Medina Swarm's News from the Hive
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Welcome to the very first edition of News from the Hive! We’ve completely overhauled our monthly briefing to bring you clean course lines, high-value training tips, and instant access to class openings. Whether you're chasing your next C-ATCH, looking to clock 25 MPH in SpeedWay, or just starting out on the turf, consider this your trackside pit stop. Grab your coffee, and let's look at what happened last month and what's coming to the Swarm this fall!
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📺 Did you catch the Swarm on TV? Fox 8 New Day Cleveland stopped by our facility to see how choice-based, positive reinforcement training turns high-energy pups into confident sport dogs!
We got to highlight CPE SpeedWay, including Drag Race, and Trick Dog foundations—showing Northeast Ohio how games, value transfer, and relationships beat force every single time.
👇 Watch the TV segments below! |
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Introducing the Triwizard Tournament
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Step onto the turf this autumn for Medina Swarm’s 1st Annual Triwizard Tournament, a high-octane, three-weekend gauntlet designed to test every corner of your team’s drive! Handlers and their canine tri-athletes will tackle three distinct CPE tasks: the SpeedWay Dragon Dash (Sept 26 & Sept 27), the CSS Black Lake Search (Oct 3–4), and the Agility Triwizard Maze (Oct 16–17). Teams will represent one of four legendary House banners—Gryffin-Paw, Huffle-Pup, Raven-Bark, or Slyther-Fur—stacking points toward the ultimate House Cup. You don't need to run all three sports to make an impact, because every single Q, volunteer shift, and trackside costume contest fuels your House's vault. With 3D-printed Golden Trophies and the Triwizard Cup on the line, grab your besties (furry and otherwise) and prepare to declare your House! |
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Trial Committee Members Needed
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We're locking down our 2027 Trial Calendar and need committee members across Agility, Speedway, and CSS (help with 1, 2, or all 3!).
- Setup & Teardown: Ring setup before and pack-up after.
- Swarm Ambassador: Trackside guide to keep things running smooth.
- Official Business: Attend committee meetings if issues pop up (rare!).
Requirements: Active CPE & Medina Swarm member, familiar with CPE rules, available for your signed-up days.
How to Volunteer: Reply directly to this email or contact Sharon Ziska with the dates and sports you can cover.
2027 Trial Calendar:
Speedway: Jan 16–17 | Feb 13–14 | Mar 6–7 | May 8–9 | Jun 5–6 | Aug 28–29 | Oct 2–3 | Nov 20–21
Scent Work (CSS): Jan 23–24 | Apr 3–4 | May 15–16 | Jun 12–13 | Jul 31–Aug 1 | Sep 11–12 | Oct 9–10 | Dec 11–12
Agility: Feb 20–21 | Apr 24–25 | Oct 23–24 | Dec 4–5 |
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Read on below to find out what our Members, Students and Friends have accomplished recently! |
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Correction! We have a confession to make. We messed up last month and announced some incorrect information for one of our Members and her dog's accomplishments. We're so very sorry Lynn & DaCoda.
Congratulations on your CS-ATE! Your 144th title accomplishment! |
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Amber & Heather R. had a great weekend at our August Speedway trial! They earned two titles: Speedway Pro & Speedway Master! Congratulations! |
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Elphy & Diane H. earned their Speedway Elite title at Elyphy's very first trial! Way to go! |
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Charlie & Cathy D. earned their NACSW NW2 August 23rd in Chelsea, Michigan. They also had 2 Pronounceds. Way to go! |
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Brock & Elizabeth P. have earned AKC Canine Good Citizen, CPE Speedway Elite, and their NACSW L1V (Level 1 Vehicles) Title! Great job! |
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Joey & Heather P. have had some exciting times. They earned their CPE Canine Scent Sport C-SNITCH (Sniffing Team Champion) title! What an accomplishment! At the same trial, they also earned their Level 5 Element title, and were High in Trial for Level 5! Congratulations! |
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Copper & Allison H. earned their Speedway Master title! Congratulations! |
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Susie & Kathy E. earned their Speedway Elite title! Way to go! |
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From Christine N.'s Crew, Belle earned her Speedway Pro title!
And, Cannon Ball earned his AKC DCAT! |
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The Springston Dobbies crew have been busy!
Ivy, Honey and Peaches,
with Tara and Junior Handlers A* and Z*, have earned so many ribbons!
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments!
