Episoder
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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!
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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).
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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!
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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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startlinepod/support
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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When you have extra time please go back and listen to Episode 10 - Car Safety Setups & Keeping Cool it really covers an immense amount of useful information, so much so that I broke it down and redid it to a) remove the pandemic-isms and b) update some of the products I have found to be even better to help us and our dogs stay cool this summer.
What it boils down to is a little bit of science, good cooling products and a great car setup. I help you keep your pups cool so the stress from the heat is one less thing they have to deal with.
Here are the products I mention/recommend and no, I do not have an affiliate account. I would love one but the hours in my day slip away and I'd rather just give you the information than figure out how to get paid to share it :P
Ryobi Supercharger (I call it a rapid charger) - remember to compare to the Ryobi days sale Home Depot has usually from Memorial Day weekend through Father's Day. I did not link it because it will expire and you will be disappointed in me Jackery Portable Power Station - I have seen several exhibitors with these, these are on the high end for price but ask them, I bet they are worth it Marbero Portable Power Station - I have zero idea of the quality but for the price, worth a try? Eagle Peak Pop-Up Tent (Easy Up, which is a brand but we use it as a proprietary eponym) - I do not have this one but would buy it, it has vents, vents are important for wind gusts Aluminet with Bungees - I have this one and love it Magnets - Remember, don't be cheap Spring Camps - I might have called them clips Cooling Coat - Love this one Cooling Mat - Spend the money and get this one Govee Thermometer - I zip tie this bad boy to my crates where their heads would be if sitting up. It has been very reliable, just does not have a great range.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/startlinepod/support -
I struggled to develop a title for this episode because it covers SO MUCH! Julie Bacon of The Q Coach and I discuss the importance of our mindset for the human and the dog parts of our team, but then we cover so much more!
We discuss the difference between outcome goals and process goals, what we can control, and what it takes to get there. We offer tons of tidbits to staying organized, saving brain power for where you need it the most (the ring) and even more ways you can help reduce the stress in your dog's agility journey.
For a deeper dive into the wonderful concepts Julie shares about our mindset to help us Q more, check out her podcast, Mindset Coaching for Handlers. It was recommended to me by a couple of agility exhibitors and I found it so fascinating that I went right to the creator to bring it to more people.
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I have been seeing and hearing a lot about ISC events or classes added to trials recently. ISC stands for International Sweepstakes Class.
In my mind, this was a new addition to the AKC agility program which I admittedly knew very little about. Wanting to learn more about ISC, I went directly to the source, the director of AKC agility, Carrie DeYoung.
Carrie shares a heap of information with us including that I was wrong about ISC being something new that was added, it's been around for 20 years. However, thanks to the pandemic (did I just really say that?) and some exhibitors that came to Carrie to bring more ISC to a trial near you, it has been gaining in popularity.
Learn what ISC is, what the courses are like, the levels it has and how this style of course could very much help you on your agility journey. If anything, it's a fun addition that more clubs can be offering to break up the day, get you out of your "must Q" headspace and still allow you and your pup to have a blast. It's just another way to play agility, the sport we all love.
For more information on ISC click here https://images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/REAGIL.pdf and search "ISC"
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Go listen to Episode 33 - Stressed for Success before you listen to this gem.
Noreen Bennett of PawPrint Trials and I follow up on our Stressed for Success episode not just by providing solutions but also providing creative ways to unravel the uncertainty you may find you and your dog in on your agility journey.
In our first episode about stress, we discussed how to recognize it. Now we cover how to actually combat it by building resilience in our dogs so we aren't just spreading the stress to another area of the ring, much like a pair of Spanx does to our midriff.
Don't be like Spanx, stop moving the stress around, and help recognize and relieve it, we want to help you do that.
To learn more in-depth about the 7 steps to building resilience in our dogs, definitely check out this podcast episode.
Otherwise enjoy the listen and as always, enjoy the journey with your dog.
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I'm bringing this to you as a bonus episode because I wanted to be one of the first to interview Steve after his fantastic win at the 2023 National Agility Championship. He and his dog Hogan, who is not a Border Collie, clenched the final win for the 24" class with a touch less speed but 100% consistency as Steve gives us insight into his strategy.
