Bitches in Season

Breeding Butterflies with Sarah Rutland

This week we sit down with Sarah Rutland to talk about performance Papillons, building a breeding program, and the completely normal amount of emotional attachment one can have to a tiny French dog named Primo. Sarah shares how she got started in agility, why she fell in love with Papillons, and what eventually pushed her to start breeding dogs specifically for performance sports. We get into breeding ethics, structure, drive, puppy raising, reactive dogs, and the terrifying responsibility of trying to produce dogs that are talented, stable, and physically sound enough for sport. It’s equal parts educational and unhinged which honestly feels very on brand for us.

Unhinged Thoughts with Sydney Bates

This week, we’re sitting down with our dear friend and honorary "Bitch in Season," Sydney Bates.   If you’ve been around the Philadelphia dog scene, you might have seen Sydney at one of about a dozen types of dog sport events! With 15 years in the game, she’s truly a dog sport Renaissance woman. In this episode, we’re going totally off-script to talk about Sydney’s wild journey through the dog world.   We’re diving into: * The "Bucket Bitch" Chronicles: Sydney shares her origin story, from scooping poop for high school credit at a professional kennel to being the ultimate "bucket bitch" at national Schutzhund (IGP) championships. * Schutzhund Tea: What’s the vibe of the protection sport world? Sydney gives us the diplomatic (and not-so-diplomatic) lowdown on the precision, the egos, and the literal parking lot brawls. * The Pivot to Pet Training: Why Sydney started a training business during the 2020 puppy boom and the emotional toll of dealing with the people side of pet training and rehoming cases. * Terrier Energy: How Sydney went from Golden Retrievers to finding her true calling with her Jack Russell, Tripp (and why everyone thought she was crazy for doing it) and back to her perfect Golden. * Mushrooms & Aliens: Yes, we take a detour into whether fungi are from outer space. Don't ask, just listen.   Whether you’re a precision-obsessed handler or just someone who’s been bitten by a Jack Russell, this episode is packed with the kind of gatekeeping, gossip, and girl-talk you love.

Dognerd Out with Us

This week we’re joined by Kelly Peterson of Dognerd Animal Talent, and this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes chaos. If you’ve ever wondered how dogs end up in commercials, TV shows, or modeling tiny outfits for major brands, this one’s for you. Kelly shares how she went from working in entertainment to building a business casting and training animal talent, plus what really happens on set when producers expect dogs to act like human actors. Spoiler: it’s never that simple. We get into wild client requests, the truth about what makes a dog castable, why sport dogs shine on set, and some of the funniest stories from her career involving puppies, pigs, horses, and a search for the perfect “ugly dog.” Lights, camera… bitches.

We're Back Bitches!

After an accidental hiatus (oops… one week turned into many), we’re back and more unhinged than ever. This episode is a full-on catch-up: no structure, no plan, just your favorite bitches yapping.   Rachael recaps the absolute chaos that was NAC in California, think 109° heat, RV meltdowns, overheated computers, and Chessy still showing up like the queen she is. Lynsey dives into EO tryouts, mindset shifts, and learning how to take the pressure off while still chasing big goals. And Lizzie?? She’s BACK back, post-injury, fresh out of PT, and entering her first trial again (with a side of “agility twisties”).   We’re talking: * heat grumpies (a real medical condition, obviously) * rebuilding confidence after setbacks * angel goggles & chaotic dogs * big life updates (stay tuned) * and… a surprise announcement!!!   It’s messy, it’s funny, but mostly it’s just us being us. If you missed our voices… this one’s for you.   The bitches are back. For real this time.

All Good Dogs

The agility world is fighting on the internet again, so naturally, we had to talk about it.    On this week's episode of Bitches in Season, we are unpacking the hot debate regarding balanced training in dog sports. But before we judge, we confess. All three of us share our personal stories of using e-collars and prongs in the past, the mistakes we made, and the specific moments that changed our minds.   Tune in for the laughs and the cringe, stay for the honest conversation about why fear has no place on an agility course.