In this episode, McKenzie Minto, Co-director of Boundless Junior Agility, joins the podcast to share insights into the Boundless Junior Agility Company (BJAC). Mackenzie discusses how the organization supports junior handlers by offering camps, training programs, and new opportunities for young agility enthusiasts.

• The origins and mission of the Boundless Junior Agility Company.
• Details about BJAC’s camps, including the Lend a Paw program, where juniors can train with seasoned dogs.
• The Boundless Junior Agility League, a virtual competition for junior handlers.
• The announcement of the UKI Boundless Youth Championship in June 2025, which offers win-on spots for the World Agility Open 2026 and the US Open.
• How BJAC focuses on promoting sportsmanship and developing strong competitors both on and off the field.

• Boundless Junior Agility Co Website
• Episode 66: The Decline of AKC’s Novice A Class

In this episode, we explore a powerful quote from an Olympian about the delicate balance between wanting success and not needing it for self-worth. We dive into the psychology of high achievement, the importance of resilience, and how to pursue goals without letting them define who you are. This episode will help you rethink what it means to strive for success while keeping your mental and emotional health in check.

• The difference between wanting success and needing it for validation.
• Why tying your self-worth to achievements can be mentally harmful.
• How to maintain resilience and perspective in the face of failure.
• Why many instructors struggle with poor performances.

• Watch Jemima Montag’s Interview: https://www.facebook.com/realcarrickryan/videos/1695946174525648/
• Bad Dog Agility Goes to Westminster 2016

Penny Leigh joins the podcast to talk about the AKC Agility League. The next season of the League is open NOW and registration closes September 11th. Talk with your friends and form your teams to join!

• The purpose and history of the agility league.
• How the agility league can benefit you and your dog.
• Why the league is not a replacement for trials.
• How to create a team and get started!
• How training schools and facilities are building classes around the league season.

• The main AKC Agility League webpage: https://www.akc.org/akc-agility-league/
• Info on How to Get Started
• How to Wheel a Course for AKC Agility League

Dudley Shumate joins the podcast to talk about the inaugural Senior Open, a new international event for competitors 55 and older, hosted by the FCI. The event was held in Belgium from July 18-21, 2024.

• The structure of the Senior Open Agility World Championship (SOAWC).
• How the US Team was selected.
• Dudley’s advice to competitors, especially seniors.

• Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure
• Follow Dudley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009140141755
• Watch Dudley’s Winning Run on Facebook or YouTube (different view)

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.

• 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.

• 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 Wrap-up
• Watch Jenn and Bee on all three rounds here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cvPPmrt0Sc

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.

• 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.

• Thunder Shirt
• ElleVet Calm & Comfort Chews

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.

• 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.

• AKC Q Rates for 2023
• A Look at Qualification Rate by Height
• A Look at Speed by Height

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.

• 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 agility event.
• Reasons why Nimble, as the overall winner, has garnered extra attention from the national media, from the New York Times to the Wall Street Journal.

• Westminster Special: Mutt Hysteria (Catching Up With Stacey and Roo!)

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.

• 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-scenes look at the planning and execution that goes into organizing the event.
• Insights into the criteria and process for selecting competitors for future events.

• The British Agility Website: https://britishagility.co.uk/
• British Agility on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/britishagility.co.uk/
• Meet the athletes: https://www.facebook.com/reel/767676161746514
• Watch the Promo Reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1779892522531298

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.

• The significance of health clearances in agility training and breeding.
• Why hips, elbows, and eyes are crucial health checks for agility dogs.
• How breed-specific clearances can inform your training and breeding decisions.
• The role of breeders and owners in ensuring the health and fitness of agility dogs.
• Practical advice on when and how to get these health clearances for your dog.

• Episode 329: Early Take Off (ETO) – Part 1
• Episode 330: Early Take Off (ETO) – Part 2

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.

• 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 reward to increase the dog’s commitment to the obstacle.

• Episode 187: Physical and Mental Commitment
• How Committed Are You?
• Episode 104: Building Confidence Through Challenges