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I had the pleasure of chatting with Emma Parsons outside of a trial a few months ago and we were talking about the ways our own handling choices and training loops can unintentionally chip away at the connection we work so hard to build. These small missteps can slow our progress, undermine teamwork, and erode the trust we place in both our dogs and ourselves. So in this episode, we’re diving deep into how to recognize these patterns, preserve that essential connection, and keep our training on track. Listen and enjoy learning how to break bad patterns, clean up your training loops and enjoy your agility journey more.

As you may know I work for a pet first aid & CPR company. In first aid, pressure is used to stop or slow the flow of blood. It’s applied intentionally to interrupt the body’s natural process in a life-saving way. In agility, pressure can be equally powerful—when used well. We apply it to converge on a line, to steer our dogs off a wrong course, or to ramp up intensity with our own acceleration. That’s the good kind of pressure—smart, purposeful, and effective. But just like in first aid, if pressure is applied too forcefully, too often, or in the wrong place… it can cause harm. And I’m seeing that more and more in the ring—handlers unintentionally applying too much or the wrong kind of pressure on their dogs, and it’s backfiring. Listen for tips on how to recognize bad pressure and stop yourself from applying it.

This is a reminder that allowing disappointment in accomplishes absolutely NOTHING. We should never let disappointment win. It’s a battle we can always win. Preventing the poison of disappointment into our runs and relationships is 100% preventable and controllable. Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠⁠⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here⁠⁠⁠ (hit the donate button right there on the homepage). Learn pet first aid & CPR - use discount code "startline" for 20% off and learn how to save your dog (or cat) NOW!

I'm known to have EVERYTHING a person could need when away from home, even probably more than most people have in their home but I carry it in a convenient tool bag. From safety pins and measuring tape to pain relievers and stomach soothers, I am known as CVS - Cara's Variety Service. While I might be a handy individual to have at the agility trial, there is nothing stopping you from being this prepared. I review what's in my bag, provide a list, go over what I have in my car and a few things in my home that have made living with dogs easier (and cleaner). After I finished recording I saw plenty more items to mention but just figured I will have to do a V2 of this episode. Below are the links to some of the products I recommend. Full disclosure, only the rug link and Cody's Creations do I get credit for, both awesome companies give me a discount when I buy from them again. I might be all set on rugs for now, but I can always use another collar! Don't need a new rug or collar but still want to keep me going? Consider giving a little here startlinepod.com - just hit the donate button top left. Links Not the exact bag but a similar one, same size Cleaner I love Tumble Rugs - washable rugs I love get $40 off with that link Xtreme Stitch - incredible agility leash/collar combos Cody's Creations - amazing collars, leashes and more! Get 15% off with discount code "startline" Cat and Dog First Aid & CPR - use discount code "startline" for 20% off and learn how to save your dog (or cat) NOW!

I've been watching friends and good handlers crumble under the pressure of trying to qualify for the 2024 AKC Agility Invitationals. While I know how to comfort them and buy them a drink, I needed to lean on the expert Julie Bacon, AKA The Q Coach to help teach us all how to get a grip on the mindset that is melting our agility skills. Julie as always gives us helpful hints, tools and processes to get out of our head and get in the game. Or for some, to let go of the pressure and just have fun, that is what we signed up for in the first place isn't it? Listen for some strategies on how you can improve your mindset, which ultimately enhances your team's success when trying to reach that goal of qualifying for a big event like Invitationals, Nationals or even Westminster. Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠⁠⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here⁠⁠⁠ (hit the donate button right there on the homepage).

Positive reinforcement isn't just a training method; it's a lifestyle, one that can transform not only the way we interact with our dogs but also how we approach life's challenges. For many, myself included, it's been a profound shift in perspective. Positive reinforcement training isn't just about rewarding good behavior; it's about fundamentally altering how we perceive and respond to our dogs' actions. It encourages us to shift from a fault-finding mindset to a solution-oriented one, focusing on reinforcing desired behaviors rather than punishing unwanted ones. But positive reinforcement goes beyond just training techniques; it's about building a relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and understanding. As someone who's practiced various training methods, including e-collar training, I've come to appreciate the nuanced effectiveness of positive reinforcement. In the world of dog sports like agility, where precise communication and teamwork are paramount, positive reinforcement shines as a guiding principle. It challenges us to communicate clearly, reinforce desired behaviors consistently, and adapt to our dogs' individual needs and learning styles. And while the journey may not always be straightforward or glamorous, the rewards—both in terms of performance and the bond we share with our dogs—are immeasurable. So let's embrace the power of positivity, not just in training our dogs, but in all aspects of our lives. To follow me on TikTok and see the awesome Wendy biting my feet video click here https://www.tiktok.com/@getactivepaws the video is pinned to the top Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here⁠⁠ (hit the donate button right there on the homepage).

When our dog is stressed, we often find our connection breaks. Picture a Venn diagram where two circles, stress and connection intersect. It is here that we need to find our way back into connection and away from the dark cloud of stress. While connection has much to do with our dog's ability to perform the behavior you have cued, stress can prevent a known behavior from being able to occur in an environment for which you cannot or do not train, like a trial. In the episode, I discuss how you can look for this stress, how you can use class to train through it and examples of how I moved that dark stressy cloud out of my way. Keep in mind, each team is different, for some stress-relieving behaviors before entering the ring are paramount, for others they are detrimental. Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here⁠ (hit the donate button right there on the homepage).

