Bad Dog Agility Podcast

In this episode (27:55)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk about how you can reject conventional notions of success and create your own agility adventure.

You Will Learn

  • Who and what influence your idea of dog agility success.
  • How you can be creative in determining your own agility path.
  • Why letting go of certain goals can be freeing.
  • Why you might be uncomfortable the next time you go to a bar.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast182.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:17pm CDT

In this episode (24:18)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban wonder if agility trainers should use a clicker during sequencing.

You Will Learn

  • The difference between clicker training and using a clicker.
  • The benefits of clicker training.
  • How to start using a clicker with an experienced dog.
  • Why dogs don’t dance well.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast181.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:26pm CDT

In this episode (24:18)

In this podcast, Sarah and Esteban talk about the nuance of speed in dog agility, and how to manipulate handler speed to get great runs on course.

You Will Learn

  • The difference between relative and absolute speed.
  • How to vary your speed for maximum benefit on course.
  • How teenage boys feel about facial hair.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast180.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm CDT

In this episode (44:08)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban tackle the question of which is faster: the front cross or the rear cross?

You Will Learn

  • The psychology behind the idea that the front cross is faster than the rear cross.
  • When you should choose a rear cross instead of a front cross.
  • Which type of dog does better with front crosses than rear crosses.
  • The importance of timing yourself in training.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast179.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:26am CDT

In this episode (24:12)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk about pushing the edge of commitment to create distance and increase confidence.

You Will Learn

  • How to define commitment point.
  • How to change your dog’s commitment point.
  • Why handlers are afraid to push the edge of commitment.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast178.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:18pm CDT

In this episode (38:01)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk about the upcoming Masters Agility Championship at Westminster with Paul Campanella, the Director of Companion Events for the Westminster Kennel Club. They will cover new changes to the event, including the $10,000 grand prize, as well as plans for future events.

You Will Learn

  • Which club is older, the Westminster Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club.
  • Which agility clubs are eligible for the $10,000 award.
  • Which height the overall Masters Agility Champion will likely come from.
  • When entries to Westminster open and why you need to enter on the first day.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast177.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:57pm CDT

In this episode (32:37)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk about the many factors that people should think about when they are looking for the next agility dog.

You Will Learn

  • Which factors to consider when you are thinking about your next agility dog.
  • The difference between love and favoritism.
  • The importance of recognizing the unique interests and talents of your new dog.
  • The role that expectation plays in your relationship with your new dog.
Direct download: BDAPodcast176.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:39pm CDT

In this episode (21:48)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk about what you can do when you find yourself in a difficult spot on the agility course.

You Will Learn

  • How to identify tough spots on course.
  • How to address tough spots with your training.
  • How to generate small variations of tough spots to strengthen your handling.
  • What to call a sharply dressed reptile.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast175.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:12am CDT

In this episode (26:00)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban share their thoughts on how external circumstances often require changes in your agility plans.

You Will Learn

  • How to stack your training days to maintain flexibility for bad weather and other intrusions in your routine.
  • How to shift gears in a trial environment.
  • The importance of changing your expectations without sacrificing your criteria at trials.
  • The value of a thesaurus.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast174.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:08pm CDT

In this episode (33:24)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk with Silvia Trkman about her recent European Open win and how she continues to be competitive in an ever-changing sport.

You Will Learn

  • How your attitude toward challenges can affect your enjoyment of the sport and set you up for a career of success.
  • Silvia’s thoughts on course design in Europe.
  • What to watch for when reviewing your runs to increase your dog’s speed and reduce their confusion.
  • How beginners can achieve success with their very first dog.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast173.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:55am CDT

In this episode (20:45)

In this podcast, Sarah and Esteban discuss what it means to keep an eye on your dog during agility.

You Will Learn

  • Why and when you should keep your eyes on your dog.
  • Why and when you should look away from your dog.
  • The importance of using your peripheral vision.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast172.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:19am CDT

In this episode (17:43)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk about the concept of handler focus versus obstacle focus, and how to apply it to your own agility training.

You Will Learn

  • What it means for your dog to be handler-focused or obstacle-focused.
  • Which focus you need in order to excel in agility.
  • How a dog’s focus can be obstacle-dependent.
Direct download: BDAPodcast171.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:52pm CDT

In this episode (24:40)

Why is it sometimes so difficult to make changes in your handling? In this episode, Sarah and Esteban apply the concept of homeostasis to dog agility, and explain how you can “reset” your agility equilibrium.

