Bad Dog Agility Podcast

In this episode (26:15)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban share some things they’ve learned from raising two puppies at the same time.

You Will Learn

  • how puppy personalities affect training
  • if fear periods are real
  • how puppies comunicate
  • why puppies are not small dogs
  • how dog people idealize previous dogs
Direct download: BDAPodcast235.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:48pm CDT

In this episode (20:37)

In this episode, we discuss how to use non qualifying runs to improve your agility.

You Will Learn

  • Why taping non qualifying runs is important.
  • Why we set up problem sequences from trials as soon as possible.
  • How to use non qualifying runs to boost your confidence for future trials.
Direct download: BDAPodcast234.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:13pm CDT

In this episode (54:57)

In this episode, Denise Fenzi returns to the podcast to talk about the common strategies that we use to help our dogs cope with distractions and anxiety-provoking situations in agility.

You Will Learn

  • the relationship between a dog’s emotional state and agility performance
  • how counterconditioning should work
  • why distraction training often fails
  • how to build your dog’s confidence

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast233.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm CDT

In this episode (56:52)

In this episode, Tamás Tráj joins the podcast to discuss course design, safety and international agility.

You Will Learn

  • How Tamás approaches course design.
  • Why Hungary added a 4th jump height.
  • What factors are influencing the possible addition of jump heights to FCI agility.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast232.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:13am CDT

In this episode (38:52)

Dr. Amy Cook joins Sarah and Esteban to talk about noise sensitivity in agility dogs. Dr. Cook earned her PhD in Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley and has been training dogs and dog trainers for 25 years. Part 2 of 2.

You Will Learn

  • Why agility dogs can be very sensitive to noises.
  • Common noises that often cause problems for agility dogs.
  • How to implement the solution to noise issues.
  • What type of conditioning you need to fix the problem.
  • How to “prehab” rather than “rehab” your agility dog.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast231.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:23am CDT

In this episode (35:32)

Dr. Amy Cook joins Sarah and Esteban to talk about noise sensitivity in agility dogs. Dr. Cook earned her PhD in Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley and has been training dogs and dog trainers for 25 years. Part 1 of 2.

You Will Learn

  • Why agility dogs can be very sensitive to noises.
  • Common noises that often cause problems for agility dogs.
  • How to implement the solution to noise issues.
  • What type of conditioning you need to fix the problem.
  • How to “prehab” rather than “rehab” your agility dog.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast230.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:51pm CDT

In this episode (54:19)

In this episode, Sarah Stremming joins the podcast to discuss dogs that are too worked up/high drive/over-aroused to perform in the agility ring.

You Will Learn

  • Signs of an overly worked up or over-aroused dog.
  • “Tag-along” behaviors often seen with these dogs.
  • How agility dogs today differ from previous generations with respect to arousal and prey/bite drive.
  • Solutions for working with the over-aroused dog.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast229.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:13pm CDT

In this episode (19:19)

In this episode, we interview four handlers who will be competing at the FCI Agility World Championship in Turku, Finland on September 19-22, 2019.

You Will Learn

  • Each handler’s history at the AWC.
  • What specific skills each handler has been working on to prepare for this event.
  • What trends have been identified from this year’s judges.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast228.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:50am CDT

In this episode (23:53)

In this episode, we talk about the upcoming FCI Agility World Championship, and why you should watch it.

You Will Learn

  • Why people watch the AWC.
  • How to shop for you next dog at the AWC.
  • How course maps are distributed differently around the world.
  • The difference between the livestream and our “AWC Experience” online event.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast227.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:47pm CDT

In this episode (20:07)

In this episode, Jennifer and Sarah talk about whether it is better to teach one skill until mastered, or to rotate skills.

You Will Learn

  • What skills we prefer to teach as quickly as possible once training begins.
  • How we use contrast training to test our dogs and train multiple skills at one time.
  • How to structure your training sessions to reduce mental and physical fatigue.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast226.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:38pm CDT

In this episode (20:45)

Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban discuss how agility handlers can maximize their Return On Investment (ROI) in dog training.

You Will Learn

  • How you can use ROI to decide what skills to train in practice.
  • How to avoid a negative ROI.
  • How eliminating unnecessary training can help you get better, faster.
Direct download: BDAPodcast225.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:34am CDT

In this episode (27:29)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah and Esteban talk about success in the sport of dog agility: how do we define it and how do our perceptions of success influence our training and trialing?

You Will Learn

  • The difference between traditional and non-traditional definitions of success in agility.
  • How to define your own success in agility.
  • Why success should not equate to self-esteem.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast224.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:52pm CDT

In this episode (35:19)

Dr. Schaezler joins the BDA podcast to prepare you and your dog for the dangers of summer, 2019 edition.

You will learn about the health impact of:

  • acute water intoxication
  • heat stroke
  • drinking puddles
  • drinking ocean water
  • chlorinated and salt water pools
  • hurricane prep
  • microchipping
  • encountering possums, raccoons, and cats
  • snake bites
  • eating dead or living rodents
  • hot sidewalks
  • thorns/foxtails
  • bee/wasp stings
  • thunderstorms

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast223.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:08pm CDT

In this episode (30:03)

Members of the Aces High Flyball Team that won Crufts join Sarah and Esteban to talk about breeding, raising, training, and competing with their dogs in the great sport of flyball.

