Startline Podcast

15/11/2024

Latest episode drop, hope you’re not disappointed 😉

Podcast Episode · Startline · 11/15/2024 · 14m

05/08/2024

I'm known to have EVERYTHING a person could need when away from home, even probably more than most people have in their home but I carry it in a convenient tool bag. From safety pins and measuring tape to pain relievers and stomach soothers, I am known as CVS - Cara's Variety Service.

While I might be a handy individual to have at the agility trial, there is nothing stopping you from being this prepared. I review what's in my bag, provide a list, go over what I have in my car and a few things in my home that have made living with dogs easier (and cleaner).

After I finished recording I saw plenty more items to mention but just figured I will have to do a V2 of this episode.

Click on the show notes on whatever platform you listen to for links to some of the products I recommend. Full disclosure, only the rug link and Cody's Creations do I get credit for, both awesome companies give me a discount when I buy from them again. I might be all set on rugs for now, but I can always use another collar!
Don't need a new rug or collar but still want to keep me going? Consider giving a little on startlinepod.com - just hit the donate button top left.

Listen here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startline/id1506830920 (or wherever you like to listen)

06/06/2024

I've been watching friends and good handlers crumble under the pressure of trying to qualify for the 2024 AKC Agility Invitationals. While I know how to comfort them and buy them a drink, I needed to lean on the expert Julie Bacon, AKA ⁠The Q Coach to help teach us all how to get a grip on the mindset that is melting our agility skills.

Julie as always gives us helpful hints, tools and processes to get out of our head and get in the game. Or for some, to let go of the pressure and just have fun, that is what we signed up for in the first place isn't it?

Listen for some strategies on how you can improve your mindset, which ultimately enhances your team's success when trying to reach that goal of qualifying for a big event like Invitationals, Nationals or even Westminster.

Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠⁠⁠⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here⁠⁠⁠⁠ (go to startlinepod.com and hit the donate button)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startline/id1506830920

18/04/2024

The AKC tabled the table for the excellent master class, added the allowance of the wall jump and FEO. They added yardage, decreased the use of the tire and stopped requiring bar jumps (2-bar jumps).

I was going to do a podcast on these changes but figured I could get my opinion out in maybe a short post, sorry if this gets long.

I love all of this but want to highlight two changes that I find to have the biggest impact.

1. The table going away for the excellent/masters class just seems logical. We've proved its point, dogs can pause while in drive. Heck, they used to have to get into an assigned position set by the judge. But interestingly enough, you could get out of open without ever completing the table without a fault. Your dog does have to stay on it for the judge's five-second count, but your dog could get off and get back on and you could still qualify with that fault. Just thought that was interesting.

2. FEO is the biggie for me. I'm not a rule breaker but I did break some rules doing happy loops with my dogs in regular classes. The whistle blew and I always was out well before the time it would have taken me to do the actual course. I always did abridged versions for the confidence and happiness of my dog. Making sure I started off and followed as much of the course as I could while maintaining my dog's spirit and not upsetting the judge's. I have suggested others do it and it never sat right because it was wrong. It breaks the rules, well not anymore (starting July 1st)!

We can, beginning July 1st run FEO in all classes and as an instructor, this makes me so thrilled for my students. While FEO in Time 2 Beat and FAST were definitely wonderful to have, they always permitted us to omit the "important classes" and then left many of us in conflict. We knew we weren't supposed to train in the regular classes but we could still qualify if we pretend-trained. It never works, I would see student after student try for that Q only to lose sight of what they needed to work on. I did very much the same. Soon enough we can legally throw our Q-feelings out the window and do what is right for our team if we need it. The pressure to perform is now more of a choice and I just think that is great.

So cheers AKC for listening and acting quickly. I can now add the table along with the chute and the 4-paw rule to times of yore.

14/04/2024

Positive reinforcement isn't just a training method; it's a lifestyle, one that can transform not only the way we interact with our dogs but also how we approach life's challenges. For many, myself included, it's been a profound shift in perspective.
Positive reinforcement training isn't just about rewarding good behavior; it's about fundamentally altering how we perceive and respond to our dogs' actions. It encourages us to shift from a fault-finding mindset to a solution-oriented one, focusing on reinforcing desired behaviors rather than punishing unwanted ones.
But positive reinforcement goes beyond just training techniques; it's about building a relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and understanding. As someone who's practiced various training methods, including e-collar training, I've come to appreciate the nuanced effectiveness of positive reinforcement.
In the world of dog sports like agility, where precise communication and teamwork are paramount, positive reinforcement shines as a guiding principle. It challenges us to communicate clearly, reinforce desired behaviors consistently, and adapt to our dogs' individual needs and learning styles. And while the journey may not always be straightforward or glamorous, the rewards—both in terms of performance and the bond we share with our dogs—are immeasurable. So let's embrace the power of positivity, not just in training our dogs, but in all aspects of our lives.

