In this episode (48:02)

In this episode, newly crowned AKC National Agility Champions Emily Klarman and Perry DeWitt talk about the this year’s event!

You Will Learn

• What was going through Perry’s mind as she sat on the hot seat for over a dozen dogs on the way to capturing the win.
• Perry’s advice to Emily just before Finals.
• What Perry, Emily and Jenn thought of the new schedule/format.

Mentioned/Related

• Train with Perry and Emily at United Dog.
• March 22th, 2023 Wednesday Wrap Up (AKC Nationals)
• The Evolution of the AKC National Agility Championship Finals Course
• The Challengers Map
• The Finals Map

In this episode (29:31)

In this episode, the BDA team talks about how we approach training as we get closer and closer to a big event.

You Will Learn

• Why Jennifer and Esteban resist “bubble wrapping” their dogs before big events.
• Why you should focus on rate of reinforcement if you make a mistake in a trial close to the big event.
• Why Esteban often skips the practice run.
• How your focus on mistakes in the past can cause additional mistakes in the future.

Mentioned/Related

• Episode 189: How to Structure Your Dog Agility Season
• Join our mailing list to get the Wednesday Wrap-Up in your email! This link will take you to a free Front Cross training video AND sign you up for the mailing list.
• Check out the Before and After online course (registration closes March 16th, 11:59pm)

In this episode (31:16)

In this episode, the BDA team talks about preparing for a new puppy.

You Will Learn

• How Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban prepare for each new puppy.
• How to use your day to day routine to create a supplies list.
• Jenn’s shopping weakness.
• The one essential tool that Jenn only uses with new puppies.

Mentioned/Related

• Don’t forget your:
  • Crates (LOT OF CRATES!)
  • Crate covers
  • X-Pens
  • Gates
  • Harness
  • Snuffle Mat
  • Antlers
  • Puzzles and Enrichment Games
  • Hol-ee Roller

In this episode (33:07)

In this episode, the BDA team ponders the question: is there ever a time when a handler-dog team should NOT improve on or acquire a new skill?

You Will Learn

• How your agility instructor influences your decision making.
• How to prevent yourself from “settling” for a suboptimal performance.
• How to challenge your dog and yourself on course.
• When settling for less is okay.
• How Jennifer and Sarah are preparing people for the AKC National Agility Championship in March.

Mentioned/Related

• Episode 225: Using ROI to Structure Your Training
• Episode 250: Is Your Dog Agility “Good Enough”

(Photo Credit: Great Dane Photography)

In this episode (36:56)

In this episode, 20″ AKC Invitational winner Jane Bronson joins the podcast to talk about her dogs and multi-year experience at the event.

You Will Learn

• How to pronounce nederlandse kooikerhondje.
• What it takes to make the finals at the AKC Invitational.
• What Jane and Jennifer thought of the course designs.
• How AKC.tv covered the event.

Mentioned/Related

• Watch the Invitational on AKC.tv
• Check out the Finals Map.
• Course Design Trends at the AKC Invitational
• Episode 202: AKC Invitational with Carrie DeYoung
• How to say Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
• The AKC Standard for the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje.

In this episode (39:37)

In this episode, the BDA crew helps you start your 2023 with an agility flourish as they tackle the issue of New Year’s resolutions, including pros and cons, as well as tips for success.

You Will Learn

• Why you should or (shouldn’t) make New Year’s Resolutions.
• How goal setting and action planning are different.
• How the intention-behavior gap affects your New Year’s resolutions.
• How approach goals and avoidance goals impact your psychology.
• What the acronym SMART stands for.
• How hard your goals should be.

Mentioned/Related

• Goal Setting and Action Planning for Health Behavior Change
• Episode 274: 21 Days to a Better 2021
• Episode 210: How to Goal Set for Big Events in 2019
• Episode 155: Three Emotions Keeping You From Setting Agility Goals
• Episode 44: Dog Agility Dreams & Goals
• Achieve Your Dog Agility Goals

(Photo Credit: A. Wooten Photography)

In this episode (38:09)

In this episode, the BDA crew identifies top priorities for people’s winter agility training outside of the ring.

You Will Learn

• What skills you can teach and/or improve outside of the ring.
• Why winter might be a great time to get a new dog or puppy.
• Why Esteban started the Wednesday Wrap Up
• How the decline of USDAA and growth of UKI might be related.
• How Jennifer qualified a sheltie for the AKC Invitational.

Mentioned/Related

• Does Your Dog Check Out When You Lead Out? (Facebook Live)
• Episode 189: How to Structure Your Dog Agility Season
• Episode 202: AKC Invitational with Carrie DeYoung
• Soccer vs Football Linguistic History
• December 7, 2022 Wednesday Wrap Up (EOTT, Cynosport, Holiday Movies)
• Episode 154: Kids and Dogs and Jennifer Crank

In this episode (23:52)

In this episode, we talk with Paul Campanella and Tom Bradley about the non-profit Take the Lead. “Take the Lead was established in 1993 to provide direct services, support and care for those in the purebred dog community who were facing the devastating challenges of life-threatening or terminal illness. In addition, we are now able to provide assistance in cases of civil disasters.”

You Will Learn

• The story behind Take the Lead.
• How to apply for assistance from Take the Lead.
• How you can contribute to Take the Lead.
• A sneak peek into the 10th Anniversary of the Masters Agility Championship at Westminster!

Mentioned/Related

• Take the Lead
• Support the Take the Lead Mission by becoming a member: https://takethelead.org/membership/

In this episode (29:01)

In this episode, we talk with junior handler Jada Sawhney who just came back from the Border Collie Specialty and the Incredible Dog Challenge with podium finishes!

You Will Learn

• How Jada got started in agility.
• Why we chose Jada as a Bad Dog Agility Sponsored Athlete.
• How the opportunities for juniors have changed over the last 15 years.
• How the Border Collie Specialty and the Incredible Dog Challenge are structured.
• Why Sarah and Esteban are agility boomers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_LUiuByyPA

Mentioned/Related

• Announcing Jada as a Bad Dog Agility Sponsored Athlete!
• Watch Jada’s runs from the Incredible Dog Challenge.

In this episode (47:44)

In this episode, we talk with Angie Benacquisto, the first American to win the European Open!

You Will Learn

• How Angie prepared herself to be able to run the long lines typical of international agility at the highest levels.
• The effect that the competition rules have on the competitiveness of the event.
• How Angie’s path to gold included 15th non-clean runs.

Mentioned/Related

• Episode 275: Handler Fitness and Agility
• Watch Angie and Sundae’s winning run!