Bad Dog Agility Podcast

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 stra...

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 t...

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...

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....

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 Anticip...

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...

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...

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 Invi...

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" on...

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...

In this episode (23:21) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban explain why dogs head check when they run on course, and how you can eliminate this problem. You Will Learn Why your dog head checks on course. When a head check is not a problem. How to eliminate problematic head checking. Mentioned/Related Episode 246: Should You React or Anticipate in Dog Agility? Episode 170: Homeostasis in...

In this episode (15:35) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about how you can make the best possible use of your training time when you rent a facility or field for agility practice. You Will Learn Why you should have a plan before you arrive at the field. Tips for pre-training preparation. When you should quit before your rental time expires.

In this episode (55:04) This podcast is taken from a live video presentation. In this podcast, Sarah, Esteban and Jennifer use the front cross as an example to show you how to advance from one stage of competence to the next. You Will Learn How to use the knowledge-execution paradigm to advance your skills. The how, what, where, when, and why of front crossing. Why you should practice without the...

In this episode (38:23) This podcast is taken from a live video presentation. In this podcast, Sarah, Esteban and Jennifer discuss how handlers acquire competence in dog agility. Instructors usually talk about training the dog, but we believe the handler has even more to learn than the dog! You Will Learn How to apply the four stages of competence to dog agility. How determining your stage of comp...

In this episode (42:42) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban share their thoughts on two buzzwords for contact performance: "consistency" and "criteria". You Will Learn Why instructors emphasize consistency. How altering your criteria at a trial creates a range of behaviors from your dog. How to fix broken contacts. Why dogs creep down contacts. Mentioned/Related Sarah Stremming and  CogD...

In this episode (34:37) In this episode, we share numerous examples of proofing that you can do with your dog while training. Proofing in practice will give you better performance in the ring as your dog will feel more confident. You Will Learn Why you should proof against distractions that you will likely see at agility trials. The most common distractions a novice dog faces in the ring. At what...

In this episode (46:42) All information is researched but not exhaustive and not reviewed by an outside expert. Although Esteban is a licensed physician, this is NOT medical advice → you should get medical advice specific to your situation and health from your doctor, not from us or this podcast.  CLICK HERE to download this outline as a PDF Why Should We Wear Masks? Study came out 3 weeks ago tit...

In this episode (19:37) In this episode, Sarah Baker joins the podcast to explain the difference between management and training, and how you should apply those concepts to addressing behaviors, from barking in the crate to missed weave pole entries. You Will Learn When you should "manage" and when you should "train". How good management protects your training. Why management is not just for puppi...

In this episode (26:44) In this episode, Sarah and Jennifer discuss different learning patterns you may see in your training and how they affect your planning. You Will Learn Why you should not panic when things seem to fall apart in practice. Why it may be important to keep things the same when your dog struggles. How to recognize when you need a new training approach. Mentioned/Related Episode 7...

In this episode (24:55) In this episode, Sarah and Esteban help you integrate tugging into your agility training. You Will Learn The 5 aspects of tugging. Why tugging has become more valuable in AKC agility. How to overcome weaknesses in your tugging chain. How to avoid a common mistake when using a second toy in retrieve work. Where you can learn how to teach tugging to your dog or students. Ment...

In this episode (28:00) In this episode, the BDA crew shares some ideas for getting the most out of your online learning experience. You Will Learn How to find the right online classes to fill your needs. How many courses you should take at the same time. The pros and cons of Facebook classes. What auditing and visualization have in common. Mentioned/Related Episode 3: Start Line Stays; Online Agi...

In this episode (30:35) In this podcast, we discuss the paradox of choice and the idea of "good enough" as a way to organize your dog agility training. You Will Learn How more choices can lead to less satisfaction. Why perfectionism paralyzes you. How you can use the concept of "good enough" to better you agility training and make difficult decisions. Mentioned/Related The Power of 'Good Enough' T...

In this episode (20:34) In this podcast, Anthony Clarke joins the podcast to talk about this week's 4-day charity event called #AgilityRelief. You Will Learn Why Anthony created this 4-day event. Which charities will be supported. How the challenges are structured. How podcast co-host Jennifer Crank will be involved. How YOU can participate! Mentioned/Related Agility Relief on Facebook Event #1, A...