In this episode, we meet Mirosław "Mirek" Hyk from Poland, a farmer's son who grew up with dogs as his childhood companions and now runs agility with his Border Collies Runa and Furia. Mirek describes himself in one word: impossible. As he explains, life with dogs keeps bringing him moments he never would have believed possible.

As a young boy, Mirek walked to school with his brothers and cousins, always escorted by the family dogs. When the family moved to the city, the dogs stayed behind on the farm and the bond was lost for many years. Twelve years ago, after moving to a house with his wife, the first thing they wanted was a dog, and so their German Shepherd Azja came into their lives.

Mirek found OneMind Dogs while searching online for an answer to a very practical question: why did his dog turn right when he was doing everything to turn her left? He shares how his biggest eye-opener was discovering how much his own movement on the course changes his dog's jumping and lines, and why running together feels to him a bit like dancing.

We also talk about being an introvert in dog sports, the day a small child walked Azja on a loose leash when the adults couldn't, and why Mirek recently decided to go back to basics with Runa to work on tight turns and commitment. Mirek also shares his advice for anyone getting their first dog, his dream of one day making it to Crufts, and the one thing he would change in the world for dogs.

Learn more about Mirek:

• Their agility club on Facebook
• Mirek on Facebook

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In this episode, we meet Barbara Stephens, a retired high school English teacher from Massachusetts, United States, who has been running agility with her corgis since 2004 and says she never stops learning.

Barbara has loved corgis since she was ten years old, when she picked the breed out of an encyclopedia. Today she lives with five-year-old Willow. She found OneMind Dogs by accident at a seminar, joined the site in 2016 as a birthday present to herself, and a year later travelled to Finland to train with our community.

Barbara shares how small movements of the handler's body can change everything for the dog. She also explains why she stopped trying to run faster and started giving cues earlier, from what her dog sees. When an injury to her previous dog and her own high expectations for Willow took away the joy of running together, Barbara found her way back through yoga, meditation, and a lot of patience. She also tells the story of "the year of weaves" and the moment it all came together in a snooker run.

Along the way, we talk about why short training sessions work better than long ones, what connection with your dog really means, and why one class is not the end of learning. Barbara also shares the one thing she would change in the world for dogs.

Links from the episode:

• Wet Nose Canine Connection
• Data Driven Agility

Barbara's favourite podcasts:

• Hidden Brain
• The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Visit OneMind Dogs and learn more about the dog's perspective!

Do you have a new dog at home? Or do you want to start it all over?
Start the OneMind Dogs puppy training program today and get the OneMind Dogs team's support.

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In this last episode of our second season, we explore the remarkable journey of Beth MacLeod, a devoted dog lover and professional trainer living just outside Boston, United States.

With a lifelong passion for dogs, Beth shares how a single book transformed her approach to dog training in the late '90s, leading to a career dedicated to enhancing the bond between dogs and their people.

"What I thought a dog was, became something totally different." Since then, Beth MacLeod has been devoted to changing people's perspectives. She serves as the Director of Training and Behavior at a local humane society and runs a business focused on helping dogs and their owners overcome behavioral challenges.

Having lived with dogs almost all her life, she currently shares a home with three beloved dogs: two Goldens and a senior Pekingese, who all play a central role in her dreams and daily life.

This episode delves into the philosophy that dogs are more than pets; they are friends and family members who fill our lives with joy. Our guest emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting dogs for who they are, fostering a relationship built on trust and mutual respect, and how OneMind Dogs has helped her on this journey.

Listen to the episode and get inspired by stories of personal growth, the transformative power of positive reinforcement, and great stories from her experiences as a behaviorist and work at the local humane society.

Visit OneMind Dogs and learn more about the dog's perspective!

Do you have a new dog at home? Or do you want to start it all over?
Start the OneMind Dogs puppy training program today and get the OneMind Dogs team's support.

To get the podcast newsletter, sign up here!