364: Mastery or Survival - The Class vs. Trial Mindset
Release Date: 04/09/2025
375: When Stress Hijacks Your Handling
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (30:01) In this episode, we break down why so many handlers walk to the start line with a clear plan and instantly forget everything the moment the run begins. You Will Learn Why your brain blanks on course and how stress shuts down the prefrontal cortex, reducing timing, sequencing, and decision-making. How adrenaline affects handling, including tunnel vision, and reversion to default movement patterns. What the Yerkes-Dodson curve tells us about optimal arousal for performance and why beginners fall off the curve sooner. How to use the physiological sigh as a rapid,...
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374: Fail Better
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (20:34) In this episode, Esteban and Sarah talk about what it really means when things go wrong in the ring. A knocked bar, a wrong course, a dog that runs straight to the leash—none of these moments predict your future in agility. Instead, they’re feedback about where you and your dog are in your training journey. You Will Learn The key difference between formative and summative feedback—and how it applies to training and trials. Why tying your success or failure to self-worth actually slows progress (and how to stop doing it). How to read your dog’s “mistakes” as...
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373: Burnout in Dog Agility
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (37:02) Burnout isn’t just something that happens at work—it happens in dog agility, too. In this episode, we dive into what burnout looks like for handlers, why it happens, and how to recover in a healthy way. You Will Learn The three major predictors of burnout identified across 30+ studies: Why agility is uniquely vulnerable to burnout (and what’s missing compared to other sports). Practical ways to recover and prevent burnout for both you and your dog. Sponsored By
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372: “My Dog Deserves Better”
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (20:34) We’ve all said it. “My dog deserves better.” Maybe after a missed contact, a wide turn, or one of those runs where nothing clicks. But what does that phrase really mean? In this episode, we look at where it comes from, how it shapes the way we see ourselves as handlers, and what our dogs actually need from us. You Will Learn Why “my dog deserves better” comes from love and care, but can slowly turn into guilt. How to tell the difference between healthy accountability and self-blame that holds you back. Why having a super talented dog can feel like pressure...
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371: Kris Seiter & Naavdanya Win Worlds
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (48:38) This week on the Bad Dog Agility Podcast, we sit down with Kris Seiter, the newly crowned FCI Agility World Champion in the Intermediate height division, and her Border Collie Naavdanya, the first American team to win an overall individual gold medal since 2011. Fresh off their incredible performance in Kalmar, Sweden, Kris joins us to share what it felt like to stand atop the podium and take us behind the scenes of an unforgettable weekend on the world stage. You Will Learn Kris’s thoughts and emotions after each run at AWC How she and her husband share handling...
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370: FOMO in Dog Agility
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (32:54) In this episode, we unpack FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out, in the world of dog agility. From chasing every seminar and trend to feeling left behind when others seem to improve faster, we talk about how FOMO affects both handlers and dogs. Drawing on psychology, personal experience, and plenty of agility-specific examples, we explore how to recognize FOMO, how it can quietly derail progress, and how to shift toward a healthier mindset, the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO). Whether you’re a newcomer overwhelmed by all the options or a seasoned competitor trying to keep up with...
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370: FOMO in Dog Agility
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (32:54) In this episode, we unpack FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out, in the world of dog agility. From chasing every seminar and trend to feeling left behind when others seem to improve faster, we talk about how FOMO affects both handlers and dogs. Drawing on psychology, personal experience, and plenty of agility-specific examples, we explore how to recognize FOMO, how it can quietly derail progress, and how to shift toward a healthier mindset, the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO). Whether you’re a newcomer overwhelmed by all the options or a seasoned competitor trying to keep up with...
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369: Jennifer Gives a TED Talk
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (48:27) What does it really take to deliver a TED Talk? In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Crank to hear about her journey from invitation to standing on stage under the iconic red letters. Jennifer takes us behind the scenes of the months-long preparation process—from refining her script with TED coaches to designing visuals that would resonate with a global audience. You Will Learn Why TED Talks generate over $100 million each year and how that shapes the brand’s global reach How invited speakers work with a dedicated coach to refine and sharpen their story Why...
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368: From Agility Ring to Superman’s Superdog!
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (32:06) In this special episode, we sit down with agility competitor Connie Dieball, whose dog Jolene served as the reference dog for Krypto in the new Superman movie directed by James Gunn. Connie shares the amazing story of how Jolene made it to the big screen, what it was like filming on a major movie set, and how she balanced a full-time job while working on a blockbuster production. If you love agility, movies, or just great dog stories—this one’s for you. You Will Learn How Connie and Jolene got started in agility during the COVID-19 pandemic How Jolene was selected...
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367: The Success Cycle
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...
info_outlinephoto 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