Bad Dog Agility Podcast

In this episode (27:08)
Does the difference between 4-foot and 5-foot bars really matter in dog agility? In this episode, we dig into how bar width impacts everything from course design to your dog's performance, and why this seemingly small difference can have bigger implications than you might think.
You Will Learn
How 4-foot vs 5-foot bars affect course design and handling decisions
Whether bar width changes your dog's jumping mechanics and consistency
Why Jennifer and Esteban don't like opening a course with a tire followed immediately by the dogwalk
Mentioned
Episode 129: The Connection Paradigm
Sponsored By
Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode (27:08)
In this episode, Sarah, Jennifer, and Esteban explore what a dog agility series on Netflix or another streaming platform could look like. They discuss several possible formats and why agility has the ingredients for mainstream success.
You Will Learn
Different formats a dog agility series could take on a streaming platform
The kinds of stories and personalities that would make the sport compelling for a wider audience
Why dog agility has strong potential as a binge-worthy series
What makes the sport visually exciting and emotionally engaging for viewers
Mentioned
A Different Breed: a docuseries on Amazon Prime
Race for the Crown
Sponsored By
Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode (32:17)
In this episode, Esteban and Sarah explore what dog agility can learn from Olympic swimming, two fast sports where performances last seconds but preparation takes months or years. They discuss how tiny technical details, mental preparation, and strategic training decisions can dramatically impact performance when the margin for error is so small.
You Will Learn
Why the swimming concept of tapering may apply to preparing dogs for major agility competitions
How the first few seconds of a run, from the lead-out to the first obstacle, can set the tone for everything that follows
Why both sports demand trust in training and muscle memory during short, high-stakes performances
How mental preparation and pre-run routines can help handlers manage nerves and perform at their best
Mentioned
Visualization and Mental Preparation
Episode 189: How to Structure Your Dog Agility Season
Sponsored By
Canine Handler Fitness
Saint Rocco's Treats

In this episode (30:21)
In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban talk about the realities of raising and training puppies alongside someone else. We explore how shared puppy journeys can strengthen relationships, strain them, and ultimately teach us a lot about expectations, pressure, and perspective.
You Will Learn
Jennifer's experience raising littermates with her mom and later with her best friend and training partner
Why getting puppies at the same time can create both the best and the hardest moments in an agility partnership
How side-by-side progress can make you feel behind, increase stress, or quietly shift expectations
The upside of having a training partner going through the same puppy stage at the same time
Mentioned
Episode 157: The Comparison Trap
Sponsored By
Canine Handler Fitness

In this episode (41:20)
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.
You Will Learn
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
Mentioned/Related
Episode 288: Interview with 2-Time Highest Scoring All-American Westminster Winner Lisa Topol
All American Dog Ranking by PowerScore for 2025
Sponsored By
Canine Handler Fitness
Saint Rocco's Treats