The distractor rule I learned the hard way from Ellen, and it can make the difference between qualifying or not. It was awkward in the moment, but unforgettable.

We came back to that story, along with something I’ve noticed in Ellen's runs: when it looks like an alert to me, but she moves on. That led to a great discussion about the subtle signs of reading your dog and how every dog is unique.

We also talk about odor when judging long trial days, how to get more out of watching and video, and the kinds of moments she loves when judging.

And through it all, what really stands out is Ellen’s passion. Even after years in the sport, she still gets goosebumps watching dogs solve odor problems, and it’s contagious.