Upcoming events & classes
Barn Hunt Group Lessons
For group lessons or practices, please use sign up genius (found at the link below when published) to sign up for a specific time/date. From November through spring, Barb Krause teaches at the Farm on Wednesday (10-3pm) and in the late spring, summer and fall months Barb teaches here on Mondays (9am to 3pm) and Wednesdays (10am -3pm). Barb can take your team from “never smelled a rat” to getting ready for Barn Hunt Association National Championships. Barb’s signup through April 2025 is posted here. The cost for each group lesson is $35. Payable via cash, check (SchaSam Farm) or paypal for $37 to pay for the PayPal business fee (use paypal address of SchaSamFarm@yahoo.com). Payment due at time of training.
Barn Hunt Private Lessons
For year round private lessons or practices, please use the contact page to link up schedules for a session with Mandy or Sam or if you are familar with SignUp Genius, you may use it to sign up for a private lesson slot (Barn Hunt: Private Intro to Barn Hunt Lessons and All Level Practices with Mandy). Mandy has been competing in Barn Hunt for about a year - competing with Milaya, a Russion Toy at the Master level and teaches most of the intro to Barn Hunt private lessons. Sam has been participating in Barn Hunt since 2015 with multiple dogs (three rat terriers and two border collies) at Senior and Master/RATCH level and has been teaching barn hunt since 2017 at SchaSam Farm. From introduction to master she can help you work through issues or learn more about the sport. The cost for private lessons is $30 for a 30 minute private lesson, or three practice runs or one “intro to barn hunt” session. Payable via cash, check (SchaSam Farm) or paypal (SchaSamFarm@yahoo.com) - if using PayPal the cost is $32 to cover the PayPal fee. Payment due at time of training.
North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) Lessons
Dogs using their noses to sniff out rats (either by tracking or air scenting), shed antlers and “lost” human items (wallets, keys, credit cards, glasses, cell phones etc) is what North American Sport Dog (NASDA) is all about. We work the dogs in urban (lots of human scent) and field environments, each with their own natural distractions. Nothing artifical about NASDA - real world work! SchaSam, the first NASDA club in the state of Washington, hosts numerous NASDA trials a year either at the Farm, our new field location “the Feld” or at another venue. Sam teaches private lessons throughout the week at either the Farm (urban classes in Urban Locating (rats) or Lost Item Recovery and at The Feld for Trailing & Locating, Trailing Brace or Shed. Cost is $30 for a 30 minute session. Use the contact page to set up a lesson.
Agility Private or Group Lessons - New through Competition Level
New to the sport and want to learn how to play with your dog? Competing in agility and want to improve your teamwork and skills? Found a gap in your training you want to close? Ready to work some big distance? Sam Lietz is available for private lessons at SchaSam Farm. Sam has 13 years of NADAC agility with three of her dogs in the NADAC Hall of Fame and with 55 NADAC Agility Team Championships (NATCHS). Two of her dogs have been on the podium (2nd or 3rd place) in NADAC Championships in Illinois, Ohio, and Wyoming (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022). She will work with you on anything from the basics to the advanced competition and distance. She is the only certified NADAC trainer in the state of Washington. Our agility field is outdoors on grass in a 100x100 lit field. We also do work in the big barn aisle in inclement weather. Contact Sam via the CONTACT page of this website or just email SchaSamFarm@yahoo.com to arrange a lesson time that works with your schedule. Lessons are normally held Monday through Thursday as Sam and her dogs do a lot of weekend competitions or hosting of events. Our cost is $20 for a 30 minute session payable with cash, check or PayPal (if you use PayPal your cost is $22. Most lessons are private (one handler/dog team) but if you want to work with another team or teams, we can do that too ($20 per team for the hour).
Stopping to Smell the Roses -NO TRAINING WITH SAM- Field Open for VTs/practice ONLY
There will be no training with Sam at the Farm from Monday April 21st through Friday April 25th 2025. If you are taking agility lessons or are a SAG member, you may use the field for VTs or practice. Please text Sam to know you will be using the field to deconflict use.
