Agility Handlers

Ann and Stuart Harmes

Stuart Harmes

Stuart I think it is fair to say is first and foremost a sportsman - albeit an ageing one these days! Stuart has been a sportsman all his life, representing Wales many times as a schoolboy, and under 21’s and playing First Division professional Rugby before finding Agility, and becoming hooked!

Stuart is no stranger in Agility….and for many in the sport needs no introduction! He has competed for 20 years in the sport with an amazing degree of success! With his first dog Trelogan Trim, a rescue dog - and subsequently with the infamous Noggin the Nog, his son Nog Bach, and more recently with his young dog Darleyfalls Tog.

It is fair to say there are very few Agility handlers with a’ pedigree’ that has produced a lasting winning partnership with each and every one of their dogs, yet he seems to be able to light that very special relationship that truly turns into something special – be it a rescue dog (Trelogan Trim) or a working sheep dog (Noggin the Nog/Nog Bach) or an agility bred dog with an amazing pedigree – (Darleyfalls Tog) it doesn't really seem to matter, he has never given up on a dog, and All Stuarts’ dogs without exception have gone to the very top of the sport, competing at Championship level and winning many many major titles including:

• Crufts Singles
• CSJ Novice Agility Final
• Crufts Knockout (x6)
• Olympia International Knock Out
• Crufts Team
• Crufts Singles
• Reserve Crufts International Agility
• Reserve Grand Final Olympia
• Spillers Novice Agility Final
• Home Nations Cup
• KC Nations Cup
• Plus many many more!

Stuart was also nominated and shortlisted for the Agility Club Awards for the UK’s Outstanding handler award - which won by Alan Bray.

Stuart has competed in every major final in the UK - many times, has been to Olympia and Crufts more times than we can remember and with great success! His older dogs were not elidgible for the FCI World Championships as they are/were not pedigree dogs, but Noggin still won the points series the first year team GB took to this stage even though the 'Pedigree only' rule meant he could not attend. Stuart captained the Home Nations Wales team for three years running, winning the event in 2006. He was also part of the Wales squad at the World Agility Open this year 2011, with both Binka and Tog and will return next year in the 2012 squad for Belgium.

Stuart is known for his motivational and energetic style of handling both in the UK and abroad, and his amazing partnership that he has managed to develop with each of his dogs taking them all to the very top of the sport.

As a trainer, he has delivered seminars internationally in Switzerland and Belgium and has produced alongside fellow internationally renowned competitor Toni Dawkins, the internationally acclaimed training DVD Ultimate Contacts. Stuart is also a respected Championship level judge, enjoying designing large open technical courses to challenge both speed and accuracy at top level. Stuart will also be judging at Crufts this year, 2011.

Ann Harmes

Ann actually began training in Agility before Stuart with her first dog Mostly Moss… having started their introduction to dog training in Obedience, Moss took them to the dizzy heights of Advanced and won the NCDL and Crufts Singles titles before his career was cut short by injury. Noggin the Nog was Ann's second dog ..... who needs no introduction!

But he was soon to be taken on by Stuart upon the arrival of our daughter Nia. Ann now competes at Championship level with her own dog Noonoonog with a good degree of success!

Both Stuart and Ann compliment each other's handling and training styles, with Ann's more technical and analytical approach, and Stuarts’ motivational and positive handling strategies providing a unique winning combination!

Here’s what some of our students had to say:

"Stuart Harmes is quite unique as a trainer, his motivational style both as a handler and coach are so refreshing it has given me and my dog so much confidence and I am amazed at what we have now achieved since attending the training day’ thankyou!"

Ann has provided individualised training in the UK for the past 15 years, offering bespoke training days, seminars as far afield as South Africa, specialising in an individualised approach to training.

"I have been training with Ann Harmes at Camddwr for the last 5 years, her patience towards me as handler has helped me learn, and my confidence grow! Her attention to detail, and her problem solving ability make her one of the best in my view"

Camddwr Canine

Is situated in the most idyllic countryside set amongst rolling Clwydian hills and surrounded by the most amazing dog walking country.

Our Facilities: We provide quality facilities, the most up to date equipment including low contacts, rubber contact surfaces, training weaves wall and well… We train on a 20X40m purpose built sand school during the winter months and then on a larger immaculately kept flat grassed area during the Summer.

1/1 Tuition : Ann specialises in a truly individualised approach to training. This encompasses an analytical approach to the assessment of the dog and handler. To ensure that each partnership identify key areas of strength and weakness, a ‘tool box’ approach utilising many different handling styles and systems is used. Problem solving is key to this planned approach - setting achievable aims and actions for future work.We are happy to take young dogs for Pre Agility foundation work at 9 months of age, Beginners are welcome once the dog has reached 12 months …competing dogs are taken from elementary level through to Advanced level. Our control and key contact training methods are very effective and we only use tried and tested methods that we believe to be achievable for both dog and handler. We believe in motivational training and handling and use a variety of reinforcers and rewards such as toys treats target training and clicker work. At Camddwr we promote only positive reward based training and no harsh handling or training methods are endorsed or accepted during any of our training sessions. Lessons are generally 1 hour duration although we are most happy to discuss individual needs and will also train small groups by arrangement.

Training Evenings : Stuart runs training evenings during the summer and these are very popular and based upon motivational work and handling skill and techniques. These are limited to small groups of handlers and dogs.

Training Events : Camddwr Cainine will be hosting a programme of training events during the winter months, These will include some guest trainers and venues will vary according to the needs/size of the groups. More details will appear on the site shortly. If you would like more detail or would like to register your interest then please contact us.

Club Invitations : We are available to attend as guest trainers for clubs. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Fees : Please contact us to discuss costs

Our new Retail Store opens on the 1 December 2011, Why not ring to arrange a visit!

Camddwr Farm, Llanarmon Yn Ial, CH74QX.
Phone: 01824 780522
Visit us at www.camddwrcanine.co.uk

"The Harmes' agility dogs are all fed on CSJ Command Performance and Working Herbs and their performance and condition is a huge part of their success!"

Malvern 2004

List of all Agility Handlers

Ann and Stuart Harmes

Ann & Stuart Harmes have competed in agility for over 12 years and have become one of the most successful partnerships in the sport.
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Dave Leach

Dave currently owns 2 Belgian Shepherd Dogs.
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Ian Jackson

Part of Team England at WAO.
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David Munnings

Successful in agility.
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Leah Gardner

Anju Agility Dogs.
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Kees Bastiaansen

Agility dogs in Belgium.
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Adelaine Bastiaansen-Wieggerinck

Agility dogs in Belgium.
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Nicola Giraudi

Coldstream Border Collies in Switzerland.
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Anne Marigny

Anne Marigny and 'Europe’s Top Dog' – Kafka, Australian Working Kelpie.
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K9 Capers - Vicky Shelton and James Coxon

Vicky and James have taken part in a wide variety of canine activities with their dogs including competition obedience, herding, and cani-X.
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Toni Dawkins with Kite and Minx

Anyone watching the TV coverage of the Crufts agility in 2005 will remember seeing the spectacular round by Toni (wearing her CSJ t-shirt) and Kite!
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