In this episode (25:19) In this episode, Jenn shares her experience at the 2024 Premier Cup which was held June 29th at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. You Will Learn How to get an invite to this event. Jenn’s history with this event. Details and stories about this year’s surface, venue, and weather. The winners of each height class. Mentioned/Related Where to Watch the 2024 AKC Premier Cup Information on the venue and surface: https://nscsports.org/facilities/stadium/ Episode 215: The 2019 AKC Agility Premier Cup Presented by EEM Episode 220: AKC Agility Premier Cup W ..read more

In this episode (25:03) In this episode, we share our personal experiences and tips for helping dogs who get anxious during Fourth of July fireworks, discussing both successful and unsuccessful strategies. You Will Learn Strategies to create a comfortable and secure environment for your dog during fireworks. How to prepare in advance for fireworks with physical activity. Tips on using background noise or music to drown out firework sounds. Using anti-anxiety medications and natural supplements. Mentioned/Related Thunder Shirt ElleVet Calm & Comfort Chews ..read more

In this episode (27:19) In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban share and discuss the qualifying rates for all jump heights in AKC agility, covering both Jumpers with Weaves and Standard, from Novice A to Masters level. You Will Learn The qualifying rates for each height class in AKC agility for 2023. How to calculate your predicted QQ rate. What Q rate is considered “good.” The pros and cons of using Q rate to evaluate performance. Mentioned/Related AKC Q Rates for 2023 A Look at Qualification Rate by Height A Look at Speed by Height ..read more

In this episode (50:25) Join us for an exciting episode where Sarah, Esteban, and Jennifer interview Cynthia Hornor about the big win with her remarkable dog, Nimble, the first 12″ overall champion at the prestigious Masters Agility Championship at Westminster. You Will Learn Insights into how competitors felt about the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show venue. Detailed discussion on the design of the agility courses at Westminster. Cynthia’s strategy and approach to navigating the event with Nimble and Truant (last year’s overall champion). Why this was one of the best broadcasts ever for an a ..read more

In this episode (21:48) This week, we’re thrilled to have Anthony Clarke, founder of British Agility, on our podcast. Co-host Jennifer Crank recently competed in the Longines Agility Grand Prix 2024 in Miami, a new agility event held in partnership with the Longines Global Champions Tour. We’ll share insights from both the organizer’s and competitor’s perspectives, giving you an inside look into this new event. You Will Learn Jennifer’s firsthand insights and highlights from competing in the Longines Agility Grand Prix 2024. How the event promotes dog agility to a wider audience. Behind-the-s ..read more

In this episode (21:15) This week, we’re joined by Dr. Brittany Schaezler to dive into the topic of health clearances for agility dogs. Whether you’re a newcomer to the sport or a seasoned handler, understanding the standard health clearances is essential for your agility dog’s well-being and performance. We discuss everything from hip and elbow dysplasia to eye conditions and how these health factors can impact your agility journey. You Will Learn The significance of health clearances in agility training and breeding. Why hips, elbows, and eyes are crucial health checks for agility dogs. How ..read more

In this episode (21:39) This week, we delve into a topic suggested by one of our listeners: the fine line between babysitting and supporting your agility dog. In this podcast, we explore how the right balance of guidance and independence can significantly impact your dog’s confidence and performance on the course. You Will Learn How the handling support your dog needs changes over their experience level. How you use trial and error to discover how much support your dog needs. Why Sarah thinks it’s a good thing to occasionally pull your dog off the correct obstacle. How to use placement of rew ..read more

In this episode (39:51) Jennifer and Sarah talk about their experiences at the 2024 National Agility Championship with Esteban providing the livestream spectator perspective. You Will Learn Jenn’s thoughts on the facility, the surface, and the organization of the event. Why the Hybrid round was a surprise. Esteban’s view on the target q-rate for big events. Who was crowned National Agility Champion! Mentioned/Related You can find course maps and results here: https://akccompanionevents.com/index.php?eventSelected=National%20Agility%20Championship. Note that at some point, the results w ..read more

In this episode (48:29) The 2024 AKC National Agility Championship takes place March 14-17 in Perry, Georgia. In this podcast, Sarah and Jennifer explore the event’s structure, key contenders and share how you can follow along with the event in near real-time. You Will Learn The structure of the 2024 AKC National Agility Championship. How to watch the event for free. How dogs qualify for the Challengers Round. Who is judging the event. Mentioned/Related You can find course maps, running orders, and results here: https://akc.jotform.com/app/233567920055862 Watch here for FREE: http ..read more

In this episode (46:45) In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban share their experiences and advice on how to leave the ring after the dog fails to meet the expected criteria. They discuss key dog training concepts, ethics, and explain who should and who should not use this strategy. You Will Learn When it’s appropriate to walk your dog off the course. Why you should not leave the ring for handling errors. How to leave the ring properly. How positive reinforcement and negative punishment relate to each other. Which dogs are poorly suited for this training option. Mentioned/Related Epis ..read more