Learn how Steve and Hogan go from ACT (the most beginner agility title one can earn) to NAC (the highest and greatest agility title). We discuss generalizing and how little things you can do with your dog throughout each day can turn your team into true champions.
Steve also shares just how involved he is in the world of agility and beyond. He's an avid golfer and golf rules official but also a great guy that does a TREMENDOUS amount for the sport of agility. Not only does he co-chair the biggest agility show on dirt each and every year, but he is also constantly volunteering on boards, chairing trials, course building and volunteering any way he can to make certain we all have the ability to continue to trial in the sport we love.
Want to learn about what a true champion team looks like, have a listen. Next time you are at a trial or especially at the Thanksgiving Cluster in West Springfield, MA, remember to find Steve and thank him for all his efforts in this sport and community. He is truly the epitome of a champion.
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This episode captures a little bit of Michele and me geeking out on dog behavior and a whole lot of great information about how you can help your hyper, reactive or stressed-out dog in agility by letting them sniff.
We bust myths about confusing dogs and allowing them to sniff, we arm you with a ton of information you can gather about your dog and we offer you an insight into the benefits of offering your dog the opportunities to tap into their innate behavior.
I knew from my own experience how beneficial nosework was to my agility journey with my dogs but when I have a conversation with Michele Ellertson, I realized how much this indeed dovetails with my previous interview with Noreen Bennett.
Learn and hopefully listen when we tell you that your dog isn't being an asshole when they run off and sniff, rather choose to see behavior not as bad, but as information. What is your dog telling you when they drop down and sniff?
Michele offers us ways to train in a way that changes the picture for the dog and taps into the different drivers and unleashes a different experience. This is for any aspect of our dog's lives but specifically, you can apply this to agility.
I also realize how fortunate I am to have such an incredibly knowledgeable, creative, and skilled nosework instructor. I was hooked years ago just dropping into a class. Don't worry if you aren't local, Michele teaches online, travels to teach tons of seminars as a CNWI (instructor), judges as a NACSW Certifying Official, and NACSW Trial Representative, and brings over 20 years of dog training experience. She's lively, passionate, and just wants to help your dog by getting you to get out there to give them something to sniff.
To learn more about Michele Ellertson you can check out her company website, https://www.thedogspace.net/
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Noreen Bennett of PawPrint Trials and I just gave a seminar on the impacts of stress in our agility journey, called Stressed for Success. While she might be the most prominent trial secretary in New England, Noreen also has had a 25-year front-row seat watching stress in the ring and figuring out her own with her dogs over her lifetime.
Some of us don't understand why our dogs act differently at trials, many of us know that it's stress making our Fido slow down, wander off or avoid obstacles but most of us don't know how to make that stress go away. We often just move it around the ring.
Knowing that our dogs are riding the stress-struggle bus, Noreen and I discuss what important things you can do to help your dog because that is exactly what they are asking for; HELP! When you have trial stress, first recognize it and next, stop asking your dog to do something they can't.
There weren't enough hours in the day to cover the solutions to removing the stress, which will be in another episode, but listen and learn how you can recognize what it looks like and what you can stop doing immediately to make the agility journey for your dog better.
We highly recommend reading or listening to this book, On Talking Terms with Dogs by Turid Rugaas https://www.audible.com/pd/On-Talking-Terms-with-Dogs-Audiobook/B09H3N3K8Q?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp
As Noreen says, agility is like a giant 500-piece puzzle of a blue sky. Often you are left just picking pieces to see what fits. We want to help make that puzzle easier for you and your dog.
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Hey agility addicts! We're BACK ... AGAIN.
Sorry for another hiatus, let's just say that life has interrupted our podcasting plans again. But never fear, we aren't going anywhere.
This episode covers the 2021 AKC Agility Invitationals, which we BOTH were fortunate enough to attend this year. This was Cara's third time attending and Michele's first! Hear about initial reactions, expectations and results. We had different goals and we both learned some things for our next agility adventures. We recap the event from the drive there and back and talk about some of our friends' journeys too. Want to know how you can try to qualify? Curious about the vendors and the swag? What about finals and what it takes to make it there? We cover it all!
We're glad to be back... AGAIN!
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