Are you training beautiful contact criteria in class—only to let it slide when you step into the competition ring? You may be unintentionally teaching your dog that the rules change when it matters most. Contact criteria isn't a mechanical issue. It's a communication issue.

In this episode, I'm joined by special guest, Janey Bell, a top notch instructor and facility owner. We’ll talk about contact criteria, competition mistakes, stopped vs. running contacts, frustration and confusion in your dog, and when it may be time to retrain the behavior. We’ll also look at how instructors can help handlers build contact skills that are clear, consistent, and sustainable.

Website:

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/

Online Classroom:

https://canine-culture.thinkific.com/

In this episode, I answer some hot topic questions on NRM's, Training Priorities in Young dogs, obstacle struggles, Ring Stress, private coaching advantages and unwanted advice.

Ring Stress Online Class

https://canine-culture.thinkific.com/courses/ring-stressed

Private Coaching Program

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/Private-Online-Coaching

In this episode, I discuss the most commonly seen wasted training opportunities to enhance your dog's skills. In order to amplify understanding of a skill, we must strategically reward it in a manner that is significant to the dog. Have a listen and see what you can do to take your dog's skills to a high level of clarity.

Analysis of the responses to my viral post that asked the question "If you could change one thing in agility, what would that be?" 656 comments were studied for the most common to give us the Top 10, the most unusual and what wasn't mentioned. The recurring themes are quite interesting!

Link to original post

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1526155965964464&set=a.549499100296827

My Website:

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/

In this episode, I host special guest, Kaitlyn Kaminski of WAO & European Open Team USA. We discuss her compelling agility story of rising fast to the top shelf of USA agility. Kaitlyn recently competed at the World Agility Open running clean in 5/6 runs. Take a listen!

My website:

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/

In this episode, I discuss the importance of ring readiness for competition and keeping dogs under control. I dive into how to devlelop it and maintain it, along with why everyone should do their part to keep the agility community safe. The cornerstone of teamwork is Engagement.

Website:

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/

I discuss some of the common training problems and setbacks in agility training. I provide strategies on how to work out of a training session failure and how to set-up training sessions to prevent potential setbacks from occurring. Learn about factors that can cause training issues and how to avoid them.

My website:

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/

In this "ask me anything" episode, I answer questions from listeners that are all over the agility spectrum. Questions spanned from arousal issues, mental games for dogs, making practice engaging, managing multiple dogs in training, canine fitness schedules, startline routines and more!

Puppy Cognition Study Overview:

https://today.duke.edu/2025/12/inside-minds-puppies-how-do-they-develop-their-thinking-skills

Arousal Control Online Class:

https://canine-culture.thinkific.com/courses/ring-impulse-control

Yerkes-Dodson Law of Performance/Arousal

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/EndUserFiles/79262.pdf

Fitness For Agility Online Class:

https://canine-culture.thinkific.com/courses/FitnessForAgility

My Website:

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/

In this episode, I share smart strategies for all of the pre-planning to maximize your course walk. Find out how to optimally prime your brain for the most bandwidth to get the most out of your 8 minutes. Clever insights and tricks that will likely lead to better outcomes in your runs.

Mastering Course Memorization Online Class:

https://canine-culture.thinkific.com/courses/course-memorization

My website:

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/

In this episode, I discuss the characteristics of sensitive dogs and the training considerations for them. Learning to train a sensitive dog in a manner that keeps their confidence high and their sensitivites low. More dogs are "sensitive" then we realize.

Website:

https://www.canineculturecompany.com/

Online Classroom:

https://canine-culture.thinkific.com/