Borderline Obsessed Agility Podcast

The puppy talk continues! Now that the initial excitement of adding a new four-legged partner has settled in, Ali and Shay are pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to raise, train, and understand this brilliant breed. In this episode, we introduce Shadow, the newest Border Collie puppy to join the mix, and break down the reality of finding your perfect sport and working partner.

Get ready for an insightful, honest conversation about the spectrum of drive, temperament, and personality differences within the breed. Shay and Ali talk about the reality of moving from softer dogs to confident, high-drive puppies, and why a rock-solid "off switch" is just as important as a massive work ethic. From decoding working lines to balancing high arousal in sports, they share their personal experiences with finding that sweet spot between a fierce competitor on the field and a great companion at home.

Whether you are currently researching lines for your next agility superstar, weighing the differences between herding breeds, or trying to manifest your own dream puppy cross through diligent research, this episode is packed with real talk about trusting the process, celebrating breed quirks, and building a foundation of mutual respect with your dog.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Introducing Shadow: Getting to know Ali's newest Border Collie puppy, initial temperament insights, and celebrating the milestone moments of early training.

• The Drive Spectrum: Comparing working lines, navigating high arousal, and understanding the massive variations in personality within the Border Collie breed.

• The Power of the Off Switch: Why structural soundness and a natural ability to settle matter just as much as biddability and high energy.

• Breed Showdown: How distinct herding breed traits influence training responsiveness, social neutrality, and active lifestyles.

• Manifesting the Perfect Match: A deep dive into pedigree, background research, and health testing, and why prioritizing clear values leads to the ultimate sports partnership.

  
  

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The secret is officially out—Season 2 is here, and we have puppies on the brain! After taking a little hiatus to focus on our dogs, we are back, re-energized, and kicking off a totally new chapter of the pod. If you’ve scrolled through Instagram lately, it feels like everyone is announcing a new addition, and we’ve officially joined the club! In this episode, Ali and Shay introduce Prim, the newest Border Collie joining Shay's pack, and dive into the "Borderline Obsessed" reality of picking out your next partner, teammate, and best friend.

Get ready for an honest, down-to-earth discussion about what goes into selecting a high-level sports prospect. Shay and Ali break down our take on evaluating litters, from meeting the parents to analyzing temperament and balancing future sports careers. Shay opens up about why she was specifically searching for an even-keeled, "bulletproof" puppy this time around, and how Prim’s brave personality compares to their past experiences raising softer dogs.

Whether you are currently surviving a breeder waitlist, hunting for your next agility superstar, or just living vicariously through the puppy madness, this episode is packed with real talk about embracing the beginner mindset, navigating the passionate Border Collie community, and finding joy in the messy grey areas of raising a pup.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Puppy Blueprint: Analyzing temperament, meeting the parents, and balancing the expectations of a future sports career.

• The Confidence Factor: Why Shay looked for an even-keeled, "bulletproof" puppy, and the contrast of raising a brave pup versus a softer dog.

• Trusting Your Gut vs. The Experts: How to trust your gut when everyone (including your spouse!) has an opinion, and why your intuition matters.

• Embracing the Beginner Mindset: Normalizing the fear of failure, learning on the fly, and finding our place in the passionate Border Collie community.

• Introducing Prim: Getting to know the newest addition to Shay's crew and what's next for her training journey.

  
  

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In another listener-requested episode, Ali and Shay cover a critical topic for all agility enthusiasts: Early Take Off Syndrome (aka. ETO or ETS). What exactly is ETO, how does it manifest in dogs, and what's the crucial difference between a genuine vision issue and a training gap? Get ready for a down-to-earth discussion about the subtle signs, the influence of genetics and environment, and why a "normal" eye exam doesn't always tell the whole story.

Ali shares a candid account of her own "aha!" moment with discovering Maya's ETO, revealing how a podcast episode and a video analysis turned her entire agility career on its head. Hear honest insights into managing frustration, adapting training, and exploring alternative sports for a confident canine partner.

But it's not all about obstacles! This episode also celebrates a triumphant moment: Eden's dazzling UKI debut! Shay and Ali recount Eden's impressive performance, securing multiple Speedstakes Qs, earning her Beginner Speedstakes title, and how thoughtful handling adjustments are paving the way for future success. This episode is packed with real talk about adapting, evolving, and finding joy in your dog's unique abilities, even when the path takes an unexpected turn.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Decoding ETO: Understanding Early Take-Off Syndrome – its presentation, causes, and the critical distinction from training deficiencies.
• The Vision Connection: Why ETO is often a vision problem, even with clear eye exams, and how environmental factors play a role.
• Our ETO Journey: Ali and Shay's candid account of discovery, diagnosis, and the emotional impact on our partnership with our Novice A dogs.
• Frustration to Forward Motion: Strategies for managing disappointment and adapting training and competition goals when faced with unexpected challenges.
• Eden's UKI Debut: A celebratory recap of Eden's impressive first trial, with tactical course adjustments and new handling strategies.

Join the ETO Support Group Facebook Page here.

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You asked, we answered! Ali and Shay tackle a burning question for all aspiring agility handlers: when is the right time to enter your first trial? Dive into a discussion about the delicate balance between preparedness and potentially denting your (and your dog's!) confidence. They dissect the risks of jumping in too early,  the differences between age and skill readiness, and why your initial trials shouldn't be all about the Q. Get ready for real talk about setting realistic expectations, building a confident partnership, and why patience is a virtue in the wild world of Border Collie agility. Plus, hear about Eden's upcoming UKI debut and Ali's reflections on Maya's early trial experiences!

