Bad Dog Agility Podcast

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 The 2019 Nationals Prep Course which closes February 1st.

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 Episode 189: How to Structure Your Dog Agility Season

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 Blind Cross Example Live Session on Blind Crosses Front Cross Example Live Session on Front Crosses Rear Cross Example Live Session on Rear Crosses Webinar: Which Cross Should You Use?

In this episode (38:39) In this episode, Greg Fontaine shares how he has worked with the AKC to experiment with course design strategies aimed at providing better spacing for large dogs. You Will Learn What Greg was trying to achieve with his designs. Two different course design strategies Greg used to provide additional yardage between jumps for large dogs. How these changes were approved organizationally. How these changes were handled logistically. Mentioned/Related AKC Judging Guidelines Training article on how dogs anticipate spacing: The 20 Foot Trap Nested Course Strategy Large Spacing, Closer Traps Strategy

In this episode (29:42) In this podcast, FCI silver medalist Jennifer Crank interviews FCI gold medalist Martina Magnoli Klimešová. You Will Learn What skills and foundation Martina thinks are most important when working with puppies. When Martina starts formal agility training. How Martina approaches mental management. How Martina keeps her dog competitive enough to win gold at 10.5 years old. Mentioned/Related Martina’s Facebook Profile Fit Class for Dogs Episode 159: Handler Muscle Memory for Dog Agility

In this episode (24:49) In this episode, Sarah and Jennifer discuss three key lessons from the Agility World Championship. You Will Learn How Jennifer’s preparation led to her individual silver medal. How your preparation affects your mental management. Why courses today require elite dog training AND handling. Mentioned/Related Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure Watch Jennifer's Silver Medal Runs

In this episode (23:05) In this podcast, Jennifer, Sarah and Esteban give you practical tips for strengthening your dog’s contact obstacle performance. You Will Learn 5 tips for improving contact performance When the color of your contact zone doesn’t matter Common mistakes handlers make when practicing contacts

In this episode (33:45) In this episode, Sarah and Esteban discuss the concept of proofing, pointing out common misconceptions and explaining exactly how you should use proofing in your agility training. You Will Learn How to define proofing. How to use proofing to your maximum advantage. The most common misconception about proofing. Why Americans don’t like the metric system. Mentioned/Related Episode 73: How to Generalize Behaviors with Your Novice Dog Episode 103: Green Dog Gotchas Episode 60: Preparing for Your Novice Debut Episode 203: BDA Goes to SeaWorld San Antonio

In this episode (50:06) In this episode, Sarah and Esteban discuss how training a dolphin to swim upside down can help your dog run faster on course. You Will Learn How SeaWorld trainers use various rewards during training. Which reward surprised Esteban the most. How SeaWorld trainers deal with mistakes. Whether Isaac is better at Math or Dating. Mentioned/Related Episode 49: Using Differential Rewards Episode 160: How to Work Through Mistakes in Your Agility Training Episode 200: Interview with EO Champion Max Sprinz

In this episode (50:09) In this podcast, Director of Agility for the American Kennel Club Carrie DeYoung joins Sarah and Esteban to talk about the upcoming AKC Invitational, which will be held December 14-16, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. You Will Learn Why many agility organizers outside of the United States are interested in the Invitational. How many dogs attend the Invitational. How many dogs compete in AKC Agility. How the junior championship event works. Mentioned/Related How many points does it take to go to the AKC Invitational? The Rarest Breeds at the 2013 AKC Agility Invitational Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure

In this episode (37:33) Esteban and Sarah Fernandezlopez welcome Sarah Baker to the podcast to discuss the European Open and the Border Collie Classic. You Will Learn Who won the European Open Team and Individual events at each height. How the European Open is different than the Agility World Championship. How the Border Collie Classic event is structured. Why clustered times may indicate the course should be harder. Why Isaac has been losing friends. Mentioned/Related YouTube Video: Sarah Baker and Hops at the 2018 European Open, the 2018 Border Collie Classic, and Team USA practice Episode 200: Interview with EO Champion Max Sprinz Episode 85: Have We Solved the Game of Agility?

