Bad Dog Agility Podcast

In this episode (16:59) Struggling to make progress in agility—even though you’re putting in the work? In this episode, Esteban and Sarah break down the Success Cycle, a powerful 5-stage framework that shows you how to level up your agility game. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned competitor, this blueprint will help you move forward with clarity and confidence. You Will Learn * The 5 stages of the Success Cycle * Why most agility handlers plateau—and how to avoid staying stuck * The biggest mistake people make when they skip the Review and Adjust phases * How small adjustments lead to big breakthroughs in your performance * What separates handlers who level up quickly from those who spin their wheels Mentioned/Related * Episode 212: Do You Really Need Video Analysis? [https://baddogagility.com/episode-212-do-you-really-need-video-analysis/] * Episode 139: The Test/Train/Adjust Cycle [https://baddogagility.com/episode-139-the-testtrainadjust-cycle/] * Episode 30: Analyzing Mistakes and a Look at Systems [https://baddogagility.com/episode-30-analyzing-mistakes-and-a-look-at-systems/]

In this episode (20:38) What really sets the top agility teams apart? In this episode, Esteban, Sarah, and Jennifer each choose one key factor they believe gives elite teams an edge—and it’s not what you might think. Talent, speed, age, or breed? Nope. We’re talking about habits and strategies that any team can develop, starting today. Whether you’re aiming for national finals or just trying to feel more confident in your runs, this conversation will give you clarity on where to focus your time and energy. You Will Learn * Why success in agility isn’t reserved for the naturally talented or the young and fast * One thing each of your hosts believes separates the top 10% from everyone else * How to build these success-driving habits into your own training * What doesn’t matter nearly as much as you might think (hint: it’s not your dog’s breed) Mentioned/Related * Episode 212: Do You Really Need Video Analysis? [https://baddogagility.com/episode-212-do-you-really-need-video-analysis/]

In this episode (29:07) Coaches and instructors play a crucial role in our growth as agility handlers. In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban reflect on the many different types of coaching available to competitors, both inside and outside the agility world, and how they can help shape your skills, mindset, and confidence. You don’t have to be in a weekly class to benefit from a coach. And you don’t need a title to be one. Whether it’s a fellow competitor, a sports psychologist, a trial buddy, or an online instructor helping you prep for a big event, coaching is everywhere, and it’s evolving fast thanks to technology. You Will Learn * How video, slow motion, and remote platforms have changed the coaching game. * The surprising places coaching can come from, even outside of agility. * The specialized types of coaches we’ve each worked with (contacts, mental management, event prep, and more). * Why you might be acting as someone’s coach already and how to embrace that role. * How a community built on shared learning makes agility better for everyone. Mentioned/Related * Episode 289: The End of Coach’s Eye [https://baddogagility.com/episode-289-the-end-of-coachs-eye/] * You can find Running Contacts classes with Euan Paterson here: https://www.camddwrcanine.co.uk/camddwr-courses [https://www.camddwrcanine.co.uk/camddwr-courses] * You can find Running Contacts classes with Silvia Trkman here: https://www.lolabuland.com/online-classes/ [https://www.lolabuland.com/online-classes/]

photo credit: Great Dane Photos In this episode (27:23) In this episode, we dive into a question every agility handler wrestles with: Should you train in class the way the course should be run to build skills—or adapt your handling as if you’re at a trial, doing whatever it takes to get through clean? Jennifer kicks off the conversation with a story from her in-person class, where a handler faced this very dilemma. Esteban shares how he uses small-space sequences to help handlers try out multiple options—rear cross, front cross, blind cross—and then analyze which is actually faster using video review. The results are often surprising, leading to smarter handling strategies or exposing weaknesses that can be addressed in training. Whether you’re a handler who trains for mastery or trials for survival, this episode will give you fresh insight into how to approach your next class—and your next run. You Will Learn * The pros and cons of the “ideal execution” mindset versus the “trial-day strategy” mindset * Why it’s not an either-or question, and how context—your dog, your goals, your stage of training—matters * How to blend both approaches into your training plan for better long-term results Mentioned/Related * The Finals Map [https://baddogagility.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/9_NAC_Finals_map.pdf]

photo credit: Great Dane Photos In this episode (39:13) In this episode, Esteban and Sarah are joined by Dr. Arielle Pechette Markley, a Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation veterinarian and researcher, to discuss a groundbreaking initiative in dog agility safety: the Coalition for Agility Reporting on Incidents and Safety (CARIS). We’re excited to share that major agility organizations around the world—including AKC, ASCA, CPE, FCI, NADAC, RKC, UKI, and USDAA—have come together in an unprecedented show of cooperation to support independent, evidence-based research into agility safety. These organizations are contributing data to the Canine Sports Science Consortium (CSSC), led by Drs. Arielle Pechette Markley, Abigail Shoben, Melody Moore Jackson, and Rachel Olson. The first study of its kind, this project focuses on contact obstacles—specifically the A-Frame, Dog Walk, and Teeter—and aims to identify the relationship between obstacle performance, number of runs, and reported incidents. The initiative was inspired in part by ongoing discussions around Dog Walk safety, including proposals to lower its height or widen the plank. Join us as Dr. Markley shares how this study came together, what it means for the future of agility, and how judges, trial secretaries, and show organizers can contribute to this collaborative effort. It’s a major step toward making agility safer for all dogs, and we’re thrilled to help spread the word. You Will Learn * Why leading agility organizations are uniting to support data-driven safety research * What CARIS is and how it will collect and analyze obstacle-related incident data * How current debates around Dog Walk height and width inspired this research initiative * What role judges, trial secretaries, and handlers can play in shaping the future of agility safety Mentioned * The project announcement on the Canine Sports Science Consortium website [https://www.caninesportsscience.org/post/coalition-for-agility-reporting-on-incidents-and-safety-caris] * Donate to help support dog agility research. [https://www.caninesportsscience.org/donate] * Our previous podcast: Episode 355: Is It Time to Change the Dogwalk? [https://baddogagility.com/episode-355-is-it-time-to-change-the-dogwalk/]