We spend so much time attending class, taking seminars, doing online lessons, and listening to experts, but have you ever paused to create a true training plan for yourself and your dog? It seems like we are so busy going from lesson to lesson without first identifying the holes we have, and how bes...

Every athlete in every sport makes mistakes - even the most elite. After all, we are fallible, imperfect creatures trying to do some really hard stuff consistently alongside a partner with their own agenda. Mistakes are going to happen.

I've talked about the ache of wishing for a "do-over" - a c...

On a coaching call the other day, I said something that was an "Ah-ha" moment for both of us: "I believe that you are focusing on your process goals, but I think you're measuring by outcomes."

The handler agreed, and we went on to unpack how this was showing up and what she could do about it. Bu...

Prologue: This is longer than usual because I'm sharing my very real struggle of getting myself back in a good headspace after a disappointing day. On Friday, Moxie and I had Rally, and it didn't go well. As I write this on Saturday morning, we are entered in Open Obedience today and Sunday. Based o...

Stress is a normal part of life—especially for those of us who compete in dog sports. Whether it's the pressure of performing well, the fear of failure, or just trying to stay focused, stress can creep in and throw us off our game. While you can't avoid stress entirely, you can learn to manage it be...

Two different clients recently asked me, "But why do I get so upset?" My answer was simple, "Because you care."

Of course, my answer doesn't solve the problem of getting upset, and I don't think it should. What I mean is, we should care deeply about our dogs and the sports we play. It should mat...

I had one of those runs this past weekend where the score does not tell the story.

Moxie and I were entered in two Rally runs on Friday in our quest to pick up some Masters points towards our RACH. Our first run was a respectable 98, giving us 8 points - Yay, us! The run wasn't memorable per se,...

Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to keep going when things are going well in the ring? That's the power of positive momentum, and it's just as critical in dog sports as it is in any other part of life. We shift our mindset when we focus on the positives—our progress, the bond with our dog...

We are very emotional when it comes to competing, and the reason is pretty simple: we care what happens. The downside is that the same emotion that fuels us can also get in our way when things don't go the way we expect or hope.

I'm never going to tell you not to be emotional - that's crazy talk...

Since the torch arrived to the Seine, my productivity has been in the proverbial tank. I've downloaded two apps, watched a lengthy post on the rules of Rugby 7s, and rolled out of bed early only to move to the couch in front of the TV. I am an Olympics addict.

Like the lifeguard at the swim venu...

The need to be flexible - or adaptable - is on my mind, especially after watching handlers have to adapt during the Rally and Obedience Nationals. Big events tend to spotlight our weak spots, but that doesn't mean we only need to be adaptable at nationals; adaptability comes up in all sorts of situa...

I recently posed a question to the "hive mind" on Facebook requesting ideas for supporting a dog who "stresses down." First, I received a lot of great comments - thanks to all who chimed in! Second, I received many private messages from people who had never heard the term.

As a result, I had man...