Bitches in Season

This week we sit down with Sarah Rutland to talk about performance Papillons, building a breeding program, and the completely normal amount of emotional attachment one can have to a tiny French dog named Primo.

This week, we’re sitting down with our dear friend and honorary "Bitch in Season," Sydney Bates.

If you’ve been around the Philadelphia dog scene, you might have seen Sydney at one of about a dozen types of dog sport events! With 15 years in the game, she’s truly a dog sport Renaissance woman. In this episode, we’re going totally off-script to talk about Sydney’s wild journey through the dog world.

We’re diving into:

The "Bucket Bitch" Chronicles: Sydney shares her origin story, from scooping poop for high school credit at a professional kennel to being the ultimate "bucket bitch" at national Schutzhund (IGP) championships.

Schutzhund Tea: What’s the vibe of the protection sport world? Sydney gives us the diplomatic (and not-so-diplomatic) lowdown on the precision, the egos, and the literal parking lot brawls.

The Pivot to Pet Training: Why Sydney started a training business during the 2020 puppy boom and the emotional toll of dealing with the people side of pet training and rehoming cases.

Terrier Energy: How Sydney went from Golden Retrievers to finding her true calling with her Jack Russell, Tripp (and why everyone thought she was crazy for doing it) and back to her perfect Golden.

Mushrooms & Aliens: Yes, we take a detour into whether fungi are from outer space. Don't ask, just listen.

Whether you’re a precision-obsessed handler or just someone who’s been bitten by a Jack Russell, this episode is packed with the kind of gatekeeping, gossip, and girl-talk you love.

This week we’re joined by Kelly Peterson of Dognerd Animal Talent, and this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes chaos. If you’ve ever wondered how dogs end up in commercials, TV shows, or modeling tiny outfits for major brands, this one’s for you.

Kelly shares how she went from working in entertainment to building a business casting and training animal talent, plus what really happens on set when producers expect dogs to act like human actors. Spoiler: it’s never that simple.

We get into wild client requests, the truth about what makes a dog castable, why sport dogs shine on set, and some of the funniest stories from her career involving puppies, pigs, horses, and a search for the perfect “ugly dog.”

Lights, camera… bitches. 

After an accidental hiatus (oops… one week turned into many), we’re back and more unhinged than ever. This episode is a full-on catch-up: no structure, no plan, just your favorite bitches yapping.

Rachael recaps the absolute chaos that was NAC in California, think 109° heat, RV meltdowns, overheated computers, and Chessy still showing up like the queen she is. Lynsey dives into EO tryouts, mindset shifts, and learning how to take the pressure off while still chasing big goals. And Lizzie?? She’s BACK back, post-injury, fresh out of PT, and entering her first trial again (with a side of “agility twisties”).

We’re talking:

It’s messy, it’s funny, but mostly it’s just us being us. If you missed our voices… this one’s for you.

The bitches are back. For real this time.

The agility world is fighting on the internet again, so naturally, we had to talk about it. 

On this week's episode of Bitches in Season, we are unpacking the hot debate regarding balanced training in dog sports. But before we judge, we confess. All three of us share our personal stories of using e-collars and prongs in the past, the mistakes we made, and the specific moments that changed our minds.

Tune in for the laughs and the cringe, stay for the honest conversation about why fear has no place on an agility course.

We love a cross-generational bestie! This week, Charly Teller joins the chat to prove that agility friendships have no age limit, whether you’re 20 or 80.

We talk about her journey from Junior World Team competitor to pre-vet school student, and why her dad is secretly the ultimate Agility Gossip Girl (seriously, he knows more tea than we do)

We also dive into our own cringey childhood stories because what are friends for? Grab a drink, get comfy, and join us for an episode full of friendship, nostalgia, and just the right amount of chaos.

This week we’re sitting down with Tori of Wild at Heart Pet Company - creative chaos, business brains, and one of the kindest humans in dog sporting gear. We get into the real story behind building a brand from nothing, terrifying first investments, and why “overnight success” is a lie.

From soggy first setups and mental breakdowns in parking lots to becoming a must-stop booth at major events, Tori shares what it takes to survive (and thrive) as a small business owner in dog sports. If you’ve ever wanted to bet on yourself but were scared to jump, this one’s for you.

This week, we got to chat with an actual renaissance woman and total badass: McKenzie Minto: Team USA veteran, UKI Judge, and Co-Director of the amazing Boundless Junior Agility Company (BJAC). Oh, and she has a 9-5 too! Seriously, what can't she do? McKenzie is a pro at setting audacious goals, making no apologies for being an ambitious young woman, and always enjoying the journey.

McKenzie started agility at just 8 years old and was literally raised by the sport. Tune in to learn what it’s really like competing on the World Stage as a teenager and how she managed to stay out of the drama. You'll be impressed by how she's way more mature and grounded than us when it comes to keeping perspective about a sport that easily takes over your identity.

Plus, we get the scoop on her mission with BJAC: building community among young agility handlers, removing barriers, and creating massive new opportunities each year to inspire the next generation. Tune in for this insightful (and maybe a little gossipy) look at the youths who are shaping our sport!

Bitch, say cheese! This week’s episode features the one and only Nadia Hall, the owner of Barking Dog Images and the talent behind some of agility’s most iconic shots!

From freezing those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments in the ring to understanding what makes each dog shine, Nadia gives us a behind-the-lens look at the artistry, chaos, and emotion of capturing our sport.

We chat about what it’s really like photographing our dogs (and us!) in the heat of competition, her favorite moments, and the creative process that brings every image to life. Nadia shares her secrets to capturing the pure joy (and sometimes chaos!) of the handler/dog relationship and built a career doing what she loves most, celebrating the bond between handler and dog.

Whether you’re an agility competitor, a dog lover, or just someone who appreciates a killer photo, this episode will make you see the sport in a whole new light.

You already knew we were opinionated bitches and this week, we’re proving it! You asked, and we answered with our most unfiltered thoughts yet. From the latest internet agility drama to the ongoing debate about the too-high, too-skinny dog walk, we’re tackling the topics everyone’s buzzing about with zero filter.

Tune in for a full dose of honesty, laughter, and the occasional gasp as we share what’s really on our minds. Then tell us your own spicy opinions, because we know our fellow bitches in season always have something to say 😈