Michele Ellertson - Zone Training: Finishing Your Work

Michele Ellertson

Sunday, September 20, 2026

9 AM – 5 PM

Topic: Zone Training: Finishing Your Work

Location: Catholic Charities Paradise School, 6156 W Canal Rd, Abbottstown, PA 17301

• You must be able to navigate multiple sets of steps at this location to fully enjoy your workshop experience.

  
  

Description: This seminar introduces Zone Training concepts – the intentional use of a series of spaces to create separation and help the dog fully complete one challenge before moving onto another. Zone training can be used to help dogs who “shop” or “catalog” hides or those who look for the “easy” finds before engaging the more elevated ones. It can also effectively be used to build confidence, or take the dog through a sequential training experience to build skills. You will explore how this system can reduce environmental overwhelm, prevent premature area-hopping, and help dogs build confidence in completing a task before moving on. Through discussion and working the dogs in front of us, we’ll look at when zone training might be helpful, how to implement it effectively, and how it supports dogs at different stages of training.

Workshop Requirement: This seminar is perfect for handlers who want to build stamina, learn how to systematically build a skill, or trouble shoot a dog who abandons one hide for another regularly. Dogs must be on all 3 odors and have solid hunt drive.

• This event has been approved by NACSW for 5 CEU's.

REGISTRATION OPTIONS:

12 Working Spots @ $250.00 each (WITH your dog)

12 Auditor Spots @ $75.00 (WITHOUT your dog)

Important:

• If you're interested in an auditor spot, please email tsmithgonesniffin@gmail.com. Auditor registrations cannot be submitted through the website. 

• If all Working Spots are full, you will automatically be placed on a waitlist when you register. If a spot becomes available, you will be notified via email.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Venmo: @GoneSniffin (Last 4 digits of phone number: 2461)

PayPal: Tamara Smith (Email address: tamnelli@comcast.net)

*Please select PayPal Friends and Family to avoid fees for both parties. If you pay using Goods and Services, please add the PayPal fee to your payment so the full workshop fee is received.

Important: 

• Please include your name, your dog's name, and the workshop name in the Notes box so we can match your payment with your registration. 

• If you prefer to send a check, please reach out to request this option via email at: tsmithgonesniffin@gmail.com