You Will Learn

  • Traits that make great flyball dogs.
  • Why Whippets are gaining popularity as sport dogs.
  • Why flyball competitors value tugging.
  • How social media increased visibility for flyball around the world.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast222.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:17pm CDT

In this episode (21:58)

In this episode, Sarah and Jennifer share six things you can do today to help your dogs that gets distracted or shuts down in training or trialing.

You Will Learn

  • How to increase your rate of reinforcement to keep your distracted dog engaged.
  • How a focus on transitions changed how Jennifer teaches live classes.
  • How to use different leashes to improve your crate to crate routine.
  • How to predict where your dog will become distracted on course.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast221.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:55pm CDT

In this episode (36:12)

In this episode, Jennifer Crank shares her experience as the 16″ winner at the inaugural AKC Agility Premier Cup by EEM.

You Will Learn

  • How the event was run.
  • Who won the $10,000 prize pool.
  • What was in the VIP area for competitors.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast220.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:08pm CDT

In this episode (43:55)

In this episode, Sarah, Esteban and Jennifer share how they are using 8 tips to improve their attitudes in agility!

You Will Learn

  • Which specific actions to take when you’re having a bad day.
  • Why you should surround yourself with positive people.
  • The value of complimenting a stranger.
  • Why it’s important to give your instructor feedback.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast219.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:44am CDT

In this episode (40:08)

In this episode, reigning AKC 20″ National Agility Champion Sarah Baker joins the podcast to talk about puppies!

You Will Learn

  • 3 tips for working with puppies
  • How to set your own expectations for your puppy
  • Why your dog may not actually be a reflection of your training

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast218.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:07pm CDT

In this episode (29:08)

In this episode, 2019 Crufts Championship Winner and British Open Winner Dan Shaw joins the podcast.

You Will Learn

  • How Dan got his start in agility.
  • How Geek got his name.
  • Why Dan values calm and thoughtful over frantic.
  • How Dan gets an amazing teeter performance.
  • Whether or not Dan’s next dog will have running contacts.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast217.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:10am CDT

In this episode (1:12:03)

In this episode, the 2019 AKC 20″ National Agility Champion Sarah Baker teams up with Jennifer and Esteban to bring you the wrap up for nationals!

You Will Learn

  • how many dogs have won multiple AKC nationals finals
  • the qualifying rate in finals over the past 3 years
  • how the 8″ class has changed over the past 3 years
  • how Jennifer Crank dealt with the disappointment of losing in Finals–twice
  • how Sarah Baker dealt with the pressure of running in Finals
  • why the 20″ Preferred winner was denied the national title by AKC
  • which groups of dogs have been given an unfair advantage by the AKC
  • what USDAA does better than the AKC

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast216.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:22pm CDT

In this episode (22:33)

In this episode, AKC Director of Agility Carrie DeYoung stops by to talk about the AKC’s newest marquee event–the AKC Agility Premier Cup Presented by EEM.

You Will Learn

  • Why this event is happening.
  • Who was invited to compete and why.
  • How the event will be structured and run.
  • How the $10,000 prize pool will be distributed.
  • Plans for the future of this event.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast215.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:44pm CDT

In this episode (20:02)

In this episode, Jennifer and Sarah address the differences between training a skill that encourages a thoughtful response from the dog and training a skill in a higher drive state.

You Will Learn

  • Why you need to recognize whether you are encouraging a thoughtful response or a more action-oriented response.
  • How to bridge the gap between thinking and action.
  • How to manipulate food to increase your dog’s drive for the reward.
  • How to manipulate toys to decrease your dog’s drive for the reward.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast214.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:52pm CDT

In this episode (31:15)

In this podcast, Jennifer and Esteban interview Perry DeWitt, the Masters Agility Champion from this year’s Masters Agility Championship at Westminster.

You Will Learn

  • All about border collie Verb.
  • How Perry uses a strict visualization routine in agility.
  • Why Perry’s agility career was possibly delayed by 5 years.
  • The top 10 dogs registered in the AKC in 2017 and why it matters to dog agility.

Mentioned/Related

Watch Perry and Verb

Direct download: BDAPodcast213.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:07am CDT

In this episode (26:09)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah and Esteban address the question of whether or not agility handlers should use video analysis.

You Will Learn

  • How video review is different from video analysis.
  • How most people analyze videos today.
  • The relationship between video analysis and visualization.
  • Common barriers to video analysis

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast212.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:09pm CDT

In this episode (14:59)

In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban talk about the important of handling flexibility in dog agility.

You Will Learn

  • How handling flexibility can help you run better on course.
  • Two types of handling flexibility.
  • How to develop flexibility in training sessions.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast211.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:50pm CDT

In this episode (33:35)

In this episode, the BDA team discusses goal setting for big agility events.

You Will Learn

  • The difference between a dream and a goal.
  • How to create goals based on a specific agility event.
  • Specific examples of goals from Jennifer and Esteban.
  • What to do with your goals after the event.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast210.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:54am CDT

In this episode (31:50)

In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban discuss the blind cross; the pros, the cons, and tips to avoid common mistakes.

You Will Learn

  • How the blind cross can help people who lose their place on course.
  • How the blind cross can help people with physical limitations.
  • Why blind crosses may require the handler to be further ahead than the front cross.
  • Two common mistakes to avoid when executing a blind cross.

Mentioned/Related

Direct download: BDAPodcast209.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:25am CDT

1