PRIVATE EVENT: NASDA SD/LI Workshops for Schipperkee Nationals Spokane
Sam will be out of town giving workshops at the Schipperkee Nationals in Spokane Washington on the 24th of April.
Barn Hunt Association Trials - OPEN FOR ENTRY until 21 April
Barn Hunt Association sanctioned trials planned for Friday - Sunday, May 2-4. Trial Chair Heather Haynes and judges Scott Andersen of Redmond WA and Anne Fletcher, Kelowna, British Columbia. The theme is a play on Star Wars “May the 4th be with you” so grab up your light saber and come play! Dogs must be registered with Barn Hunt Association to participate.. If you don’t want to compete but want to learn more about this exciting sport, come on out and VOLUNTEER - a great way to learn first hand!. The premium (entry form) is available at this link and the trials are open for entry as of 2 March and close on 21 April. You may enter using Secreterrier.com for a small fee.
Stopping to Smell the Roses -NO TRAINING WITH SAM- Field Open for VTs/practice ONLY
There will be no training with Sam at the Farm from Wednesday 7 May through Wednesday 28 May while she competes in herding in Montana and Idaho and agility and a big distance camp in Oregon. If you are taking agility lessons or are a SAG member, you may use the field for VTs or practice. Please text Sam to know you will be using the field to deconflict use.
MAY NADAC AGILTY TRIAL - OPEN FOR ENTRY 1 April
SAG will host a 2.5 day NADAC agility competition at SchaSam Farm in Stanwood WA. Patti Cavin has graciously agreed to judge this craziness! Our charity for this trial (ribbon buy back program) is to support the Flint Creek Flyers NADAC agility club of Hall Montana and we are also hosting a doggie yard sale for the Humane Society of Jefferson County. Come join us to celebrate this weekend with a potluck on the back porch, with plenty of adult beverages and silly yard games (ladder golf, tic/tac/toe, axe throwing - you name it, we play it). Saturday we will dedicate a run to all those pirates out there (run the course without physically walking it) Premium is posted here with opening date of 1 April 2025.
Dog 4H Fun Day at SchaSam Farm
SchaSam Farm and students will host local dog 4H teams for a fun day at the Farm. All SchaSam students are welcome to come out and help teach the kids about learning with their dogs. We hope to have fun from about 10-2. We will be setting up various dog sport training areas to allow the 4H kids to learn more about dog sports. The sports could include:
1) Agility - we will have a course set up to run in the competition agility field.
2) Rally -
3) Barm Hunt
4) Trick Dog
5) Farm Dog
JUNE NADAC AGILTY TRIAL
SAG will host a 2.5 day NADAC agility competition at SchaSam Farm in Stanwood WA. Janet Ooms from Canada has graciously agreed to judge this craziness! Our charity for this trial (ribbon buy back program) is to support the Salmon for Soldiers program out of the Everett Marina. Come join us to celebrate this weekend with a potluck on the back porch, with plenty of adult beverages and silly yard games (ladder golf, tic/tac/toe, axe throwing - you name it, we play it). Saturday we will dedicate a run to all those pirates out there (run the course without physically walking it) Premium will be posted here when approved.
Barn Hunt Fun day at SchaSam
Want to learn about the sport of Barn Hunt? On June 8th SchaSam Farm in Stanwood, will be holding another Barn Hunt Fun Day. This is a great way to see if your dog is interested in a fun sport being offered around the country. (And titles earned are AKC recognized!) Entries will be limited and entry fees will be going to the SchaSam Barn Hunt Club. Dogs do not have to be purebred, just old enough to be vaccinated for rabies. More information will be posted when available.
Stopping to Smell the Roses -NO TRAINING WITH SAM- Field Open for VTs/practice ONLY
There will be no training with Sam at the Farm from Monday June 23 through Friday June 27th 2025. If you are taking agility lessons or are a SAG member, you may use the field for VTs or practice. Please text Sam to know you will be using the field to deconflict use.
