for the entire weekend.

    The learning at The Vault is designed to build from session to session, with concepts introduced, applied, reviewed, and expanded throughout the weekend. Attending for only part of the experience would mean missing key pieces of that progression, and it wouldn't be fair to the other participants in your group.

    If you'd both like to attend, we encourage one person to register for a Working Spot and the other for an Audit Spot, or each register for your own Working Spot if space is available.

  • Yes! During registration, you'll be able to select your preferred working group and time block.

    We'll do our best to accommodate everyone's first choice, but preferences will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Registering early gives you the best chance of securing your preferred schedule.

  • Registration coupons and scholarships cannot be combined. Only one credit may be applied per registration.

  • Registration fees are non-refundable.

    If you're unable to attend, you may transfer your spot to another participant with prior approval from Free Spirit Dogs.

    If you're unable to find a replacement, we'll be happy to offer your spot to anyone on the waitlist. While we'll do our best to help, we cannot guarantee that your spot will be filled.

  • Please send an email to team@freespiritdogs.com