In this episode (31:41)

In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban show why the tunnel may be a far more complex obstacle than most competitors realize.

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

• 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

In this episode (26:00)

In this podcast episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban help you prepare for winter training!

You Will Learn

• How to create a plan for your winter season.
• Why you should tailor your training to the individual dog.
• Which agility behaviors can be taught without equipment.
• Why top competitors focus on conditioning.
• How to develop drive, focus, and motivation away from equipment.
• When you should take a complete break from agility.

In this episode (20:04)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban explain what “call-offs” are and how they impact our handling and our dogs on course.

You Will Learn

• The definition of a “call-off”.
• The pros and cons of call-offs.
• The difference between proactive and reactive handling.
• How various dogs respond differently to call-offs.

Mentioned/Related

• Episode 246: Should You React or Anticipate in Dog Agility?

In this episode (19:05)

In this episode, Jennifer and Sarah help Esteban overcome his lack of motivation to train.

You Will Learn

• How to motivate yourself to train when you don’t feel like.
• How to schedule your training.
• Why you should set the bar low.

Mentioned/Related

• Episode 146: Record Keeping Trick for Dog Agility
• Episode 82: What To Do When You Feel Overwhelmed
• And YES, Esteban DID train his dog!

In this episode (37:41)

In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban have a detailed discussion on why some dogs have better contacts in training than in trials, and how you can fix that.

You Will Learn

• Common mistakes made when trainers try to fix contact issues.
• How to reward your dog for good contacts at a trial without taking food into the ring.
• Why and how to leave the ring with your dog for a contact error.
• Why you should leave the training field with your dog for a contact error.
• How to properly reward your dog in training during contact work.

Mentioned

• Episode 111: The Myth of the Ring-Wise Dog
• Episode 247: Interview with Greg Derrett on UKI At Home Agility Program
• Episode 257: Consistent Contact Criteria

In this episode (50:28)

In this episode, the team discusses the impact of Covid-19 on major dog agility events in the United States, highlighting various adjustments and postponements including the recently announced changes for Westminster 2021.

You Will Learn

• How Covid-19 has impacted major agility events.
• How the US Open went 100% virtual.
• What Covid-19 precautions are in effect at the AKC Invitational.
• When European Tryouts for Team USA have been postponed to.
• Westminster’s new date and location for 2021.
• Why dog agility is being featured on a South Korean variety show.
• The important of mask wearing to the future of dog agility.
• Esteban’s thoughts on vaccine development.

Mentioned

• Westminster Date/Location Change Announcement
• Episode 247: Interview with Greg Derrett on UKI At Home Agility Program
• AKC Agility Invitational COVID Guidelines
• AKC Agility Mask Policy
• 2020 Idol Star Dog-agility Championships on Viki.com
• BDA Preview: 2020 Idol Star Dog Agility Championships

In this episode (39:25)

In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban highlight the challenges of dog agility’s “extending” obstacles: the tire, the double/ascending, the triple, the panel, the wall/viaduct, and the broad/long jump.

You Will Learn

• Why these obstacles tend to cause dogs to extend their jumping/striding.
• How dogs measure their take off point: which bar do they consider the “main” one?
• How to overcome problems with specialty jumps.

Mentioned

• New Online Course: The Invitational Prep Course

In this episode (19:40)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about cheerleading in dog agility.

You Will Learn

• Why people use cheerleading in dog agility.
• Why cheerleading may not be the fix you think it is.
• When cheerleading is okay.
• Which BDA instructor was a cheerleader in the movie Bring It On.

In this episode (19:43)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban discuss the three elements of “wise feedback” in dog agility. Learn how you can give yourself (or your students) more valuable feedback that leads to immediate improvement.

You Will Learn

• What the three elements of wise feedback are.
• Common feedback mistakes that handlers make.
• Why high standards are important for feedback.
• Why instruction is more helpful than evaluation.