Bitches in Season

This week we sit down with Sarah Rutland to talk about performance Papillons, building a breeding program, and the completely normal amount of emotional attachment one can have to a tiny French dog named Primo. Sarah shares how she got started in agility, why she fell in love with Papillons, and what eventually pushed her to start breeding dogs specifically for performance sports. We get into bree...

This week, we’re sitting down with our dear friend and honorary "Bitch in Season," Sydney Bates.   If you’ve been around the Philadelphia dog scene, you might have seen Sydney at one of about a dozen types of dog sport events! With 15 years in the game, she’s truly a dog sport Renaissance woman. In this episode, we’re going totally off-script to talk about Sydney’s wild journey through the dog wor...

This week we’re joined by Kelly Peterson of Dognerd Animal Talent, and this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes chaos. If you’ve ever wondered how dogs end up in commercials, TV shows, or modeling tiny outfits for major brands, this one’s for you. Kelly shares how she went from working in entertainment to building a business casting and training animal talent, plus what really happens on set...

After an accidental hiatus (oops… one week turned into many), we’re back and more unhinged than ever. This episode is a full-on catch-up: no structure, no plan, just your favorite bitches yapping.   Rachael recaps the absolute chaos that was NAC in California, think 109° heat, RV meltdowns, overheated computers, and Chessy still showing up like the queen she is. Lynsey dives into EO tryouts, minds...

The agility world is fighting on the internet again, so naturally, we had to talk about it.    On this week's episode of Bitches in Season, we are unpacking the hot debate regarding balanced training in dog sports. But before we judge, we confess. All three of us share our personal stories of using e-collars and prongs in the past, the mistakes we made, and the specific moments that changed our mi...

We love a cross-generational bestie! This week, Charly Teller joins the chat to prove that agility friendships have no age limit, whether you’re 20 or 80.   We talk about her journey from Junior World Team competitor to pre-vet school student, and why her dad is secretly the ultimate Agility Gossip Girl (seriously, he knows more tea than we do)   We also dive into our own cringey childhood stories...

This week we’re sitting down with Tori of Wild at Heart Pet Company - creative chaos, business brains, and one of the kindest humans in dog sporting gear. We get into the real story behind building a brand from nothing, terrifying first investments, and why “overnight success” is a lie.   From soggy first setups and mental breakdowns in parking lots to becoming a must-stop booth at major events, T...

This week, we got to chat with an actual renaissance woman and total badass: McKenzie Minto: Team USA veteran, UKI Judge, and Co-Director of the amazing Boundless Junior Agility Company (BJAC). Oh, and she has a 9-5 too! Seriously, what can't she do? McKenzie is a pro at setting audacious goals, making no apologies for being an ambitious young woman, and always enjoying the journey.   McKenzie sta...

Bitch, say cheese! This week’s episode features the one and only Nadia Hall, the owner of Barking Dog Images and the talent behind some of agility’s most iconic shots!   From freezing those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments in the ring to understanding what makes each dog shine, Nadia gives us a behind-the-lens look at the artistry, chaos, and emotion of capturing our sport.   We chat about what it...

You already knew we were opinionated bitches and this week, we’re proving it! You asked, and we answered with our most unfiltered thoughts yet. From the latest internet agility drama to the ongoing debate about the too-high, too-skinny dog walk, we’re tackling the topics everyone’s buzzing about with zero filter.   Tune in for a full dose of honesty, laughter, and the occasional gasp as we share w...

This week on Bitches in Season, we’re serving up a hot take you need to hear: Bitch, Don’t Skip the Basics! Yeah, we know, start lines and flatwork don’t sound as fun as international courses and tricky threadles, but here’s the truth: if you don’t nail the fundamentals, that fancy stuff is gonna fall apart real quick.   We’re dragging ourselves a little this week, spilling the tea on the cringe-w...

Ever wondered what's really going through a judge's mind when you step to the line? This week, the bitches are getting the ultimate inside scoop from the other side of the score table. We're sitting down with UKI judge and competitor Gracie Huffman for a tell-all conversation about the world of agility judging.   We're getting a judge's-eye view on everything from course design and handler mistake...

That feeling when it turns out that your "perfect" prospect isn’t the perfect fit? Yeah, let's talk about it. In this episode, "Rehoming Dogs," we're having the conversation nobody wants to have but some of us have experienced, making the call to find the right place for the dog that didn’t work out. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty of what to do when your dream dog doesn't fit into your life,...

Welcome to the first-ever "Listener Tails" episode! You sent in your juiciest, most dramatic agility trial stories, and we are here to dissect it all. In this episode, we're reading your anonymous submissions about the chaos of dogs sports.  Get ready for stories about: - Drama in and out of the ring! - Shocking moments of unkindness to dogs and people :( - And an infamous facility known for fight...

This week, the bitches are getting physical! We're joined by special guest Dr. Tim Corker DPT, CCAT, ART to talk all things canine rehab and bodywork. We'll be discussing our own experiences with rehab, including those mysterious post-run behaviors and soreness that left us scratching our heads.   Tim will break down what canine rehab actually is and why it's so critical for performance dogs. Get...

It's the reeeemiiiixxx! In this episode, we're diving headfirst into the hotly requested topic of sport mixes in the agility world. We're breaking down what separates a purposefully bred performance dog from a "designer" pet mix. We also couldn't hold back on our thoughts about popular pet mixes, and why we think there's a big difference between breeding for function versus breeding for "fluff." ...

Ever wondered about the unsung heroes of agility trials? This week, we're giving a loving shoutout to our very own "bucket bitches"! We're defining the term (it's a term of endearment, we swear!) and dishing on how our partners really feel about our chaotic hobby. We're getting into how this sport has impacted our relationships, from the amazing moments to the "not-so-great" ones when our weekends...

This week on "Bitches in Controversy," we're diving into the drama that follows us around the agility world!  First up, Rachael gets real about people underestimating her Corgi just because of her breed and size. Then, Lynsey addresses the infamous "pink shorts" incident and the ringside commentary about more than just her handling. Lastly, Lizzie spills all the details about how her Aussie Cassia...

This week, we’re decoding the chaos, jeopardy style. From dog sport phrases to conformation confusion, we’re breaking down the terms that make it feel like everyone’s speaking a different language. We play a game, drop some new sticker-worthy catchphrases, and keep things fun and slightly unhinged. Whether you’re deep in the sport or watching from the side lines, this one’s for you.

Our first hot take! The bitches are tackling a controversial topic that has the dog sport world divided: Should bitches in season be allowed to compete? We're diving headfirst into the drama, discussing which sports and venues allow it and which ones don't. We'll get into the arguments on both sides, from concerns about distracting male dogs to the unfairness of female dogs having to pull out of b...

Okay, buckle up for episode 2: "What do these bitches do?" Ever wonder what these agility-obsessed besties get up to when we’re not just gossiping? This week we are diving deep into the wild world of agility venues! Talking about our journeys through CPE, AKC, UKI, USDAA, and all the rest. Find out which ones we live for, which ones we ensure, and all our hot takes on navigating the alphabet soup...

Welcome to the very first episode of Bitches in Season where we answer the question "Who Are These Bitches?" Join your hosts, Rachael, Lynsey, and Lizzie, three best friends who live and breathe dog agility. In this introductory episode, get to know who we are, where we live, and more than you ever wanted to know about our beloved dogs. We'll share how each of us got started in the exhilarating wo...