378: Westminster Masters Agility Champion Amber McCune
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (45:48) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban are joined by Masters Agility Champion Amber McCune to break down the 2026 Westminster Masters Agility Championship. The conversation ranges from course design and footing to venue history and how the event experience has changed over the years. You Will Learn How course design, footing, and venue choices shape both performance and the competitor experience at Westminster. How Jenn and Amber adjusted their handling to account for the unique format for making finals. Why Amber didn’t get to wear a sparkly dress. Sponsored...
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377: Wait Your Turn
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (26:49) In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about the often ignored reality of agility: most of the time, dogs are not running, they are waiting. They explore why “waiting your turn” is a human concept, how dogs experience these in between moments through anticipation or regulation, and why early anticipation can lead to anxiety for some dogs while others switch on and off easily. The conversation highlights the importance of noticing how much waiting exists and being intentional about what dogs are actually doing during that time. You Will Learn Why...
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376: Optimal Lines in Agility
Bad Dog Agility Podcast
In this episode (28:39) This week on the podcast, we take a closer look at how dogs actually run a course and what handlers can do to help them run it faster and with more confidence. We explain why dogs run lines rather than individual obstacles and how understanding your dog’s stride, structure, and turning ability helps you choose the best line for any sequence. We also talk about why the fastest path is not always the shortest and how video comparison reveals the true optimal line for your dog. You Will Learn Why you should handle lines, not individual obstacles How pulling, position,...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 information about confidence, arousal, and understanding.
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