In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban dive into the often-debated world of purpose-bred sport mixes, purpose-bred mixes in general, and how they compare to rescues, mutts, and "All American" dogs. We explore why these dogs exist, why they generate strong opinions, and how much of the controversy is rooted in history, philosophy, and expectations. Most importantly, we unpack how dogs from many backgrounds can thrive in sport while serving very different goals within the broader dog world.

• The difference between purpose-bred sport mixes, general mixes, mutts, and rescues
• What the "All American Dog" designation really represents in competition
• How breed recognition and performance success address different priorities

• Episode 288: Interview with 2-Time Highest Scoring All-American Westminster Winner Lisa Topol
• All American Dog Ranking by PowerScore for 2025

• Canine Handler Fitness
• Saint Rocco's Treats

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban break down how the format of the AKC National Agility Championship impacts strategy, especially for handlers with medium-speed dogs. Most competitors at Nationals are not the fastest dogs in the country, and they're not the slowest either. They're somewhere in the middle. And that middle is where smart strategy matters most.

We talk about how the structure of the event affects qualification paths, what realistic advancement looks like, and how to approach Nationals in a way that gives your dog the best chance to succeed. Most importantly, we discuss how to set expectations so that no matter the outcome, you don't feel like you wasted your time.

• How the NAC format shapes strategy for medium-speed dog handlers trying to qualify for the Finals
• Why your dog may have a better chance of making the Finals than you think
• How to set realistic expectations so you walk away from Nationals feeling proud, not defeated

• How to Make the Finals at AKC Nationals
• How to Make the Finals at AKC Nationals
• Episode 292: What To Do When Things Start Off Poorly at a Big Event

• Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban are joined by Masters Agility Champion Amber McCune to break down the 2026 Westminster Masters Agility Championship. The conversation ranges from course design and footing to venue history and how the event experience has changed over the years.

• How course design, footing, and venue choices shape both performance and the competitor experience at Westminster.
• How Jenn and Amber adjusted their handling to account for the unique format for making finals.
• Why Amber didn't get to wear a sparkly dress.

• Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about the often ignored reality of agility: most of the time, dogs are not running, they are waiting. They explore why "waiting your turn" is a human concept, how dogs experience these in between moments through anticipation or regulation, and why early anticipation can lead to anxiety for some dogs while others switch on and off easily. The conversation highlights the importance of noticing how much waiting exists and being intentional about what dogs are actually doing during that time.

• Why "waiting your turn" is not a personality trait, but a set of skills shaped by arousal, uncertainty, and environment
• How dogs experience "waiting" through anticipation, regulation, or disengagement rather than passive stillness
• Why minimizing or reshaping waiting periods can be more effective than trying to train dogs to endure them

• Canine Handler Fitness
• Saint Rocco's Treats

This week on the podcast, we take a closer look at how dogs actually run a course and what handlers can do to help them run it faster and with more confidence. We explain why dogs run lines rather than individual obstacles and how understanding your dog's stride, structure, and turning ability helps you choose the best line for any sequence. We also talk about why the fastest path is not always the shortest and how video comparison reveals the true optimal line for your dog.

• Why you should handle lines, not individual obstacles
• How pulling, position, and continuous cues shape your dog's line
• Why tight turns slow dogs and when a wider arc is actually faster
• How to compare options on video to find the best line for your dog

• Episode 179: Which is Faster, a Front Cross or Rear Cross?
• Episode 108: Choices on Course

• Saint Rocco's Treats
• Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode, we break down why so many handlers walk to the start line with a clear plan and instantly forget everything the moment the run begins.

• Why your brain blanks on course and how stress shuts down the prefrontal cortex, reducing timing, sequencing, and decision-making.
• How adrenaline affects handling, including tunnel vision, and reversion to default movement patterns.
• What the Yerkes-Dodson curve tells us about optimal arousal for performance and why beginners fall off the curve sooner.
• How to use the physiological sigh as a rapid, science-based tool to reset your nervous system right before a run.

• Episode 159: Handler Muscle Memory for Dog Agility
• Episode 188: Handler Desensitization

Canine Handler Fitness with Liz Joyce

In this episode, Esteban and Sarah talk about what it really means when things go wrong in the ring. A knocked bar, a wrong course, a dog that runs straight to the leash—none of these moments predict your future in agility. Instead, they're feedback about where you and your dog are in your training journey.

• The key difference between formative and summative feedback—and how it applies to training and trials.
• Why tying your success or failure to self-worth actually slows progress (and how to stop doing it).
• How to read your dog's "mistakes" as information about confidence, arousal, and understanding.

Thanks so much for joining us this week.

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Happy training and thank you for helping us reach over 2 million podcast downloads!

Canine Handler Fitness with Liz Joyce

Burnout isn't just something that happens at work—it happens in dog agility, too. In this episode, we dive into what burnout looks like for handlers, why it happens, and how to recover in a healthy way.

• The three major predictors of burnout identified across 30+ studies:
• Why agility is uniquely vulnerable to burnout (and what's missing compared to other sports).
• Practical ways to recover and prevent burnout for both you and your dog.

• Saint Rocco's Treats
• Clip & Go Agility