Lisa Schmitt Agility Workshop - Advanced
Join SchaSam in welcoming Lisa Schmitt, NADAC Clinician, to the Farm for a two day agility workshop for advanced (already competing in agility) teams. This two day workshop will address any issues you identify prior to the workshop. Lisa has won NADAC Championships numerous times with numerous breeds of dogs. Lisa can help with BIG DISTANCE as well as basic skills. SAG members have first rights to attendance and a wait list will be started if necessary. Cost and other administrative details will be published in the spring. You can check out Lisa’s accomplishments at her website In The Zone.
Barn Hunt Association Trials
Barn Hunt Association sanctioned trials will be held Friday - Sunday, July 11-13. The Trial Chair is Heather Haynes and judges are TBD. Dogs must be registered with Barn Hunt Association to participate.. The theme for this trial is “Going on a Straw-fari”, so grab up your wild animal and come hunt some rats!!! If you don’t want to compete but want to learn more about this exciting sport, come on out and VOLUNTEER - a great way to learn first hand!. The premium (entry form) will be posted here and on the Barn Hunt Association website when available.
Planning- JULY NADAC AGILTY TRIAL - SANTA IN THE SUMMER - Toys for Tots Fundraiser
SAG will host a 2.5 day NADAC agility competition at SchaSam Farm in Stanwood WA. We hope to have multiple NADAC judges donate their time and expertise to this trial - all profits go to our local Toys for Tots chapter to help provide a merry Christmas for deserving local children. This “Santa in the Summer” event raised over 12K last year. Come join us to celebrate this weekend with a potluck on the back porch, with plenty of adult beverages and silly yard games (ladder golf, tic/tac/toe, axe throwing - you name it, we play it). Saturday we will dedicate a run to all those pirates out there (run the course without physically walking it) Premium will be posted here when approved.
Barn Hunt Association Trials
Barn Hunt Association sanctioned trials in planning for Friday - Sunday, August 15-17. Trial Chair Heather Haynes with judges TBD. Dogs must be registered with Barn Hunt Association to participate.. If you don’t want to compete but want to learn more about this exciting sport, come on out and VOLUNTEER - a great way to learn first hand!. The premium (entry form) will be posted here and on the Barn Hunt Association website when approved.
PLANNING - AUGUST NADAC AGILTY TRIAL -
SAG will host a 2.5 day NADAC agility competition at SchaSam Farm in Stanwood WA. This event will see all NADAC courses INCLUDING tunnelers. Our judge and we will have a designated charity for this trial’s ribbon buy back program. Come join us to celebrate this weekend with a potluck on the back porch, with plenty of adult beverages and silly games. August is usually our Puppy Pool Party so dust off the squirt guns and water balloons and floaties and come join the fun! Premium will be posted here and on the NADAC website when approved.
December - Freezing for a Reason - NADAC AGILTY TRIAL
What is the reason? To play with our dogs, connect with our dog community, provide some Christmas joy for local children and enjoy some crisp PNW weather INDOORS! SAG will be hosting a 2 day NADAC agility competition at Fun Fur Paws in Mount Vernon WA. This event will see all NADAC courses EXCEPT Tunnelers. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater for a prize. Join in our caroling contest during walk throughs! Judge Traci Bruchok from Redmond OR. We hope to have a SAG club end of year meeting and potluck in the arena Saturday night with end of year gag gifts and discussion of the 2024 trials. We will also be accepting new, unwrapped toy donations for our local chapter of Toys for Tots. Bring a toy and get a certificate for $$ off your next SAG agility entry!
Stopping to Smell the Roses -NO TRAINING WITH SAM- Field Open for VTs/practice ONLY
There will be no training with Sam at the Farm from Friday 19 December through Sunday 4 January 2026. If you are taking agility lessons or are a SAG member, you may use the field for VTs or practice. Please text Sam to know you will be using the field to deconflict use.
