Bad Dog Agility Podcast

In this episode (1:17:56) In this episode, Sarah and Esteban welcome Dr. Arielle Pechette Markley and Dr. Abigail Shoben to discuss their CARIS research update analyzing data from 1,385 trials and over 300,000 runs per obstacle. They break down the findings from the largest coordinated safety study in agility history on contact obstacle incidents and what the numbers actually mean for handlers and dogs. You Will Learn The actual incident rates by obstacle: dogwalk leads at 2.1 per 1,000 runs, followed by teeter (1.04) and A-frame (0.40) Why 91.5% of contact incidents result in no apparent injury, with actual injury rates as low as 1 in 33,000 runs for dogwalks How these prospective findings compare to previous retrospective studies and why the methodology matters for interpreting risk Which agility obstacle has a much higher incident rate than any of the contact obstacles Mentioned The CARIS Research Update everyone is talking about: https://www.caninesportsscience.org/post/caris-research-update-what-we-re

In this episode (28:03) The AKC International Sweepstakes Class launched mid-2023, bringing European-style FCI course design to AKC trials at three levels of difficulty. Now, with two full years of data in hand, Sarah takes a deep dive into the numbers to see where the program stands and what the trends might tell us about where it's headed. You Will Learn How ISC entries compare to overall AKC participation, and what the 2024 vs. 2025 growth numbers actually look like Why big dogs dominate ISC entries, and how the 20″ and 24″ height classes compare to their share of the broader AKC entry pool What the shift away from Level 1 toward Levels 2 and 3 suggests about who is running ISC and how the competitor base is maturing Mentioned Episode 323: The Past, Present, and Future of AKC ISC Episode 351: The Inaugural AKC ISC Championship Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode (37:31) Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban are joined by Chris Durkee of 4 Legged Flix to talk about Video Assisted Review (VAR), a technology now being used at the highest levels of agility competition in the United States. VAR was deployed at both the recent AKC National Agility Championship and the UKI Invitational, with video services provided by 4 Legged Flix. You Will Learn Why contact obstacle judging is so difficult How VAR works and what triggers a review How judges interacted with VAR and whether it affected their confidence or decision-making Whether VAR more often adds faults that were missed or overturns faults that were incorrectly called What events may adopt VAR going forward Mentioned Episode 151: Judging with Video Review Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness  

In this episode (26:28) Esteban, Sarah, and Jennifer share personal experiences and unpack the common stereotypes around male and female dogs in agility. With Esteban running girls, Sarah running boys, and Jennifer having trained both, the trio brings a range of perspectives and lands in the same place: the sex of a dog matters a lot less than people think. You Will Learn Why Esteban, Sarah, and Jennifer each gravitate toward (or away from) a particular sex and what actually drove those choices The most common stereotypes about male vs. female dogs in agility, and how much truth the three coaches find in them Why limiting your puppy search by sex may cause you to overlook the dog that could be your best partner yet How other factors like temperament, drive, relationship, and timing outweigh sex when it comes to finding and developing a great agility dog Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness Saint Rocco's Treats  

In this episode (57.15) In this episode, Esteban, Sarah, and Jennifer sit down with Peter Wirth, the handler of that amazing Corgi, 8″ National Champion Welly. We also discuss the challenges of this year's courses, including the low Q rates, multiple falls off the dogwalk, and the weave pole challenge that eliminated half the Finals field. You Will Learn What Peter and Jennifer thought about the high number of weave pole faults in the Finals What the Q rates were in both Prelims and Finals and what they tell us What this year's NAC might signal about the future direction of course design Mentioned Hammy the Corgi as a Potato Episode 379: The Medium-Speed Dog's Guide to NAC

In this episode (27:08) Does the difference between 4-foot and 5-foot bars really matter in dog agility? In this episode, we dig into how bar width impacts everything from course design to your dog's performance, and why this seemingly small difference can have bigger implications than you might think. You Will Learn How 4-foot vs 5-foot bars affect course design and handling decisions Whether bar width changes your dog's jumping mechanics and consistency Why Jennifer and Esteban don't like opening a course with a tire followed immediately by the dogwalk Mentioned Episode 129: The Connection Paradigm Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode (27:08) In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban explore what a dog agility series on Netflix or another streaming platform could look like. They discuss several possible formats and why agility has the ingredients for mainstream success. You Will Learn Different formats a dog agility series could take on a streaming platform The kinds of stories and personalities that would make the sport compelling for a wider audience Why dog agility has strong potential as a binge-worthy series What makes the sport visually exciting and emotionally engaging for viewers Mentioned A Different Breed: a docuseries on Amazon Prime Race for the Crown Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode (32:17) In this episode, Esteban and Sarah explore what dog agility can learn from Olympic swimming, two fast sports where performances last seconds but preparation takes months or years. They discuss how tiny technical details, mental preparation, and strategic training decisions can dramatically impact performance when the margin for error is so small. You Will Learn Why the swimming concept of tapering may apply to preparing dogs for major agility competitions How the first few seconds of a run, from the lead-out to the first obstacle, can set the tone for everything that follows Why both sports demand trust in training and muscle memory during short, high-stakes performances How mental preparation and pre-run routines can help handlers manage nerves and perform at their best Mentioned Visualization and Mental Preparation Episode 189: How to Structure Your Dog Agility Season Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness Saint Rocco's Treats  