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Rick D. with Hope and Ruby had a great weekend at Top Dog’s CPE Speedway trial in July. Hope was the Top Midi Overall Slingshot Dog. Ruby finished her Bronze Legendary title, had the Top Scoring Slingshot Run of all heights, and was the Top Maxi Overall Slingshot Dog!
Hope & Rick D. also earned their CPE Speedway Gold Legendary title in August! Way to go!
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And, while we may not have the pictures, we're still very proud of these dogs and handlers and their new accomplishments!
Quill & Kacey C. - Speedway Pro
Veery & Kacey C. - Speedway Master
Vinny & Elizabeth S. - Speedway Bronze Legendary
Mozzie & Shane M. - Speedway Bronze Legendary
Ziti & Don D. - Speedway Silver Legendary
🐝Congratulations to everyone! Keep up the great work!🐝 |
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AKC Agility League is back for the fall season! Competition starts September 14th. We have 3 teams based on skill level that you can join:
🐝 Swarm Little Stingers - NO AKC Agility titles in JWW or Standard. This is the Freshman/Beginners level!
🐝 Swarm Nectar Hunters - Novice or Open titles in JWW or STD. Next level after Beginners.
🐝 Swarm Queen Bees - Excellent or Masters titles in JWW or STD, for the more experienced teams!
Register here --> https://akc.jotform.com/261824147792969
There is a fee to join AKC Agility League, and an AKC handler's fee each year. Swarm does not charge a fee to play. Please email Sharon Ziska to let her know once you sign up and which team you signed up for, so she knows to look for you when AKC sends the rosters. If interested, please register by September 4th! Come join this fun, competitive way to get more experience in Agility! You can learn more here --> https://www.akc.org/akc-agility-league/ |
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Upcoming Classes & Workshops
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Timing in Agility by Megan Foster | Mar 2, 2022
The secret to staying ahead is good timing 🙂 I think of timing as a loop. Good timing is all about predicting behavior, and I do think this gets lost in agility. We are so often waiting to see something specific, but if we wait until we see it, we will be too late in our response. We have to understand our cues and our dog's responses to them well enough that you can predict when they will land and how they will land based on the cues that have been given. Click here to continue reading. |
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2027 Medina Swarm Calendar
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We are on the hunt for our next Swarm Stars and need photos of your incredible dogs to feature in the spotlight! We are building an official 2027 Medina Swarm Calendar to raise donations for facility equipment and upgrades. Send in your favorite camera-roll shots—whether it's an explosive start-line lead-out, a clean teeter execution, or a cozy post-run crate nap. Please email all submissions to Sharon Ziska by September 30th to help your pup secure a spot in the lineup! |
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Remembering Sunfire's Sundog, OA, OAJ, "Sunny"
July 3, 2012-August 17, 2026
Sending our deepest condolences to longtime member Cathy D. on the loss of her beloved Sonny. Alongside Monty, Sonny was Cathy's deeply loved, highly trained companion through major life transitions.
The Swarm family wishes Cathy comfort during this tough time. |
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Remembering Carpathian Aint That The Pipps, "Pippa"
May 31, 2014-July 9, 2026
Some dogs don't just run agility—they redefine grit. The entire Swarm family is deeply saddened by the passing of Mandii C.’s wonderful Aussie, Pippa. Anyone who watched them on the trial floor remembers the pure joy she brought to the ring and the milestones she claimed right up to the end. She was a once-in-a-lifetime dog.
Pippa’s journey to the top was nothing short of miraculous. After a terrifying accident in March 2022 left her with a broken front leg and severe muscle damage, surgeons warned she would never compete again. Mandii and rehab specialist Jill spent the next 13.5 months proving that wrong. By late 2023, Pippa wasn't just back—she was dominating.
Even after a malignant melanoma diagnosis in late 2025, Pippa kept running. Just days after celebrating her 12th birthday this past May, Mandii and Pippa officially wrapped up her agility career by earning their CS-ATE (Agility Team Extraordinaire). That is 138 faultless runs and 3,000 points—a goal six years in the making, achieved against every conceivable odd.
Mandii, the whole Swarm family is with you. |
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We hope you've enjoyed this new issue of Medina Swarm's News from the Hive! If you'd like to make a submission towards next month's edition, you can send it here! See you at the Swarm! |
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Medina Swarm Agility & Dog Training
257 Main St., Wadsworth, OH 44281
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