Stopping to Smell the Roses -NO TRAINING WITH SAM- Field Open for VTs/practice ONLY
There will be no training with Sam at the Farm from Monday March 24 through Friday March 28th 2025. If you are taking agility lessons or are a SAG member, you may use the field for VTs or practice. Please text Sam to know you will be using the field to deconflict use.
PRIVATE EVENT Into to North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) for BVKA
The SchaSam Feld will be the location for an introduction to NASDA day for the Bell Vernon Kennel Association (BVKA) This is a closed event for the BVKA members. SchaSam Feld (23261 Odessa Drive, Mt Vernon). We will be introducing their members to TL, TB, SD, UL and LI levels PAT - level 1. We hope the BVKA has a great day of “finding things” up on the hill side of SchaSam Feld.
March NADAC AGILTY TRIAL - St PADDY’S DAY. Trial has filled. Wait list started.
Tired of the moping around in the wet weather? Come play indoors at the Fun Fur Paws arena in Mt Vernon with the SchaSam Agility Group (SAG). This event will see all NADAC courses EXCEPT Tunnelers. Our designated charity to receive $$ from our ribbon buy back program is the Kidney Foundation - so wear green in honor of those dealing with kidney cancer or other life threatening kidney issues. Judge Jeannie Biggers from Ontario OR will be bringing us fun courses! We will have a potluck open to all competitors at the SAG Barn on Odessa Drive (just follow Starbird up the hill) Saturday night starting about an hour after the last run. Link to the Premium is posted here . This trial is full as of 20 Feb and a wait list has been started.
PRIVATE EVENT: Barn Hunt Private Lessons for ASC WA
Lelia will be holding private Intro to Barn Hunt for members of the Washington Australian Shepherd Club. Lelia and her Aussie Mystic are hunting at the highest levels in Barn Hunt and have placed at Barn Hunt Nationals in the team and individual events. Mystic rarely leaves a rat on course and her enthusiam for the sport is evident in every run.
Planning: North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) Workshops
Jessica Clough NASDA judge and competitor is planning to hold a couple workshops at SchaSam Feld sometime between the 10th and 13th of Feb. More info will be posted when available. SchaSam Feld (23261 Odessa Drive, Mt Vernon). We hope everyone has a great time “finding things” up on the hill side of SchaSam Feld.
PRIVATE EVENT - SAG MEMBERS ONLY: Fun Day/VTs at SchaSam Feld
This event is for members and potential members of the SchaSam Agility Group (SAG) NADAC club. 10am assembly at SchaSam Feld. If the weather Gods are shining on us we will set sheds and trailing and locating with rats. If the weather is less than optimal, we will set some Urban Locating hides with rats and Lost Item hides in the barn, parking area and Hutte. We will break for a potluck meal in the big barn so bring your favorite hotdish to share and BYOB. SAG will provide coffee, tea, hot cocoa and flavored water and maybe some surprizes throughout the day. We will play until we are tired of laughing and running our dogs! Be prepared for a quick meeting to discuss future fun days, our March and May NADAC trials and other future events.
Stopping to Smell the Roses -NO TRAINING WITH SAM- Field Open for VTs/practice ONLY
There will be no training with Sam at the Farm from Monday February 2 through Friday February 7th 2025. If you are taking agility lessons or are a SAG member, you may use the field for VTs or practice. Please text Sam to know you will be using the field to deconflict use.
SAG MEMBERS ONLY: Fun Day/VTs at SchaSam Farm
This event is for members and potential members of the SchaSam Agility Group (SAG) NADAC club. 10am assembly at SchaSam Farm. If the weather Gods are shining on us we will set and run VTs - take a CHANCE with some Chances courses! We will reset as many Chances VT courses as we have available. You don’t have to video tape your run - practice, play, and socialize! If the weather is less than optimal, we have three barn hunt rings to use for playing “find the rat” games with our dogs. We will break for a potluck meal in the big barn so bring your favorite hotdish to share and BYOB. SAG will provide coffee, tea, hot cocoa and flavored water and maybe some surprizes throughout the day. We will play until we are tired of laughing and running our dogs! Be prepared for a quick meeting to discuss future fun days, our March and May NADAC trials and other future events.