In this episode (43:16) Jennifer and Sarah welcome 2018 Large Dog European Open Champion Max Sprinz to the podcast. You Will Learn How Max trained Baxx’s running contacts. How Max uses distance skills in his handling. Why Max emphasizes foundation work in his training. German rules on training in the ring. Mentioned/Related YouTube Video: Max and Bäxx at the 2018 European Open Video Analysis of Lisa Frick and Hoss from 2012 Episode 104: Building Confidence Through Challenges

In this episode (37:20) In this podcast, we discuss how you can improve your dog’s time by focusing on efficiency on course and increasing your dog’s natural speed and drive. You Will Learn How the format of the Incredible Dog Challenge differs from all other agility trials. Why your dog doesn’t always need to run faster to get faster times. Three quick tips to improve your dog’s speed. Mentioned/Related Episode 117: Drive for Agility (Three Aspects of Agility Training Part 2) When do Agility Dogs Peak? Episode 49: Using Differential Rewards

In this episode (24:39) In this podcast, Sarah and Jennifer discuss natural versus trained cues and how it affects training time, your mental state, and your dog’s response. You Will Learn Why it’s important to recognize whether a cue or skill is natural or trained. Why it’s important to set proper expectations when teaching new skills. Why you should balance natural skills with trained skills when planning your training. How a natural skill can progress into a trained skill. Mentioned/Related Jennifer’s Commitment Post: “How Committed Are You?”

In this episode (39:52) In this podcast, Sarah, Esteban and Jennifer talk about the 2018 World Agility Open Championship. You Will Learn What events make up the World Agility Open. The unique strategy elements that are part of team roster construction. How the wild card application and selection process works. Mentioned/Related Episode 193: Who is the World Champion in Agility? Watch Jennifer’s 1st place Pentathalon Sweepstakes Run

In this episode (46:44) In this podcast, Sarah and Esteban talk about the table, how to train for it, and whether or not it still belongs in the sport of dog agility. You Will Learn The most common mistakes people make in training the table. How to make your table training more like your table trialing. Why Esteban thinks the table should be discontinued. The official BDA position on “Laurel” vs “Yanny”. Mentioned/Related Post plus video: Having Trouble with the Table?

In this episode (1:04:40) In this podcast, Jennifer Crank and Sarah Baker join Sarah and Esteban for the 2018 AKC/FCI World Team Tryouts wrap up. You Will Learn Which dogs earned automatics spots on Team USA. How the new scoring system affected results. What the competitors thought of the course designs. Why Gitchi did not run in Round 5. Mentioned/Related Q Rates at the 2018 AKC World Team Tryouts

In this episode (16:36) In this episode, Sarah and Jennifer discuss how to deal with forced breaks in your agility training. You Will Learn Why taking a break from agility can be emotionally difficult for many handlers. How you can continue your agility training even if you or your dog are unable to physically practice. How to stay connected to the agility community while you are unable to compete. Mentioned/Related Episode 6: CCL Injuries and TPLO

In this episode (22:14) In this episode, Sarah and Jennifer outline four international championship events and explain how they differ in format, jump height, and governing organizations. You Will Learn Which international organizations are associated with which championship event. Which USA organization controls the team selection for which championship event. The differences in jump heights between the various events. Which championship event does not allow mixed breed dogs. Mentioned/Related IFCS World Agility Championship World Agility Open Championships 2018 European Open (each year has its own website) FCI Agility World Championship (each year has its own website)

In this episode (32:04) In this episode, Sarah and Esteban apply the software development concept of technical debt to dog agility. You Will Learn What technical debt is. What problems in agility can be thought of as technical debt. How to determine the true cost of technical debt to your agility training and trialing. Why you might not need to fix every problem in your agility training and handling. Mentioned/Related Episode 77: The Secret to All of Dog Agility Episode 117: Drive for Agility (Three Aspects of Agility Training Part 2)