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).