Come learn all about this new nosework game! Julie and I chat about what's involved, how to get started, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the new sport!

What can commitment do for your agility team? Laurie and I chat about what it means and the difference it can make when playing the game! 

Guests Megan Foster, Julie Daniels, Amy Cook, and Erin Lynes discuss the changes that occur during adolescence in dogs and how to navigate through this phase. Topics include emotional preparation, teaching potty routines, addressing separation issues, training vs natural behavior, flexibility in routines, and the need for open conversations about dog adolescence.

Shade Whitesel joins me to talk about how fluent toy play skills allow for more two-way communication during training, and how toy skills can be used to build a faster, better formal retrieve.

What is a threshold? Does it matter? Join Amy and I for a fascinating discussion on how what we know can impact or enable our choices when we're out with our dogs.

What do position changes have to do with maintaining a startline stay? Join Megan and I as we chat about teaching and maintaining your startline... even once you begin competing!

Jennifer Henion joins me on the podcast today for a conversation about hunt tests — what they are, how she wound up focused on them, and managing the culture that comes with them.

Hélène Lawler, dog sport behavior training expert, joins host Melissa to discuss the power of start buttons, stop buttons, and arousal checks in dog training. They explore the concept of start buttons, consent protocols, and the benefits of giving dogs control. They also mention a webinar and workshop on these topics for a more in-depth understanding. Overall, the discussion focuses on improving communication and trust while reducing arousal levels in high-stress dogs.

Have a problem when you want to do your dog's nails? Or maybe for you it's some other aspect of grooming or vet care! In this episode Deb and I talk about cooperative care training — what it is and why it matters.

Join Teri Martin, Melissa Breau, Hélène Lawler and Sara Brueske for a conversation about the "other" dog sports offered at FDSA — treibball, herding, and disc!