The Agility Odyssey Podcast

On this week's episode I'm talking about frustration... what it is, why we don't want it in our agility experience, and what we can do about it. The emotional experience of chronic frustration is painful for both us and our dogs, and agility doesn't need to be this way. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm talking about my summer with Spire, the frustration we faced, and the hard questions it caused me to ask. When agility became the biggest problem in our relationship it was, in my opinion, important to ask if we should quit. When it seemed increasingly clear Spire may not be suited for the agility experience I'd hoped for, it was fair to ask if a different home would suit her better. And although these may be controversial topics, I thought this discussion was worth sharing. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm discussing the important of being willing to slow down when we want to make meaningful change in our behavior, our dog's behavior, or the overall quality of the results we're creating. Building new skills and habits requires conscious effort and successful practice, and when we keep pushing forward it's too easy to keep falling into our old habits or rehearsing the same problems we're trying to resolve. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm reflecting on some thoughts inspired by the recent Agility World Championship and West Coast Open. I really enjoyed watching much of the AWC livestream and of course competing at WCO and both experiences left me feeling so grateful for our sport and the dogs who play it with us. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm talking about one of the most drawn-out and complex training puzzles I've ever tackled -- Spire's line up or ability to set up for reps of agility training. I know this can be a challenging part of the training process for many dogs, but Spire has certainly been the most extreme example of it I have personally seen. Recently this problem has hit what I hope is rock bottom, and I'm sharing the lessons and reminders that are helping me keep going with some hope we WILL solve this. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm talking about the preparation Zi and I have been doing for the UKI West Coast Open which is coming up NEXT WEEK. Big event prep is a little different with nine-year-old Zi and I'm sharing what we've been focused on and how my perspective has shifted as we've left our tryouts era in our past. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm talking about nurturing calm, regulated behavior around agility. I don't need or want my dogs to be asleep while waiting their turn in an agility context, but I do want them to understand how to access their turn through behavior that helps them start their runs in a productive state of mind. It's also important to me that their behavior in these moments isn't rude or disruptive to others around us. In this episode I'm sharing some of the key point of how I build the behavior I want around agility. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

On this week's episode of the podcast I'm sharing some thoughts and reflections I have about Ziya turning nine. Mostly, I feel incredibly blessed to have shared my life with her for the last nine years and I'm so glad she came into my life at a time when I was able to fully appreciate that. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm talking about all the things I did to prepare Spire for the agility trial environment that happened outside the agility trial environment. In fact, outside of the agility context altogether. It's important to me that my dogs be eager and confident participants in my agility adventures, and there's a great deal I do outside of agility that helps that happen. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm discussing my current thoughts on how I'd like to mentally prepare for my next puppy. I feel I did a disservice to Spire and myself by being clear on my agility aspirations for her, but forgetting to embrace the uncertainty and impact any puppy can bring to our lives. So, this is my reminder for my future self, and I hope you find it helpful, too.

In this week's episode I'm talking about striking a balance between being thoughtful and taking action, because both are undoubtedly essential to making progress in agility. What do your natural strengths lie? How is your current balance working for you? These are things I am always conscious of because it's so important to me to create the best experience I can for myself and my dogs. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this episode I'm talking about what it means to me to practice intentional agility trialing and why I think it's important. In my experience, competing with intent and purpose creates a more deeply satisfying connection with the sport and a better experience for both myself and my dogs. So, how do we subscribe to this belief that the rules of the agility game are things we use to inspire and motivate us, but NOT to define our success? Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episodes I'm sharing my take on building engagement. Engagement, enthusiasm, focus... these are essential to our dog sports partnership, and the specific ingredients or techniques that work best for each team can vary, but the fundamental principles are similar across the board. In this episode I share some of the top things I consider when it comes to building strong engagement. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm talking about how sometimes we make choices that aren't convenient for us or conducive to our dog sports goals because they're in the best interest of our dogs. It's helpful for me to recognize that sometimes I'm going to make decisions for my dogs that require me to hold myself to a higher standard, and it's worth the commitment to see them thriving in their lives. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm sharing some updates on my journeys with Zi and Spire. I gathered some valuable data from our weekend at the UKI Classic, I'm enjoying sharing this trip with my two best companions, and I'm so looking forward to the remaining plans we have here in Washington. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I start off with a little update about Zi and what Zi, Spire, and I will be up to for the next two weekends. I then move on to discuss my perspective on the problem of other people's thoughts... what do we do when the idea that other people are thinking about or judging our training or performance starts to interfere with our ability to be in the moment and show up for our dogs? If you can relate to this struggle, I hope this episode will help. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm sharing more mindset thoughts inspired by the Ears Up Agility Mindset Summit on the topic of being a values-based agility competitor. What do we do when conflict arises between our competitive aspirations and our values? In my experience, finding the right balance between possibility and peace is key to showing up for my dogs the way I want to be for them each day. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In today's episode I'm sharing some of the most valuable gifts and lessons my horses gave me that have helped me with my mindset in agility. I'm so glad my dogs and I have benefited from these lessons, and I hope you will find them useful, too. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In this week's episode I'm sharing some recent developments in Spire's training that have pushed me to be a better trainer and, once again, to find my patience and faith in her. It's an on-going practice and a choice to find the fascination instead of wallowing in frustration, and I hope this story helps you when some frustration finds its way into your agility journey. At the end of episode I mentioned next weeks Ears Up Agility Mindset Summit - find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122162808392706616&set=a.122110561082706616 Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b

In today's episode I'm talking about marker cues and why using them effectively can really improve your agility experience and results. We've been discussing markers within my Limitless Agility Foundations program, clearing up common misunderstandings, and addressing common mistakes, and I decided to share some of the things that have come up there on the podcast. Like what you heard and want more? Check out my Facebook page, Agility Odyssey, at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey. Or join my email list here: https://agilityodyssey.mykajabi.com/signup-46bd1cf8-8d47-4db6-bc3c-eb213fa59e8b