You Will Learn

  • The definition of homeostasis.
  • How to leave jumps sooner.
  • A helpful tip for handlers who “body block” their dogs on down contacts.
  • How to get ahead while your dog is weaving.
  • The real secret behind Romeo and Juliet’s love affair.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast170.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:15pm CDT

In this episode (34:35)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk with Jennifer Crank and Sarah Baker about how they manage their time and their dog from the moment they take them out of a crate for a run to the moment they put them back in the crate after the run.

You Will Learn

  • When and how to get your dog ready to run.
  • How to structure your dog’s reinforcement schedule around each run at a trial.
  • Common mistakes people make before and after runs.
  • The big mistake people make when using food before their run.
  • How to use toys or your dog’s leash effectively.
  • Why bicycles are so unstable.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast169.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:26pm CDT

In this episode (24:19)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban discuss how to recognize and combat tilt in your dog training.

You Will Learn

  • How a moment of tilt can set your dog back in their training.
  • How to recognize and avoid tilting in your agility training.
  • Which dogs are most affected by a handler on tilt.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast168.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:27pm CDT

In this episode (15:27)

What can you do when something works for everyone else’s dog but not your own? In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk about understanding your dog’s issues in the context of the agility spectrum.

You Will Learn

  • How many dogs earned a qualifying score in the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2016.
  • Why you shouldn’t feel like you’re the only one dealing with a specific problem in agility.
  • How to find help for your specific problem.
  • Why you should leave your poker chips at home before going to the jungle.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast167.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:06pm CDT

In this episode (19:50)

In this episode, Dr. Brittany Schaezler joins the podcast to get you and your dog ready for summer.

You Will Learn

  • When you should stop your training sessions due to heat and fatigue.
  • How you can cool your dog during and after training.
  • Where dogs have sweat glands.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast166.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:26pm CDT

In this episode (21:41)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban explore how a minimalist approach to dog agility training can protect people from feeling overwhelmed–especially if they have a dog new to agility.

You Will Learn

  • Why Esteban thinks he’s an agility minimalist.
  • How minimalism can protect you from feeling overwhelmed with your new dog.
  • How to identify the essential skills and behaviors needed for the minimalist approach.
  • Proper traffic etiquette.
Direct download: BDAPodcast165.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:25pm CDT

In this episode (24:32)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban discuss the impact that external influences can have on your agility, and how you can use them to advance your own training.

You Will Learn

  • Who/what your biggest outside influences are.
  • How they affect your training.
  • Why you should embrace outside influences.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast164.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:11pm CDT

In this episode (18:46)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban help you memorize your courses by figuring out the dog’s line and the handler’s path and combining them with visualization.

You Will Learn

  • Why you should focus on your own path as well as your dog’s.
  • How knowing your dog’s line can reduce your memorization burden.
  • The 3 different views you can have during visualization.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast163.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:49pm CDT

In this episode (16:29)

Sarah and Esteban talk about dogs that perform better at home than at shows. Some dogs slow down at trials while other dogs run fast but consistently make mistakes on the same thing like start lines or weave poles. We share some tips for both training and trialing to help handlers work through these issues.

You Will Learn

  • Why some dogs run slower at shows than at home or practice.
  • Why you need to make your practices harder than the trial.
  • How to “practice” with your dog at a trial.
  • Proper attire for weddings!

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast162.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:02am CDT

In this episode (38:53)

In this episode, Sarah is joined by Jennifer Crank and Sasha Zitter to talk about the Junior Handler program.

You Will Learn

  • How agility can teach children (and adults!) perseverance and sportsmanship.
  • How the Junior Handler program can help grow the sport of dog agility.
  • How clubs can help encourage Junior Handlers.
  • How competitors can help encourage Junior Handlers.
  • How the idea of the Boundless Junior Agility Camp became reality.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast161.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:25am CDT

In this episode (39:11)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban share some thoughts on the exact steps they take when the dog makes a mistake in agility training.

