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.