December - Freezing for a Reason - NADAC AGILTY TRIAL Opening 15 October
What is the reason? To play with our dogs, connect with our dog community, provide some Christmas joy for local children and enjoy some crisp PNW weather INDOORS! SAG will be hosting a 2 day NADAC agility competition at Fun Fur Paws in Mount Vernon WA. This event will see all NADAC courses EXCEPT Tunnelers. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater for a prize. Join in our caroling contest during walk throughs! Our designated charity to receive $$ from our ribbon buy back program is Central Oregon Rescue & Rehome (CORR). CORR is run by the founder of NADAC, Sharon Nelson. Judge Kari Hammargren from Graham WA will be bringing us fun courses! We hope to have a SAG club end of year meeting and potluck at the SAG Barn on Odessa Drive (just follow Starbird up the hill) Saturday night with end of year gag gifts and discussion of the 2025 trials. We will also be accepting new, unwrapped toy donations for our local chapter of Toys for Tots. Bring a toy and get a certificate for $$ off your next SAG agility entry! Approved Premium is found at this link.
PLANNING - UKI Shed at the Feld
UKI Shed trials are planned to be held at the Feld (23261 Odessa Drive Mt Vernon).
AKC Farm Dog Certification - Open for entry
AKC Farm Dog Certification trials for November have been approved by AKC. If you have a qualifying run in both trials (under two separate judges), you can gain your AKC Title. Can you and your dog successfully navigate through typical farm sounds, sights , and critters? Ten stations must be negotiated on loose leash - examples include politely going through gates, dealing with farm noises, walking around farm related obstacles, ignoring another dog walking by, getting up on straw bales and submitting to a little grooming session by the dog’s handler are all parts of the actual certification. We have two local judges, Tonya Hirtzel and Lisa Ford. Premium posted here.
NO TRAINING WITH SAM - NADAC CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!
Sam, Bling and Mertz will be competing in the NADAC Agility Championships in Gillette Wyoming during this time. Students are welcome to come to the Farm and practice on the courses set.
September - NADAC Santa in September Agility Trial - Toys for Tots NADAC Fund Raiser
The SAG sponsored 4th annual Toys for Tots Fund Raiser NADAC agility trial calendar date has been approved by NADAC and is found at this link for entry. In addition to the normal NADAC trial (2.5 days) we will be playing silly games (leash throwing, weave pole dancing, Santa sack race, puppy kissing contest) between classes, holding silent auctions and raffles to raise money for our local children through the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program. In 2023 our amazing competitors, NADAC corporate, judges and local folks helped up raise over $11K during this trial which went to the program BEFORE the holiday season so toys could be purchased and we gathered up four bins of new unwrapped toys which were then taken to our local T4T distribution center after our December trial. We hope to see you at the grass agility field at SchaSam Farm in Stanwood for this great “tis the season” celebration of giving. Trial runs Friday midday to Sunday completion. We hope to have a professional photographer to help you document your accomplishments andn get a holiday portrait done. New unwrapped toys will be collected to add to our stash that will be donated to our local Toys for Tots chapter (in Everett) after our December NADAC trial. Multiple judges will be assisting and as of August - Patti Cavin, Pam Kaye, and Traci Bruchok have signed on to help us celebrate!
North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) trials- Opened 15 July. Saturday Trials FULL.
NASDA trials at the new SchaSam property - SchaSam Feld (23261 Odessa Drive, Mt Vernon) Saturday & Sunday August 17/18 2024, Niki G from Livermore California is our judge for these trials. This will be a field trial offering Trailing &U Locating, Trailing Brace and Shed Dog from Puppy Aptitude through Level 3. Bring your chair and enjoy socializing with our dog community around the firepit. Come and join us for a weekend of “finding things” up on the hill side of SchaSam Feld. Premium posted here with opening date of 15 July. Saturday trials are full, a wait list will be established. Sunday has runs available.