You Will Learn

  • Exactly how Esteban and Sarah react to mistakes when training.
  • How to keep your dog’s drive and enthusiasm up in the face of repeated mistakes.
  • Why Sarah uses “microbreaks” with her border collie.
  • Esteban’s thoughts on No Reward Marks (NRMs) in agility training.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast160.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:36pm CDT

In this episode (23:42)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban apply the concept of “muscle memory” to dog agility. They talk about how it works, why it’s important, and how you can use it to your advantage.

You Will Learn

  • The definition of muscle memory.
  • How muscle memory works.
  • Why muscle memory can help your dog agility.
  • The most common way agility handlers undermine their own training.
  • The big problem muscle memory can create for the agility veteran.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast159.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:23pm CDT

In this episode (37:15)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban are joined by Livestream Finals announcer Brittany Schaezler to wrap up the 2017 AKC National Agility Championship. They talk about the dirt, the judges, the courses, the winners, and their favorite runs from the weekend!

You Will Learn

  • If this year’s courses were tougher than last year’s courses.
  • Which course was the toughest this year.
  • How good the footing was for the dogs.
  • Who the winners were for each class.
  • The favorite runs for each livestream announcer.
  • Who ran the “clutch run” of the weekend.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast158.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:49pm CDT

In this episode (25:00)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban explore the good and bad behind comparing your dog and yourself to others in dog agility.

You Will Learn

  • How making comparisons can motivate you to improve your agility training.
  • How making comparisons can make you feel bad about your progress in the sport.
  • How realistic it is to never compare yourself to anyone.
  • How focusing on creating the best version of yourself can free you from the comparison trap.
  • What is Mozart’s least favorite fowl?

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast157.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:32pm CDT

In this episode (22:14)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban help you practice dog agility more effectively, producing maximal results with minimal time.

You Will Learn

  • What exactly constitutes “practice” when you’re training dog agility.
  • How being on the edge of your comfort zone is critical to a successful practice.
  • Why you should avoid Facebook when you train.
  • How elite athletes use relatively short but frequent sessions with breaks to maximize performance.
  • Why you should incorporate visualization into your practice routine.
  • Who’s better at grammar; Isaac or Sarah?

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast156.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:11pm CDT

In this episode (18:34)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk about some negative feelings that might be keeping you from setting goals for 2017.

You Will Learn

  • How fear, shame and uncertainty can negatively impact your goal setting.
  • Why to be wary of tunnel vision.
  • Why tunnel vision can hold you back from reaching your goals.
  • How to push beyond your comfort zone without suffering from delusions of grandeur.
  • How to power a soccer stadium.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast155.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:36pm CDT

In this episode (38:58)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban talk with USA AKC/FCI World Team member Jennifer Crank about being a mom and competitor while managing a human child in the dog agility world.

You Will Learn

  • How far along in their pregnancies both Jennifer and Sarah ran agility.
  • How Jennifer started in the sport as a very young child.
  • Why it’s helpful to establish a relationship with children and their parents at trials if your dog is not good with children.
  • How children can help prepare your dog for big events like Westminster.
  • How and why unsanctioned “Cup” events are starting to appear here in the United States.
  • A clever thing to say to a vending machine.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast154.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:48pm CDT

In this episode (26:17)

In this podcast, Sarah and Esteban talk with John Nys, the overall winner of this year’s Masters Agility Championship at Westminster about the show, the courses, the crowds, and Madison Square Garden!

You Will Learn

  • How border collie Trick overcame injury to win Westminster.
  • How the audience impacts the atmosphere of the trial.
  • How John managed running two dogs in the televised final.
  • What kind of impact Westminster is having on the sport of dog agility.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast153.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:10pm CDT

In this episode (17:52)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban explore social networks in dog agility and share 3 tips for creating your very own powerful support system to get you through the tough times.

You Will Learn

  • Why developing your own social network in agility is important.
  • How to develop your personal network by casting a wide net, being proactive, and using technology.
  • How to approach strangers at dog shows (with a video example).
  • A safe, constructive way to complain/vent without offending others or being attacked.

Mentioned

Flow is Flow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I96EZ3203-Q

Direct download: BDAPodcast152.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:43pm CDT

In this episode (39:45)

In this podcast, judge Janet Gauntt joins Sarah and Esteban to discuss the video review process that was highlighted at the 2016 USDAA Cynosport.

You Will Learn

  • How the video review process works.
  • Which aspects of the run are reviewed.
  • Who is involved in the review process.

Mentioned

Direct download: BDAPodcast151.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:11pm CDT

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