listen here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startline/id1506830920?i=1000652359532

To follow me on TikTok and see the awesome Wendy biting my feet video click here https://www.tiktok.com/ the video is pinned to the top

Happy to be listening and learning? Want to keep me motivated? You can ⁠⁠⁠buy me a matcha or a chai latte by dropping some coin here https://www.startlinepod.com/
⁠⁠(hit the donate button right there on the homepage).

16/03/2024

Thanks Arden Moore for this article. I guess Dogster updated it so it’s making the rounds again. I definitely believe her healthy diet kept her going all those years without but one injury. Conditioning as well of course.

What you select to put in your dog’s food bowl and dole out as treats can make a difference in staving off — or at least, delaying — the onset of arthritis and other aches and pains in her joints.

16/03/2024

When our dog is stressed, we often find our connection breaks.
Picture a Venn diagram where two circles, stress and connection intersect. It is here that we need to find our way back into connection and away from the dark cloud of stress.

While connection has much to do with our dog's ability to perform the behavior you have cued, stress can prevent a known behavior from being able to occur in an environment for which you cannot or do not train, like a trial.

In the episode, I discuss how you can look for this stress, how you can use class to train through it and examples of how I moved that dark stressy cloud out of my way.

Keep in mind, each team is different, for some stress-relieving behaviors before entering the ring are paramount, for others they are detrimental.

Listen here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startline/id1506830920?i=1000649372902 or wherever you get your podcasts

15/03/2024

I am grateful and THRILLED with the work loubarnicle.com did with my new logo. Lou is a local exhibitor, friend and graphic designer.

I just LOVE the agility community, need a dentist, we've got one, need a graphic designer, we've got one, need a dog trainer, we've got a few!

Shop local but don't forget to shop right at your next trial, the person behind you at your setup could be the person who helps make your life better.

18/02/2024

After listening and then re-listening to ⁠Daisy Peel's The Agility Challenge Podcast Episode 13 on Where to start when you're starting and what makes an expert an expert⁠ I was inspired to discuss with my listeners the points I agreed with as well as expand upon this concept.

I wanted to discuss what makes a good trainer and how can you be a good student, it is a two-way street.

I am still very much both. Hopefully, I will continue to be a trainer but I will ALWAYS be a student. I am a consumer of education and it is in my team's best interest to find a trainer or trainers that best fit my needs. I also have a responsibility to be a good student to whatever trainer I choose.

30/01/2024

I have zero issues asking for help, but it seems impossible to even do that when I am so stuck in inaction. Thankfully Julie has been able to kick my ass into gear by getting me back to my why and doing what I love, not just what needs to get done.

Our agility community is LOADED with resources, agility coaches, graphic designers, accountants, engineers, web developers, mindset coaches etc. When you feel stuck in your training, with your business marketing, your finances, or whatever, look around you at the next trial and get to know your crate neighbor. They might just be the person who can help you achieve what you want to get done.

And when you get stuck in your dog performance training or life, reach out to Julie The Q Coach to find your juice to get going.

Listen here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startline/id1506830920?i=1000643532331 or wherever you get your podcasts

25/01/2024

I'm coming back to the airwaves but I needed a little help first. Julie from The Q Coach reached out to me to discuss the not-often-talked-about topic of grief. She and I lost dogs in 2023 and it rocked our worlds and our mindsets. Hopefully, by talking about it we can help some of you, and more people can understand the unyielding power of grief.

No matter how much research I did, I couldn't change, move or shape this journey. You have to accept and embrace it for what it's worth because the worth of the dogs we lost is so immense that the repair and rebuild will take whatever amount of time it needs.

20/01/2024

Hello Agility Addicts,

I know I have been quiet and as many of you may know I lost my Debbie in early December. I have more podcasts to release but grief has crippled my motivation. I will get back at it, not just for you but for me! I love doing my podcast.

In the meantime, I know many of you have seen this already but for those that have not, the AKC board had several changes proposed at the January board meeting. These will be further discussed at the April meeting but the pattern of behavior is that these tend to go through. I personally am excited for all of these proposals and feel they bring about good changes to the AKC sport of agility.