We had a double whammy this episode and had the privilege of interviewing AKC rep Arlene Spooner. In order to become a rep, you have to have judged and typically reps then can no longer judge. Thanks to the paindemic, unusual circumstances allowed an AKC agility rep to get back out there and judge. We get to learn from both sides, what it's like to be a judge, be a rep and then get to judge during the pandemic. Arlene like most reps is instrumental in not only reviewing courses so we can...

Another wonderful judge interview! Oksana couldn't figure out what our issues were in the 20" class after running a couple of Corgi's for many years so she got herself a super fast Australian Shepherd - now she knows!  Listen to what she has learned with her 20" dog, how she commits herself to judging and the fun she has. Oksana always brings her big smile and dedication to judging; enjoy, learn and enter under her when you can, you won't regret it. But tie your shoes, you'll be...

Another fabulous judge interview. We dive into a little psychology of the sport and dogs, learn a ton about how Laura got into agility as well as judging. Find out what Laura likes most about agility and what she wishes every exhibitor knew.  As always, rate, review, SHARE and subscribe!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support

AKC Agility Judge Zach Davis helped us kick off this delightful series with a wonderful interview into the insight of a judge. Find out just what happens and goes into getting yourself in the middle of the ring. Zach gives some valuable advice to exhibitors and we let him know just what we think of his course designs!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support

Attending an agility event has become a hot topic. Opinions are flying but we encourage you to focus on the facts. Understanding the information available will help you make a decision that works for you. Cara made the decision to attend the AKC Agility Invitationals with 2 of her dogs. She gives a recap in this episode and also discusses with Michele why she didn't go and why they both will not be attending AKC nationals despite having several dogs eligible.  This is a judgment-free...

Obsessing can run right down the leash and ruin your runs. We have firsthand experience with obsessions, learn how you can recognize and rise above the compulsive feeling to obsess! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support

The Rona is hanging around longer than any of us could have imagined. What was once how we did things has now become how are we doing things? Gather the information you can from your confirmation but otherwise, show up, be appreciative that you have the chance to run with your dogs, and be adaptable; things can change instantly - and that is Ok!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast:...

We talk to the VP of USDAA, Andy Hartman to learn about how they have pivoted in the pandemic to bring agility to anyone, right from their home. New to agility or a long time addict, the at-home program has something perfect for you. Go to https://www.usdaa.com/athome/index.cfm for more details on how you can play agility at home in the PAIN-demic!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast:...

COVID-19 has changed the landscape of agility trials for the foreseeable future. The need for volunteers and more of them is even greater. We take a deep dive into the importance and fun you can have working at a trial, especially now in the paindemic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support

There are several agility organizations where we have the privilege to trial with our pups. Most of us trial to showcase our relationship with our canine partners and while our dogs get rewarded in tugging or cookies, we get rewarded in ribbons. The collection of titles and ribbons becomes addicting and in each organization, there is the big daddy title - your championship.  Explore along with us the various ways in which five of the most popular agility organizations award championships. If...

"A goal without a plan is just a wish".  We all wish to be great at agility but it takes planning, goal setting, evaluating and often changing your goals. It of course takes training, dedication, money and all that good stuff but in this episode, we specifically dive into the benefit of setting goals. You also will help your team and mental strength by being prepared to change them. Learn about realizing that and how to accomplish it, knowing when to change your goals is hard. Goals without...

Michele and I dive anecdotally deep into trial stress. It's been one of our biggest challenges and we are quasi-experts in the field at this point. From stressing up to stressing down, our dogs have displayed it all but certainly not in all the ways it can be displayed. We encourage you to step back and look at your runs objectively. Is your dog happy? Are you finding yourself having to cheerlead and by the end of the run exhausted that you had to coax your dog along with promises of sweet...

Michele and Cara dip their toes back in the agility trial waters. The new normal has some benefits and if you want to be a part of it, think about joining a club!  We discuss all of that as well as fat bars, a bit about stress and what we missed these past 3 months away from trials.  Clubs, trial secretaries, and venue owners are working hard to bring us the sport we love. Support them with your entries, your offers to help and by focusing on what is working.  Most importantly, be kind to...

We take a step into Cara's wheelhouse in this episode. One of her favorite things to do is organize because the goal of organization is to create efficiency. Efficiency means preventing the wasteful use of a particular resource such as time! Finding shows, filling out entries and keeping track of Q's can be overwhelming and super-duper time-consuming. It doesn't have to be. Learn some hacks that Cara and Michele use so they know how to find shows, how to track what the heck you entered, how...

Canine conditioning is a big deal regardless if you have a performance dog or a couch potato. Older dogs, baby puppies and everything in between need regular fitness exercise in order to be healthy.  Karen Kay, from Kay9 Fitness, joins us to explain just why that is. So many dogs are receiving wonderful veterinary and post-op care for injuries but what if you could help prevent them in the first place?  The health of our dogs is in our hands. The more fit we can keep them, the more likely...

The agility forums have been littered with worries about having to crate from our cars so Michele and I decided to tackle this tantrum head-on. We both happen to be experts in crating out of our cars, particularly in hot weather - we do not have heat-tolerant dogs by any stretch of the imagination. Listen as we describe our setups and even post them on Facebook, we have it down to the tiny 4" spot you might have in your car, Cara knows something you could stick there like your chair! We also...

Michele and I set out this week to bring you great information on how you can keep your dog conditioned during the pandemic. We even made some videos to share with what you can accomplish with things such as couch cushions - but things changed.  We both have had an emotionally tough week and rather than provide an episode on conditioning, which we still absolutely will, we're bringing you an episode on keeping your mental condition healthy. The Stockdale Paradox, created by James Stockdale,...

Michele and I are lucky to trial in New England which is chock full of super agility stars. Many, even as much as half of the members on the Agility World Team are from here, so we naturally get to fangirl these folks. Meg McCarthy Cataldo is just one of those agility superstars and we brought her on to share with you.  We learn how she first found agility from a TV segment to how she set her goal to make the World team, conquering it twice, but not without a couple of years spent taking the...

You're stuck at home - you have some equipment, you don't have any equipment, you have a well-trained dog, you have a novice dog. . . it doesn't matter! We discuss so many options available to you without equipment, skill or geographical limitations. Here are some thoughts - ok, really our outline for the episode but you get the idea. At-Home Training What equipment do you have and workspace What level are you What resources are there available? Equipment Sawhorses and broom...

Michele and I had the privilege to spend our evening with Grace Heck (houndsofheck.com) and Stefanie Rainer (stefanierainer.com). These two women are not only sparkling stars in the agility ring but they are spreading sparkles around our community with their Power of Positivity Fundraiser (and T-shirts). The dog training world has taken a huge hit in the pandemic. Not only were the mats rolled out from underneath all of the competitors but the trainers were left without students, without...

Let us know what you are doing to stay positive during the PAIN-demic. What activities are you doing with your pups, what are some new things you wouldn't have been able to do or find yourself with more time to do? Please share, we need the social interaction :) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support

Michele and I discuss at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown of all things social in life, the impact of refunds on clubs versus exhibitors. We don't always agree so enjoy listening to how our opinions panned out.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support

We go through the process of how to enter a trial. We may also plea for online entries, listen and enjoy our conversation!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support

Join us as we share our stories with our first agility dogs!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support

Our first episode! Get an idea of what's to come. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/startlinepod/support