In this episode (30:21) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about the realities of raising and training puppies alongside someone else. We explore how shared puppy journeys can strengthen relationships, strain them, and ultimately teach us a lot about expectations, pressure, and perspective. You Will Learn Jennifer's experience raising littermates with her mom and later with her best friend and training partner Why getting puppies at the same time can create both the best and the hardest moments in an agility partnership How side-by-side progress can make you feel behind, increase stress, or quietly shift expectations The upside of having a training partner going through the same puppy stage at the same time Mentioned Episode 157: The Comparison Trap Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode (41:20) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban dive into the often-debated world of purpose-bred sport mixes, purpose-bred mixes in general, and how they compare to rescues, mutts, and "All American" dogs. We explore why these dogs exist, why they generate strong opinions, and how much of the controversy is rooted in history, philosophy, and expectations. Most importantly, we unpack how dogs from many backgrounds can thrive in sport while serving very different goals within the broader dog world. You Will Learn The difference between purpose-bred sport mixes, general mixes, mutts, and rescues What the "All American Dog" designation really represents in competition How breed recognition and performance success address different priorities Mentioned/Related Episode 288: Interview with 2-Time Highest Scoring All-American Westminster Winner Lisa Topol All American Dog Ranking by PowerScore for 2025 Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness Saint Rocco's Treats

In this episode (18:10) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban break down how the format of the AKC National Agility Championship impacts strategy, especially for handlers with medium-speed dogs. Most competitors at Nationals are not the fastest dogs in the country, and they're not the slowest either. They're somewhere in the middle. And that middle is where smart strategy matters most. We talk about how the structure of the event affects qualification paths, what realistic advancement looks like, and how to approach Nationals in a way that gives your dog the best chance to succeed. Most importantly, we discuss how to set expectations so that no matter the outcome, you don't feel like you wasted your time. You Will Learn How the NAC format shapes strategy for medium-speed dog handlers trying to qualify for the Finals Why your dog may have a better chance of making the Finals than you think How to set realistic expectations so you walk away from Nationals feeling proud, not defeated Mentioned How to

In this episode (45:48) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban are joined by Masters Agility Champion Amber McCune to break down the 2026 Westminster Masters Agility Championship. The conversation ranges from course design and footing to venue history and how the event experience has changed over the years. You Will Learn How course design, footing, and venue choices shape both performance and the competitor experience at Westminster. How Jenn and Amber adjusted their handling to account for the unique format for making finals. Why Amber didn't get to wear a sparkly dress. Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness  

In this episode (26:49) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about the often ignored reality of agility: most of the time, dogs are not running, they are waiting. They explore why "waiting your turn" is a human concept, how dogs experience these in between moments through anticipation or regulation, and why early anticipation can lead to anxiety for some dogs while others switch on and off easily. The conversation highlights the importance of noticing how much waiting exists and being intentional about what dogs are actually doing during that time. You Will Learn Why "waiting your turn" is not a personality trait, but a set of skills shaped by arousal, uncertainty, and environment How dogs experience "waiting" through anticipation, regulation, or disengagement rather than passive stillness Why minimizing or reshaping waiting periods can be more effective than trying to train dogs to endure them Sponsored By Canine Handler Fitness Saint Rocco's Treats  

