Bad Dog Agility Podcast

In this episode (15:25) In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban talk the difference between OVERUSE and MISUSE and dive deeper into what your instructor may mean when using these terms. You Will Learn Why instructors (including us!) should be careful with terminology. Why “overuse” may be misuse in disguise. Why it’s problematic to have one cue for a wide range of responses. Mentioned/Related Episode 63: A Newcomer’s Guide to Handling Systems Episode 30: Analyzing Mistakes and a Look at Systems

In this episode (29:45) In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban talk how having goals for trialing, beyond ribbons and titles, can help you improve your dog agility performance. You Will Learn How being clear on your trialing goals can save you time and money. What Jennifer and Esteban do with their ribbons. How your goals can shift through a dog’s career. How you can structure your goals leading to big events. Mentioned/Related Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure

In this episode (33:17) In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban talk about “playing it safe” when you’re running an agility course. When should you play it safe? What are the pros and cons of playing it safe? You Will Learn What it means to “play it safe”. When handlers should or should not play it safe. Why Esteban changed his approach in recent years. How Jennifer changed her approach over the years. How to determine what is best for you and your dog. Mentioned 2014 AKC NAC Round 1 Wrap Choice – Pace vs Gitchi Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure

n this episode (25:29) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban discuss the evolution of how people manage their dogs during classes—when it’s NOT their turn. You Will Learn Different strategies for managing your dog, including a leash, cot/bed, or crate. Pros and cons of each strategy. What the BDA team prefers to use when training alone vs in a class or seminar. Mentioned Episode 1: Using a Crate During Training

In this episode (35:33) In this podcast, the BDA crew share how the sport shapes their fashion choices on course! You Will Learn Why Jennifer never wears sunglasses. How people with long hair might benefit from a ponytail. How your clothing choices may affect your dog’s performance.

In this episode (34:06) In this podcast Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban answer your question “When do most people move their dog to preferred/performance/select for the lower jump height?” You Will Learn The most common reasons people move their dogs to a lower height class. How your dog may benefit from jumping a lower height. Factors to consider as your dog ages. Mentioned Jennifer Crank and Bee Place in all Four Rounds at the AKC European Open Team Tryouts Sarah Baker’s Online Course: Agility Foundation for Puppies and Young Dogs (featuring 2022 EO Team Member Skeptic) ETO –> Early Take Off

In this episode (30:26) In this episode, Sarah and Esteban discuss the timing of verbal cues. You Will Learn Whether or not you need verbal cues. Why it’s important to know how verbal your dog really is. When to give verbal cues. Common mistakes people make when using verbal cues. Mentioned Episode 76: Verbal Cues in Dog Agility The 20 Foot Trap How Committed Are You? Episode 187: Physical and Mental Commitment

In this episode (54:21) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah and Esteban talk with Kathy Keats about dogs, sport, and life. You Will Learn Why mindset is important for beginners. How handlers can improve their mindset. What it means to be “in the zone”. Why handlers underperform at big events. How to separate your agility results from your self-worth. Mentioned/Related The Kathy Keats Show (Podcast) Kathy Keats’ Website Episode 159: Handler Muscle Memory for Dog Agility

In this episode (17:30) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban explain how they use back-chaining and forward-chaining to help dogs learn more quickly. You Will Learn What back-chaining is and when to use it. What forward-chaining is and when to use it. Which technique is more favored by Bad Dog Agility instructors. Mentioned A Quick Training Tip for Improving 2 On 2 Off Contact Performance

In this episode (19:40) In this episode, the BDA coaches give handlers advice on what to do when things start off poorly at a trial that’s very important to them. You Will Learn How the format of the event impacts handler psychology. Jennifer’s 3 step plan for dealing with early disappointment. Esteban’s key tip for moving on after a bad run.

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.