Dog 4H Fun Day at SchaSam Farm
SchaSam Farm and students will host local dog 4H teams for a fun day at the Farm. All SchaSam students are welcome to come out and help teach the kids about learning with their dogs. We hope to have fun from about 10-2.
1) Agility - we will have a course set up to run in the competition agility field. - this will be a qualifying run for State Fair.
2) North American Sport Dog Urban Locating - We will provide several Urban Locating hides (rats in box) for dogs to find in the big barn.
3) While waiting to take your turn in the barn for NASDA or the course for agility, there will be an AKC Farm Dog course set up in the common area by the barn with self-explanatory signs so you can practice your dog's Farm Dog skills such as going through a gate, walking over unusual surfaces, waiting quietly while handler "feeds" the stock (goats/sheep), climbing on a straw bale, standing nicely for grooming and walking on loose leash around numerous farm implements.
North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) trials
NASDA trials at the new SchaSam property - SchaSam Feld (23261 Odessa Drive, Mt Vernon) Saturday & Sunday July 27/28 2024, Puppy Aptitude through Level 3 in TL, TB, SD, UL and LI. Judges will be Callie Kiehl & Mary Shaver. We hope to have Cynthia Kelly of Campfire Photog out to capture our successess and laughter! Bring your chair and enjoy socializing with our dog community around the firepit. Come and join us for a weekend of “finding things” up on the hill side of SchaSam Feld. The premium is posted here with opening date of 23 June 2024.
JULY NADAC Patriotic Puppy agility trial
SAG will host a 2.5 day NADAC agility competition at SchaSam Farm in Stanwood WA. This event will see all NADAC courses INCLUDING tunnelers. Judge Keri Daun from Alberta Canada. Please come wearing your best red, white and blue while we pay tribute to our military. Our designated charityi for this trial’s Ribbon Buy Back program is Salmon for Soldiers (free fishing trip out of Everett for soldiers and veterans). Come join us to celebrate this weekend with a potluck on the back porch, with plenty of adult beverages and silly games. Can you think of a good idea for some craziness which could include an Army cassion, an Air Force jet, a Navy ship, and a Marine “jarhead”? Premium posted here with opening date of 1 June.
Keri Daun Workshops & Private Lessons
Keri is back for two workshops ( 29-30 June for teams who have competed in agility, and 1 July for teams who are new to the sport and need some foundation work) and private lessons 2-4 July between 9am and 5pm. Clinics will be held at the Farm on a grass surface with NADAC equipment. Well behaved dogs may crate on the field, others in their vehicle. A coffee/pastry bar in the morning and casual lunch will be provided for all clinic participants. A non-refundable deposit is due by 25 June to reserve your working spot for the two day clinic (total cost $275). The one day clinic on 1 July is $140 payable at time of clinic. Both clinics are limited to 8 teams. Cost for auditing (no dog) is $50 a day.
Take advantage of this opportunity to work with Keri to gain her insights into your timing and handling at whatever distance you are aspiring or at whatever level you are working. Keri’s teaching style is uniquely focused on each individual team, offering precise and clear=sighted direction. Training sessions with Keri are always tailored to your specific goals. Bring your goals/issues to the clinic so she can focus on thosse. Every agility sequence Keri sets is designed to help you build a deeper connection with your dog, improve your timing and handling skills and create a strong, well connected and confident team.
Contact Sam for more info: SchaSamFarm@yahoo.com. Flyer with more information is attached here.
Stopping to Smell the Roses -NO TRAINING WITH SAM/NO agility field use (except for Keri Daun Workshops)
There will be no training with Sam at the Farm from Friday 28 June through Monday 1 July as she attends the Keri Daun workshop (Sat/Sun) and attends a friend’s memorial service. She expects to be back for training on Tuesday 2 July. Keri Daun will be at the Farm doing workshops and lessons during that time so the agility field is reserved for her use. No VTs or practice times available.
