In this episode (32:14)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban highlight recent and upcoming events in the agility world.

You Will Learn

• When and where USDAA Cynosport, UKI’s US Open, the AKC Invitational, Westminster, and the European Open team tryouts will be held.
• Where Jennifer was last weekend.
• How COVID affects these events.

Mentioned

• Previous discussion on the Incredible Dog Challenge: Episode 199: How to Speed Up Your Agility Dog

In this episode (29:17)

In this episode, the BDA team talks about the relationship between speed and accuracy in dog agility.

You Will Learn

• Why many people believe speeding up a dog will decrease accuracy.
• How techniques for improving your course time depends on your situation.
• The #1 easy thing to fix to improve your dog’s course time.
• Why it’s easier to speed up your dog if you’re a really bad handler.

Mentioned

• Swift winning all fours rounds at tryouts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Riu4GoeiCyA
• Episode 179: Which is Faster, a Front Cross or Rear Cross?
• Episode 199: How to Speed Up Your Agility Dog

In this episode (25:48)

Instructors at Bad Dog Agility have been using the Coach’s Eye app to analyze maps and videos of runs for years, but no longer! Coach’s Eye is being retired and users have one year of support from the company. Not to worry, Sarah has already found a replacement app, OnForm.

You Will Learn

• What is happening with Coach’s Eye.
• Sarah’s recommended app to replace Coach’s Eye.
• What Jennifer and Esteban think of the new app.
• Upgrades and differences between Coach’s Eye and the new app.

Mentioned

• Our Recommendation: OnForm
• An example video analysis from our archives: AKC NAC Finals Map Analysis
• An example of side by side analysis (at time 8:45): Did 75% of dogs go the wrong way at AKC Nationals?

In this episode (42:46)

In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban are joined by Lisa Topol, the 2021 AND 2019 Highest Scoring All-American dog at the Masters Agility Championship at Westminster.

You Will Learn

• How Lisa is like Lebron James.
• What you should expect from your rescue dog.
• How Plop got his name.
• Why shelters and rescues are full of great agility prospects.
• Why it is important to know your goal for every agility run.

Mentioned/Related

• https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/training-agility-apartment/

Lisa will soon be offering training at her new facility. Check out the website https://www.weavegottheruns.com/ for details (currently under construction!)

In this episode (14:35)

What would you do if you were without an agility partner for two years? In this podcast, Sarah and Jennifer talk with Collene Gaolach, an agility competitor without a partner who has continued to learn and improve as a handler WITHOUT a dog.

You Will Learn

• Why Collene does agility with “her invisible dog”.
• How walking and running a course without a dog can improve your handling skills.
• How you can quickly set up full courses with placeholders.
• Why the “why’s” of agility are so important.

In this episode (37:09)

This podcast is taken from a live video presentation. In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban explore WHY people love agility and how trainers can use their WHY to map out the next 12 months of their agility lives.

You Will Learn

• The 9 categories of why people do agility.
• How your “why” affects your planning.
• What happens when your goal setting doesn’t match up with your “why”.

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about private lessons in dog agility and how you can use them more effectively.

You Will Learn

• Differences in private lessons between novice and advanced handlers.
• Why setting expectations is important.
• How to maximize your learning during a private lesson.
• How private lessons can be used in a variety of ways.

In this episode (38:37)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban apply concepts from “How to Get a Perfect 1600 SAT Score” to dog agility. Implement these study habits to your training for maximum results!

You Will Learn

• How to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality practice.
• How to emphasize quality over quantity.
• How to be ruthless about understanding your mistakes.
• How to find patterns in your weaknesses.
• How to eliminate careless errors.
• How to develop amazing study habits.
• How to deal with pressure.

Mentioned/Related

• The “Inspiration” Article
• Episode 14: Agility Instructors, They’re G-r-r-reat!
• Episode 30: Analyzing Mistakes and a Look at Systems
• Episode 212: Do You Really Need Video Analysis?

In this episode (43:30)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about running other people’s dogs, including why and how they do it.

You Will Learn

• Why people ask other people to run their dog.
• Why you need the “keys to the car” to make it work.
• How your training and handling strategies depend on exactly why you’re running someone else’s dog.
• Why you should consider pet insurance for someone else’s dog.
• Why people co-own dogs in agility.
• Tips for a successful team approach to dog agility.

In this episode (34:24)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban reveal the many factors handlers have to take into consideration when they answer the question, “Should I convert my stopped contact to a running contact?”

You Will Learn

• Why there’s sometimes a penalty for teaching old dogs new tricks.
• What makes you and your a stronger or weaker candidate for retraining.
• The difference between converting a dogwalk or a-frame.
• How much time you will likely gain after making the switch.
• Whether your dog’s breed or size really matters.