After listening and then re-listening to Daisy Peel's The Agility Challenge Podcast Episode 13 on Where to start when you're starting and what makes an expert an expert I was inspired to discuss with my listeners the points I agreed with as well as expand upon this concept. I wanted to discuss what makes a good trainer and how can you be a good student, it is a two-way street. I am still very much both. Hopefully, I will continue to be a trainer but I will ALWAYS be a student. I am a consumer of education and it is in my team's best interest to find a trainer or trainers that best fit my needs. I also have a responsibility to be a good student to whatever trainer I choose. Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here⁠ (hit the donate button right there on the homepage).

When Julie Bacon from The Q Coach reached out to me to record an episode on the grief we both recently experienced we talked off-air after the episode about life and such. She asked how I was doing and I said I was stuck in inaction, and in that moment I realized I just inadvertently asked for help from the best person to offer it. While my grief certainly didn't help matters, I was trapped in the frozen tundra of my mind for quite some time. I have been performing to standards, I have remained organized and task-oriented but I have not been growing. I have been slacking on my passion projects, the big one being this podcast! So Julie did what she does best, she snapped me into action! Here I am with another podcast out and a rejuvenated sense of my why's and how to start getting what I want to get done, not what just needs to get done. I get a bit vulnerable and sound a bit scattered but I'm guessing some of you can relate. Learn what advice Julie gives me to get out of my head and get going. Happy to have me back, want to keep me motivated? You can buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here (hit the donate button right there on the homepage). If you want support like I received, check out Julie's Q-membership!

In my day job of promoting pet first aid & CPR training I set Google alerts to scan the Internet for anything related to pet first aid & CPR. When I received a ping about a veterinarian-founded company that was filling a much-needed gap in pet care I reached out and had to learn more. Their products are just what pet owners and pet care professionals need to bridge the gap between comfort and a vet visit. My car now carries many of their products so when I am on the road, I know that if something goes wrong with my pets medically, I am even more prepared. Learn about the efficiency and empowerment My Simple Pet Labs products and services are bringing to the pet market. Per usual, I receive no compensation for this, these are just great products I found their a Google alert that I thought should be shared with my listeners. If you do feel like helping this podcast continue to grow, consider donating or taking advantage of the offerings on my patreon page.

Let's be more holistic in our view of the agility community, the good and the bad, not everything will be perfect and we cannot lean towards one or the other too heavily. Remain in the center and accept that things may sometimes be amazing and sometimes not but as long as events occur more towards center, we will be Ok.  There will always be outliers, dogs that are over-aroused in and out of the ring, reactive dogs, nasty reactive people etc. but the statistics aren’t showing that AKC agility events are getting worse. We aren’t getting bit and hiding it. And people are not breaking rules when they ask for space and time. They are preventing incidents and managing situations, they should be applauded for their efforts to keep everyone safe. I discuss ways we can continue to improve our community, our relationship with our dogs and get back to having fun.

I started compiling a list on my phone of what could make trials better for you as the exhibitor and me as an exhibitor. While these are specific to AKC agility, much of this information can apply to all organizations. Keep these tips in mind to help make your experience be the best. We all were beginners once, we are all on our own journey but for this to work, we all have to participate in the community. Protect yourself and be part of something, you can do both.

Do you look at the big picture or are you focused on the details? This is an interview question I ask new hires for my dog-walking company. The correct answer is, both. But in agility, I feel like we lose sight of the big picture. And I don't mean the goal of a MACH or to be the #1 in our breed, we very easily lose sight of the picture that our dogs should be able to run any course with any appropriate challenges consistently, as long as we gave them good information. Not because we lied in that run trying to convince them there was a cookie at the bottom of the dog walk just so we could Q. That detail could derail your team from being as successful as you could be. It doesn't really help you play the long game with your dog and get everything you can out of their short lives to ensure the best runs each and every time you go to that start line. Learn from the mistakes I made being short-sighted and Q-hungry. Learn about the sacrifices you can make today so that your team's future is better 6 months or a year from now.

Learn how to keep your pups in tip-top shape to be prepared to perform at their absolute best. While I obviously focus on agility, canine conditioning will help with duration sits in obedience, stamina in long nose work searches and in everyday life to afford your dog the physical and mental ability to keep up. The better shape they are in, the more longevity they have, and studies back me on this. I also share my workout circuit and how I acquired equipment on a budget.

We compress the crap out of our dogs by putting them in situations that are not natural to them. This is not to say they are bad situations but they require a lot out of our dogs to handle the stimuli among other variables. Yes, over time many dogs become desensitized to all these situations, I would agree as my dogs age they become extremely comfortable and happy in their regular trial environments. However, we can help them bounce back to their baseline quicker and be more resilient if we give them a chance to decompress. I know as humans many of us understand how great we feel after we go for a walk, get a massage, take a breather, unwind etc. Our dogs need this opportunity too, they need to do things that make them feel good like sniffing, running, jumping, shredding, digging and climbing and we need to be offering this to them every chance we get, especially after a long day at a trial, seminar or training. Here is the episode where Julie and I discuss compression https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-q-coach-pod-mindset-coaching-for-handlers-with/id1577589463?i=1000616100043 Here is the episode where the Behavior Vets discuss the Resilient Rainbow and the 7 domains https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worry-less-wag-more-the-behavior-vets-podcast/id1599111429?i=1000599727804 Sarah Stremming's podcast on the same topic https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cog-dog-radio/id1128562867?i=1000613240024