In this episode, we sit down with Nancy Gyes as she reflects on two decades of coaching the AKC USA World Team at the FCI Agility World Championship. From her experiences as a competitor on the first-ever team in 1996 to leading the U.S. to international success, Nancy shares insights on how the sport has evolved, what it takes to stay competitive globally, and her thoughts on the future of U.S. agility. Plus, find out what’s next for Nancy as she steps down from her role.

• What it was like competing on the first AKC/USA World Team in 1996.
• The biggest changes in international agility competition over the past 30 years.
• Key trends in European agility influencing U.S. performance.
• The issues facing agility organizations in the team selection process.
• Nancy’s perspective on the toughest challenges and most memorable moments from her coaching career.

• We last spoke with Nancy on Episode 5 in 2012!!! Listen to this blast from the past: Episode 5: Nancy Gyes and Carrie DeYoung Interview
• Sarah’s Favorite Podcast: Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Klarman, the newly crowned 2025 Westminster Masters Agility Champion! Emily shares her experience competing on one of the biggest stages in the sport, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the Finals which was aired LIVE on Fox.

• Insights into the course design and how it compared to previous years.
• The impact of the surface on handling and performance.
• How the venue setup (including those huge poles!) affected the competition.
• The energy of the crowd and how it influences the dogs.

• UDog Agility
• Find Emily on Instagram: @roamingbcs

photo credit: Great Dane Photos

Big events bring excitement, pressure, and the opportunity to showcase all your hard work. But success doesn’t just happen—it’s the result of solid preparation, both physically and mentally. In this episode, we break down the key strategies that will set you up for success at major competitions, from learning the rules to fine-tuning your mental game.

• How to analyze event rules and judge tendencies to avoid surprises on competition day.
• Why studying past courses and running them in training gives you a competitive edge.
• The importance of mental preparation, visualization, and building confidence before the big event.
• How to perfect your routines at regular trials so they hold up under pressure.
• The key to staying flexible and adapting to unexpected challenges at high-stakes competitions.

• Visualization and Mental Preparation
• Episode 32: Improving Your Mental Game for Big Events

In this episode, we tackle a listener’s question: Can you excel in more than one agility venue? Specialization vs. versatility is a hot topic in dog sports, and we dive into the pros and cons of focusing on a single organization versus competing across multiple venues.

• How Jennifer Crank was selected to her high school’s Hall of Fame.
• How different agility organizations have distinct course design philosophies and challenges.
• How major events within a single organization, like the AKC Invitational, Westminster, and AKC FCI Agility World Championship tryouts, feature unique course designs and competitive demands.
• Why competitors increasingly have to choose where to spend their time and money, and how to make informed decisions based on factors specific to you and your dog.

• Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure
• Episode 239: How to Pick the Right Agility Organization for Your Dog
• Episode 224: Defining YOUR Success in Dog Agility

photo credit: Great Dane Photos

In this episode, we dive into the hottest agility topic on social media right now: the dogwalk. We explore the passionate and diverse opinions within the agility community about whether it’s time to rethink the design of this iconic piece of equipment. Joining us is Mark Bills of Clip and Go Agility, the creator of the 18″ wide dogwalk that’s been making waves on social media.

• How the agility community feels about changing the dogwalk specifications.
• Which groups of dogs could benefit from adjustments to the width or height.
• The pros and cons of modifying the dogwalk dimensions.
• How changes to the dogwalk could also improve safety on the teeter.
• The realistic costs involved in altering the width of the dogwalk.

• Click here for the Clip and Go video showing dogs doing a standard dogwalk and a wider, lower dogwalk.
• Facebook post from Katarina Podlipnik Capuder about her 40cm dogwalk.
• Update from Clip and Go

In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban explore the importance of community in dog agility. From local clubs to national events, they discuss how fostering connections can enhance your overall experience and help the sport thrive.

• Why community matters and how it can elevate your training and competition experience.
• Strategies for connecting with others at trials, classes, and clubs.
• Tips for creating an inclusive environment that welcomes newcomers and fosters belonging.
• It’s also okay to just show up and run your dog.

photo credit: Great Dane Photos

In this podcast, we explore how trailblazers redefine their fields, using Caitlin Clark’s transformative impact on women’s basketball as a lens to examine innovation in dog agility. From long-range shooting to running contacts, we discuss the creativity and risk-taking that drive progress in sports.

• How Caitlin Clark’s game is revolutionizing women’s basketball and inspiring the next generation of players.
• The parallels between sports like basketball and dog agility in fostering innovation and pushing boundaries.
• Key milestones in the evolution of dog agility, including running contacts, backsides, blind crosses, and advanced verbal cues.
• How risk-taking and creativity lead to game-changing breakthroughs in both human and canine sports.
• Why pioneers in any field are essential for shaping future strategies, techniques, and culture.

Join us as we celebrate the incredible career of Carrie DeYoung, who is retiring after a remarkable tenure as the Director of Agility for the American Kennel Club (AKC). Carrie reflects on her journey, her contributions to the sport, and her hopes for its future.

• How Carrie DeYoung shaped the landscape of AKC agility over her tenure.
• The challenges and triumphs she encountered in promoting agility nationwide.
• Key milestones and initiatives introduced under her leadership.
• Carrie’s vision for the future of agility sports and the AKC community.

• Episode 5: Nancy Gyes and Carrie DeYoung Interview
• Episode 31: How Does Internationalization Impact Dog Agility?
• Episode 36: The 2013 EO and AWC USA Teams
• Episode 59: The 2014 International Team Tryouts
• Episode 62: Celebrating 20 Years of AKC Agility
• Episode 93: The New AKC Premier Class is Coming
• Episode 202: AKC Invitational with Carrie DeYoung
• Episode 215: The 2019 AKC Agility Premier Cup Presented by EEM
• Episode 323: The Past, Present, and Future of AKC ISC
• Episode 331: Inside Look at AKC’s New Agility Proposals with Carrie DeYoung

In this episode, the team recaps the very first AKC ISC Championship event. Jennifer, who competed at the event, shares her firsthand experience, diving into the details of the event format, course design, and the competition’s atmosphere.

• How the inaugural AKC ISC Championship was structured, from the entry process to the competition format.
• The unique challenges and level distinctions in course design, and how they tested handlers’ skills.
• Details on the scoring system, including how faults and off-courses impacted the results and strategy.
• The role of the team event, how it influenced competitor handling, and the scoring nuances.
• The overall atmosphere of the event, how it was organized, and feedback from competitors on this new addition to the agility calendar.

• Episode 323: The Past, Present, and Future of AKC ISC
• Agility Nerd

In this episode, we sit down with Dalton Meredith, the Intermediate height overall individual silver medalist from this year’s FCI Agility World Championship (AWC). Dalton shares his thoughts on the UK’s recent success at FCI events, his unique experience competing in a runoff for individual gold, and emerging trends in course design.

• Insights into the UK’s growing presence and success at the FCI Agility World Championship.
• Dalton’s firsthand account of the intensity and excitement of a runoff for the individual gold medal.
• Key trends in agility course design and how they are impacting competitors.
• Where to follow Dalton and stay updated with his journey: Facebook and Instagram.

• Episode 85: Have We Solved the Game of Agility?
• Interview with Aneta Obrusníková
• The Rise and Fall of World Champions
• Follow Dalton on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094809501133