May 17-19 - NADAC AGILTY TRIAL - FULL FRIDAY, runs available Saturday & Sunday
What the Duck??? Time to say goodbye to the mud and muck and welcome the glorious SPRING weather with an OUTDOOR trial on green, green grass, play with our dogs, and connect with our dog community for a back yard potluck on Saturday night. SAG will be hosting this 2 1/2 day NADAC agility competition at SchaSam Farm in Stanwood. This event will see all NADAC courses including Tunnelers. We will also be hosting our annual doggie yard sale with all proceeds going to the Humane Society of Jefferson County. If you have any dog related or heck, just fun stuff to donate, bring it to the trial or drop it off at the Farm before the trial. Judge Patti Cavin of Puyallup WA will be providing our courses. Premium is posted here and this trial is open for entry except for FRIDAY - FULL !
North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) trials - Opening 1 April 2024
NASDA trials at the new SchaSam property - SchaSam Feld (23261 Odessa Drive, Mt Vernon) Saturday & Sunday May 4-5 2024, We will be doing levels from Puppy Aptitude through Level 3 in Trailing & Locating, TL Brace and Shed Dog . Callie Kiehl from Monroe WA and Niki Ghofranian from Livermore CA are our judges. We hope to have Cynthia Kelly of Campfire Photog out to capture our successess and laughter! Bring your chair and enjoy socializing with our dog community around the firepit. Come and join us for a weekend of “finding things” up on the hill side of SchaSam Feld. Premium is found here with opening date of 1 April.
Stopping to Smell the Roses -NO TRAINING WITH SAM
There will be no training with Sam at the Farm from Sunday April 14 through Sunday April 21 as she attends a funeral at the Arlington National Cemetary in Washington DC. If you are taking agility lessons or are a SAG member, you may use the field for VTs or practice from the 14th through the 17th. Please text Sam to know you will be using the field to deconflict use. With the Barn Hunt competition set up and competition - NO VTS OR AGILITY PRACTICE on the field 18-21 APRIL.
AKC Farm Dog Certification - open for entry
AKC Farm Dog Certification trials for April have been approved by AKC. If you have a qualifying run in both trials, you can gain your AKC Title. Can you and your dog successfully navigate through typical farm sounds, sights , and critters? Ten stations must be negotiated on loose leash - examples include politely going through gates, dealing with farm noises, walking around farm related obstacles, ignoring another dog walking by, getting up on straw bales and submitting to a little grooming session by the dog’s handler are all parts of the actual certification. Judges are (am) L:izzy Buller of Stanwood and (pm) Melissa Thompson of Vancouver WA. Premium has been approved and is posted here and is open for entry.
March 16-17 - NADAC AGILTY TRIAL - Open for entry
Approved by NADAC - come celebrate St Patrick’s Day “Wearing of the Green” and support our designated charity of the Kidney Foundation (who’s color is also green!!!) through our ribbon buy back program. Time to welcome the mud season, play with our dogs, and connect with our dog community after a long winter and enjoy some PNW weather INDOORS! SAG will be hosting a 2 day NADAC agility competition at Fun Fur Paws in Mount Vernon WA. This event will see all NADAC courses EXCEPT Tunnelers. And with the GREEN theme, got extra veggie or flower starts to share? Bring them along to give away or trade or make a donation to our designated charity. Our able Judge will be Pam Kaye of Sequim WA. Trial opens for entry on 1 February. Premium is posted here.
North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) trials TRIAL FULL - Wait List Started
NASDA trials at the new SchaSam property - SchaSam Feld (23261 Odessa Drive, Mt Vernon) Saturday & Sunday March 2-3 2024 is FULL - we have started a wait list for both days. We will be doing levels from Puppy Aptitude through Level 3 in Trailing & Locating, TL Brace and Shed Dog and will hold MCH for Shed Dog. Jessica Clough and Mary Shaver have agreed to be our judges with Callie Kiehl as back up judge. Cynthia Kelly of Campfire Photog will be out capturing our successess and laughter! We hope to host a pot luck for all competitors at the property carport. Bring your chair and enjoy socializing with our dog community. Come and join us for a weekend of “finding things” up on the hill side of SchaSam Feld. Premium is found here. UPDATE: Trial is full as of 25 January 2024 with a wait list started.