HIGHLIGHTS:

• ​Prime Time: Age restrictions vs. skill readiness – what truly dictates when you're ready to trial.
• ​Confidence Killers: The long-term impact of early failures and how to avoid a confidence crisis for both handlers and dogs.
• ​Trial Mindset: Shifting your perspective from winning to learning, and using trials as valuable training feedback.
• ​The Power of Planning: Everything from your setup and rewards to your "what if" scenarios when things go sideways.
• ​First Trial Tales: Ali shares memories of her first agility trial (the good, the bad, and the slightly chaotic!)

See Ali running her instructor's Master-level agility dog, Fionn, here!

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Tennessee drop-off: check! Luxating Patella diagnosis: double-check. Ali and Shay are back from a *whirlwind* (pun intended) road trip to Tennessee, where they dropped off Mimic for herding camp and then dove headfirst into addressing her recent Grade 2 Luxating Patella diagnosis. This episode is a candid conversation about the realities of dog health, the importance of breeder support, and the strength found in community when facing unexpected health issues in our dogs.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• LP 101: What is Luxating Patella? We break down the symptoms, the types, and genetic vs. injury-induced causes.
• Medical Maze: Multiple misdiagnoses and the frustrating search for reliable information. How many vets, what medical work was done, and the emotional toll of the journey.
• Rehab & Reality: Ali discusses Mimic's rehab recommendations, activity clearance, and the game plan for the future. What does this mean for her future in agility or other dog sports?
• Finding Your Pack: Finding support in unexpected places and tackling 'taboo' subjects in the dog sport world.
• Ali's Advice: Resources she wished she had, the community she found, and the advice she’d give to anyone facing similar challenges.

We're not experts, but we're here to share the raw, unfiltered reality of life with Border Collies – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. So, grab your coffee (or your tissues), and let's get Borderline Obsessed.

Watch a video about Luxating Patella diagnosis here.

See Mimic's practice video showcasing her Patella Luxation.

Also, check out our cute Airbnb & recap of our trip!

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Hold onto your weave poles, folks! Ali and Shay are diving headfirst into the whirlwind that was the European Open Team Tryouts (EOTT) for Team USA! Forget your standard agility courses – these trials were a whole different beast, testing dogs and handlers with ridiculously independent weaves, mind-bending tunnel entries, and enough off-course opportunities to make your head spin. Get ready for a raw, honest, and borderline obsessed perspective on the high-stakes world of international agility. Whether you're dreaming of trying out or just love watching these incredible dogs in action, this episode is for you!

HIGHLIGHTS

EOTT Explained: Breaking down the EO Team Tryouts experience: how it's run, and what makes these courses so different from your typical AKC or UKI runs!

Making the Cut: How does the team selection process actually work? Demystifying the "win-on" spots and coach picks to see what goes into building Team USA.

Common Struggles: Spilling the tea on the hard weave entries, off-course opportunities, and those moments when your dog is "looking but not listening."

Congratulating the Champs: Celebrating all the incredible competitors, especially our Large and Intermediate Border Collie heroes!

This episode is dedicated to Bob Daigle and his incredible dog, Blew Bayou, who passed away suddenly just before the recording of this episode. You can read more about Blew's amazing agility career here.

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Alright, buckle up agility fans, because we’ve got a lot to catch up on! It’s time for a real-time update on life with our 14-month old Border Collies, Eden and Mimic.

Join Ali and Shay as they dive into the whirlwind of agility foundations and share the highs and lows from the past year. They'll give you a glimpse into their current practice schedule and discuss the different agility venues to prepare for watching the European Open Team Tryouts next week!

HIGHLIGHTS

Puppy Updates: Catching up on Eden and Mimic's progress since our last recording, plus our current training schedule and what our pups will be up to in the coming year - including some new sports!

Real Talk: Mimic's Luxating Patella diagnosis and Ali’s plans for her future.

Agility 101: A beginner-friendly overview of the different agility venues and world teams.

EOTT Excitement: Getting hyped up for the European Open Team Tryouts happening next week!

Mimic & Eden’s Highlights!

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After almost a year in the making, we're finally here! Meet Ali and Shay, the best friend duo behind Borderline Obsessed.

In this inaugural episode (recorded April 2024), they introduce themselves, their new Border Collie puppies, and the story of their friendship (and how it all led to this podcast!). They'll share their vision for the show – a fun, honest, and relatable take on the world of Border Collies and agility – and touch on their early experiences with training, finding good breeders and share their passion for all things canine. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Introduction: Meet the hosts and learn about their friendship and how their shared love for dogs brought them together.

The Border Collie Obsession: Hear why Ali and Shay chose Border Collies and what makes this breed so special (and sometimes challenging!)

Breeder Deep Dive: Ali shares her extensive research on finding a responsible breeder, discussing key qualities to look for and the importance of proven working ability.

Agility Dreams: A glimpse into Ali and Shay's early experiences with agility classes, discussing the unique challenges and rewards of this exciting dog sport.

Flying with Pups: Hear recounts of their adventures (and anxieties!) of flying with new puppies, offering tips and tricks for a smooth journey.

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Watch the full episode on YouTube

CONTACT US

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