In this episode (28:39) This week on the podcast, we take a closer look at how dogs actually run a course and what handlers can do to help them run it faster and with more confidence. We explain why dogs run lines rather than individual obstacles and how understanding your dog's stride, structure, and turning ability helps you choose the best line for any sequence. We also talk about why the fastest path is not always the shortest and how video comparison reveals the true optimal line for your dog. You Will Learn Why you should handle lines, not individual obstacles How pulling, position, and continuous cues shape your dog's line Why tight turns slow dogs and when a wider arc is actually faster How to compare options on video to find the best line for your dog Mentioned Episode 179: Which is Faster, a Front Cross or Rear Cross? Episode 108: Choices on Course Sponsored By Saint Rocco's Treats Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode (30:01) In this episode, we break down why so many handlers walk to the start line with a clear plan and instantly forget everything the moment the run begins. You Will Learn Why your brain blanks on course and how stress shuts down the prefrontal cortex, reducing timing, sequencing, and decision-making. How adrenaline affects handling, including tunnel vision, and reversion to default movement patterns. What the Yerkes-Dodson curve tells us about optimal arousal for performance and why beginners fall off the curve sooner. How to use the physiological sigh as a rapid, science-based tool to reset your nervous system right before a run. Mentioned Episode 159: Handler Muscle Memory for Dog Agility Episode 188: Handler Desensitization Sponsored By: Canine Handler Fitness with Liz Joyce    

In this episode (20:34) In this episode, Esteban and Sarah talk about what it really means when things go wrong in the ring. A knocked bar, a wrong course, a dog that runs straight to the leash—none of these moments predict your future in agility. Instead, they're feedback about where you and your dog are in your training journey. You Will Learn The key difference between formative and summative feedback—and how it applies to training and trials. Why tying your success or failure to self-worth actually slows progress (and how to stop doing it). How to read your dog's "mistakes" as information about confidence, arousal, and understanding. Thank You for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us this week. To get Bad Dog Agility podcasts sent directly to your device as they become available, you can subscribe on iTunes, SoundCloud, or Spotify. Happy training and thank you for helping us reach over 2 million podcast downloads! Sponsored By: Canine Handler Fitness with Liz Joyce

In this episode (37:02) Burnout isn't just something that happens at work—it happens in dog agility, too. In this episode, we dive into what burnout looks like for handlers, why it happens, and how to recover in a healthy way. You Will Learn The three major predictors of burnout identified across 30+ studies: Why agility is uniquely vulnerable to burnout (and what's missing compared to other sports). Practical ways to recover and prevent burnout for both you and your dog. Sponsored By Saint Rocco's Treats Clip & Go Agility

In this episode (20:34) We've all said it. "My dog deserves better." Maybe after a missed contact, a wide turn, or one of those runs where nothing clicks. But what does that phrase really mean? In this episode, we look at where it comes from, how it shapes the way we see ourselves as handlers, and what our dogs actually need from us. You Will Learn Why "my dog deserves better" comes from love and care, but can slowly turn into guilt. How to tell the difference between healthy accountability and self-blame that holds you back. Why having a super talented dog can feel like pressure instead of joy, and how to flip that around. Esteban's advice to reframe your language so it builds confidence instead of doubt. Thank You for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us this week. To get Bad Dog Agility podcasts sent directly to your device as they become available, you can subscribe on iTunes, SoundCloud, or Spotify. Happy training and thank you for helping us reach over 2 million podcast downloads! Sponsored By: C

In this episode (48:38) This week on the Bad Dog Agility Podcast, we sit down with Kris Seiter, the newly crowned FCI Agility World Champion in the Intermediate height division, and her Border Collie Naavdanya, the first American team to win an overall individual gold medal since 2011. Fresh off their incredible performance in Kalmar, Sweden, Kris joins us to share what it felt like to stand atop the podium and take us behind the scenes of an unforgettable weekend on the world stage. You Will Learn Kris’s thoughts and emotions after each run at AWC How she and her husband share handling duties with Naavdanya Insights into this year’s course design What it’s like competing as part of Team USA on the international stage The preparation and mindset behind a gold-medal performance Watch Kris’ Winning Run https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1969545397230903

In this episode (32:54) In this episode, we unpack FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out, in the world of dog agility. From chasing every seminar and trend to feeling left behind when others seem to improve faster, we talk about how FOMO affects both handlers and dogs. Drawing on psychology, personal experience, and plenty of agility-specific examples, we explore how to recognize FOMO, how it can quietly derail progress, and how to shift toward a healthier mindset, the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO). Whether you’re a newcomer overwhelmed by all the options or a seasoned competitor trying to keep up with every new technique, this episode will help you reset your focus and find confidence in your own path. You Will Learn What FOMO really is and why it’s especially common in dog agility. How FOMO can affect training, competition, finances, and mental health. Why even experienced handlers and coaches fall into the trap of constant comparison. Practical ways to reframe FOMO into JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out. Mentioned/Relate