TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

When:

Wednesday, November 19th, 2025.

12pm - 5pm with handling skills evaluations/critiques from Allison, hands-on instructional sessions, and a handling skills competition.

Where:

The International Centre, Mississauga, ON. Our seminar will be held in conjunction with the Aurora & District Kennel Club! Click here for the dog show event details.

Who:

Dog show enthusiasts of all levels are invited to participate!

Hosted by Allison Alexander of Leading Edge Dog Show Academy. Allison won more than 750 Best in Shows and made up thousands of Champions in her successful career as a Professional Handler, starting in 1987.




Schedule of Events

[12pm - 1:00pm] Ring Procedure & Handling Skills Evaluation

Allison will evaluate your handling skills as you complete a ring procedure with your dog. Allison will provide you with a "score" to kick things off - Are you SHOWING your dog? Are you only HANDLING them? Or are you still stuck TRAINING your dog? Allison will discuss critical difference between training, handling, and showing and provide you with a ‘score card’ of where your skills are currently at.

[1:30pm - 3:30pm] Handling Troubleshooting & Demonstrations

Based on the feedback you received from the Evaluation portion, you will return to the ring to work with your dog and Allison to improve on your handling pain points. Allison will discuss and demonstrate so everyone can make improvements to their handling techniques.

[3:45pm - 5:00pm] Handling Skills Competition (& Take Home Evaluation/Critiqued Video)

Using the feedback you received in the earlier sessions, you will return to the ring to put your handling skills to the test in a friendly “handling skills competition”. Allison will re-evaluate your handling skills and provide you with a take-home video critique. Prizes will be awarded for Best Overall, Most Improved, and Auditor’s Choice!

Working Ticket:

[$99]

Spend the afternoon working with your dog, with evaluations and feedback from Allison. Compete in the handling skills competition!

Limited number of tickets available.

Audit Ticket:

[$69]

Spend the afternoon with ‘ringside’ access to observe the handling sessions. Plus, vote on the ‘Auditor’s Choice’ prize in the handling skills competition!

Handling Skills Competition

At the end of our seminar, we will host a handling skills competition! In this competition, you will complete a "mock dog show" and receive placements based on how well you showcase your dog.

A guest judge will join us for the handling skills competitions.

All working ticket attendees will receive feedback from Allison on your handling skills. Prizes will be awarded for Most Improved, Best Overall, and more!

Advanced Handling Seminar

This seminar is open to all: whether you are new to dog shows or have spent years in the game!

However, in this seminar we will focus on advanced handling skills - that is, how to make you your very best. While we do ask that you know the basics (and, we'll help you learn before the seminar), no matter where you are in your handling skills this seminar will allow you to improve and move on to a more advanced level!

For beginners: in our online portal you will find FREE beginner-level handling resources to help you get started. We will also recommend further learning. If you have questions, please email us!

Before the seminar, you should know:

  • How to stack your dog (we will teach you how to get BETTER at stacking your dog!)
  • How to gait your dog around the ring and down-and-back (we will teach you how to get BETTER at gaiting your dog!)
  • How to free bait your dog (it doesn't need to be perfect, but if you know what this is then we can help you improve!)

Allison Alexander

Believing that you should always do what you love, Allison Alexander became a professional handler in 1987 and presented Canada's top dogs for over 30 years. Allison has bred, owned, groomed and handled many breeds across all seven groups and has finished more than 2000 champions!

With more than 750 All-Breed Best in Shows, she is proud to have been highly awarded at such prestigious shows as Crufts, the World Dog Show, Westminster Kennel Club, and the AKC Invitational.

In 2017, Allison launched Leading Edge Dog Show Academy, the world's first online dog show training school. Her mission is to help mentor a new generation of dog show enthusiasts through innovative video-based grooming and handling lessons. She looks forward to working with enthusiastic students as they perfect their skills on the way to the winner's circle.

Get Your Tickets!

For Canadian students who would prefer to pay via Interac E-transfer, please send an email to [email protected] to request e-transfer instructions. (Please do not e-transfer this email address).


For US students (and abroad): Please note the prices below are in Canadian Dollars (CAD). The ticket price will automatically be converted when you make your purchase. Reminder, 1 CAD = ~0.72 USD so your ticket price is less in USD.


Please note: LEDSA course discount codes are NOT valid for seminar tickets. If you apply a coupon, your purchase will be refunded and your registration will be cancelled. You will have the option to re-enroll at full price, but we cannot guarantee that your spot will remain available.


All tickets include a printed workbook you will receive at the seminar!

FAQ

"Can I bring more than one dog?"

Working Ticket students can participate in the handling seminar with only one dog. If you wish to bring more than one dog to the seminar, you will only be able to participate with one dog per session. However, we strongly recommend only working with one dog to get the most benefit from this seminar. 

"What can I set up at the seminar (crate, grooming table, chair)?"

Please bring a crate for your dog, a chair for yourself (optional) and any of your equipment you'll need to show your dog - bait, lead and collar, etc.

Please note: for those showing at the dog show, you are not permitted to set up your grooming area in the Aurora & District space before our seminar. You will be permitted to set up after the seminar! Thank you for your cooperation.

"When can I arrive at the seminar?"

Please arrive at the seminar (International Centre, Hall 5) at 11:30am to check in and set up your things. We ask you be ready to 'show' your dog for the seminar start time at 12pm!

Questions?

Email us at [email protected] or use the blue 'Email' widget at the bottom right of your screen.