In this episode (14:29)

In this episode, Jennifer and Esteban share their not-so-secret agility trial eating habits with Sarah.

You Will Learn

• What Jennifer and Esteban eat at big agility events.
• How they time their meals around agility runs.
• What snacks they prefer for quick energy.
• The #1 thing agility competitors forgot to consume, especially in the winter.

In this episode (1:08:22)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban welcome special guest Tim Verrelli, judge of the AKC National Agility Championship Finals. Podcast co-host Jennifer Crank doubles as a special guest as she won the 16″ Finals at this event.

You Will Learn

• Who won the NAC and PNAC titles this year.
• Which podcast participant has been doing agility the longest.
• What breeds Tim has run in agility.
• When Tim designed the Finals course.
• Why Esteban loved the Finals course.
• What obstacle replaces the chute in AKC.
• How Jennifer won her 2nd NAC in 3 years with P!nk with the fastest time in all heights.
• How the ESPN broadcast affected the Finals.
• Why ESPN cut 10 dogs out of the Finals broadcast on ESPN2.
• How livestream comments about preferred dogs created a controversy.
• When and where the Premier Cup will take place.

Mentioned/Related

• Esteban’s AKC NAC Finals Map Analysis
• Watch Jennifer and P!nk's Winning Run

In this episode (17:57)

In this episode, the BDA team discusses one of the most classic jump sequences in all of agility: the pinwheel.

You Will Learn

• What a pinwheel is.
• How most people handle pinwheels.
• Problems people encounter on pinwheels.
• Why dogs sometimes mistakenly turn away from the handler on pinwheels.
• How to handle pinwheels better.
• How to vary your reinforcement schedule to help your dog stay motivated on pinwheels.

In this episode (18:56)

In this episode, Sarah and Jennifer discuss how to help our dog be successful and improve their learning at the same time.

You Will Learn

• Why helping your dog be correct doesn’t always teach your dog the right lesson.
• How you can help your dog without changing your handling.
• Why it’s helpful to work through problems when they occur.

Mentioned/Related

• How to Help Your Agility Dog Get It Right
• On the Job Training using Placement of Reward

In this episode (34:35)

In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban share their own experiences with nerves before an agility run.

You Will Learn

• What you can learn from your nerves.
• How you can alleviate your nerves by taking a closer look.
• How nerves change depending on the dog on and context.
• How great athletes handle nerves at big events.

Mentioned/Related

• Are you 98% excited and 2% scared? Or 98% scared and 2% excited? 🙂
• Episode 169: Creating a Crate to Crate Routine

In this episode (34:35)

In this episode, Sarah and Jennifer discuss the process of constructing a building for agility.

You Will Learn

• What goes into building a space for agility.
• What factors were most important to Jennifer.
• The pros and cons of renting out your space.
• The maintenance requirements of different surfaces.
• The timeline of Jennifer’s building from the first stake in the ground to when she was given the keys!.

Mentioned/Related

• The turf Jennifer used is True Turf from GrassTex.

In this episode (43:18)

In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban are joined by Chris Kerton aka Kert, Handler Fitness Coach for Team Great Britain and owner of Karma Fitness.

You Will Learn

• How fitness training can be specialized for dog agility handlers.
• Why anaerobic fitness is important for agility.
• How strength training can help prevent injury.
• Why mistakes may be more common toward the end of courses.

Mentioned/Related

• Contact Kert on Facebook
• Train with Kert at Karma Fitness
• Episode 69: Dog Agility – The Great Motivator

In this episode (34:35)

In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban share their tricks for developing new habits that will help your dog agility in 2021.

You Will Learn

• Why you need to move past will power to create new habits.
• How his family locked Esteban out of eating candy.
• Why people like to socialize after an agility trial.
• How to use Netflix to condition your dogs.
• When you might benefit from an accountability partner.

Mentioned/Related

• 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
• Want your own timed lock box? Try this.

In this episode (25:09)

In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban define strategy and execution while exploring the difference between them.

You Will Learn

• The difference between strategy and execution.
• How to use course maps to develop your strategies.
• How to develop strategies without course maps.
• Why visualization can help your strategic planning.
• How instructors can tailor classes for strategy or execution.
• Why execution applies to dog training as well as handling.

Mentioned/Related

• Analyzing Your Mistakes in Dog Agility

In this episode (19:32)

In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban show why the tunnel may be a far more complex obstacle than most competitors realize. (Click here for Part 1)

You Will Learn

• The handling impact of curving or straightening a tunnel.
• How tunnels interact with different dog heights.
• Whether you should train on light or dark-colored tunnels.
• How to properly bag and anchor your tunnel.
• What length tunnel you should train on.
• If “tunnel suckers” actually exist.
• Why handlers shouldn’t get too close to the tunnel.
• How to cue tight turns after the tunnel.
• When to time your verbal cues for the next obstacle after a tunnel.
• How to handle common tunnel traps.

Mentioned/Related

• Episode 129: The Connection Paradigm
• Tunnel Discrimination and Bypass Test
• Can Your Dog Find a BLIND Tunnel Entry?
• Sarah’s Tunnel Bag Recommendation: https://www.tunelypropsy.cz/en/articles/stabilization-bags/fixation-bag-sara/. Customers in the USA can contact Mary Ellen Barry at mebarry@kineticdog.com to place an order.
• Water bags are becoming a popular way to weight your bags rather than dirt. You can pour out the water before transporting bags and refill anywhere there is a hose: https://smartbottleinc.com/product/5-3-gallon