North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) Off Leash Skills Workshop (Afternoon session)
Sign Up Genius for Jessica Clough Workshop on NASDA Off Leash skills appropriate for new and experienced teams. This is the sign up for the afternoon session to be held at SchaSam Feld - 23261 Odessa Drive, Mt Vernon on Friday 1 March. A full description is included in the Sign Up. Sign Up Genius found here. SchaSam NASDA Sports: NASDA Workshop Off Leash Skills (signupgenius.com)
North American Sport Dog Association (NASDA) Handling Workshop (morning session)
Sign Up Genius for Jessica Clough Workshop on NASDA Handling appropriate for new and experienced teams. This is the sign up for the morning session to be held at SchaSam Feld - 23261 Odessa Drive, Mt Vernon on Friday 1 March. A full description is included in the Sign Up. SchaSam NASDA Sports: NASDA Jessica Clough Workshop (signupgenius.com)
SAG MEMBERS ONLY: Fun Day/VTs at Le Phantom Farm
This event is for members of the SchaSam Agility Group (SAG) NADAC club. 10am load up at SchaSam Farm with equipment unload at Le Phantom about 1100. We will play until we are tired of laughing and running our dogs! Jumpers course VTs wll be set for your recording pleasure at a dirt arena (indoor) at Le Phantom Farm in Stanwood. You don’t have to video tape your run - practice, play, and socialize! Beautiful setting on top of the hill abuting the Pilchuck Tree Farm. Bring finger foods to share and your adult beverage. SAG will provide coffee, tea, hot cocoa and flavored water and maybe some surprizes throughout the day. Well behaved dogs may be crated in the arena. Indoor bathroom, meeting room for our use. We will use a quick meeting to discuss March NADAC trial and other future events. The theme is Mardi Gras - so wear your purple, gold and green and get ready to find the baby in the King Cake!
Puppy Engagement and Future Sports Stars
Puppy Engagement & Future Sports Stars class series starting 7 February. Sam Lietz will be teaching our next series of Puppy Engagement & Future Sports Stars in February Wednesday evenings, 6:30 - 7:30pm. This class is made up of four 1 hour classes for $120 per pup, with payment due at the first session. Sam limits her class size to five or 6 puppies so everyone gets enough individualized attention for their pup along with the best benefits from environmental distractions.
Our next courses will be held WEDNESDAY February 7 and end when we can get four sessions in (we are flexible and try to work around our busy students’ schedules). Another class is planned for the summer so if you can’t get into the running, please let Sam know you would be interested in a future session.
In this class we will work on engagement skills with distractions, and begin to build a solid foundation for a wide variety of sports including agility, barn hunt, treibball and nose work. This class is NOT going to focus on agility obstacles as we do not believe puppies should be on equipment before their bodies and minds are allowed to mature.
Main skills we will work on include:
1) Engagement games to build focus and connection
2) paw awareness/hind end awareness (aimed at contact behavior)
3) start line/sit stay foundations (impulse control, focus)
4) Play foundations (rewards and connection)
5) Sport manner basics (and what is expected in trial environments)
As a fun bonus we will do an introduction/play a fun game from several main dog sports throughout this series as well! All four of these sports are taught at SchaSam Farm - agility, barn hunt, real world nose work and treibball.
If you are seriously interested/ready to sign up please let Sam know by emailing at SchaSamFarm@yahoo.com for more information or to be put on the list for a future class session.
Dog 4H Fun Day at Evergreen Fairgrounds Monroe
Planning mode with the 4H leaders but we will be helping with 4H agility at the 4H dog program’s Fun Day at the Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe. All SchaSam students are welcome to come out and help teach the kids about learning with their dogs.