Startline

As you may know I work for a pet first aid & CPR company. In first aid, pressure is used to stop or slow the flow of blood. It’s applied intentionally to interrupt the body’s natural process in a life-saving way.In agility, pressure can be equally powerful—when used well. We apply it to converge on a line, to steer our dogs off a wrong course, or to ramp up intensity with our own acceleration. That’s the good kind of pressure—smart, purposeful, and effective. But just like in first aid, if pressure is applied too forcefully, too often, or in the wrong place… it can cause harm. And I’m seeing that more and more in the ring—handlers unintentionally applying too much or the wrong kind of pressure on their dogs, and it’s backfiring.Listen for tips on how to recognize bad pressure and stop yourself from applying it.

I'm known to have EVERYTHING a person could need when away from home, even probably more than most people have in their home but I carry it in a convenient tool bag. From safety pins and measuring tape to pain relievers and stomach soothers, I am known as CVS - Cara's Variety Service. While I might be a handy individual to have at the agility trial, there is nothing stopping you from being this prepared. I review what's in my bag, provide a list, go over what I have in my car and a few things in my home that have made living with dogs easier (and cleaner). After I finished recording I saw plenty more items to mention but just figured I will have to do a V2 of this episode. Below are the links to some of the products I recommend. Full disclosure, only the rug link and Cody's Creations do I get credit for, both awesome companies give me a discount when I buy from them again. I might be all set on rugs for now, but I can always use another collar! Don't need a new rug or collar but still want to keep me going? Consider giving a little here startlinepod.com - just hit the donate button top left. Links Not the exact bag but a similar one, same size Cleaner I love Tumble Rugs - washable rugs I love get $40 off with that link Xtreme Stitch - incredible agility leash/collar combos Cody's Creations - amazing collars, leashes and more! Get 15% off with discount code "startline" Cat and Dog First Aid & CPR - use discount code "startline" for 20% off and learn how to save your dog (or cat) NOW!

Michele and I set out this week to bring you great information on how you can keep your dog conditioned during the pandemic. We even made some videos to share with what you can accomplish with things such as couch cushions - but things changed.  We both have had an emotionally tough week and rather than provide an episode on conditioning, which we still absolutely will, we're bringing you an episode on keeping your mental condition healthy. The Stockdale Paradox, created by James Stockdale, an ex-POW demonstrates that we are better off surviving a bad time if we are able to acknowledge our situation and balance optimism with realism. If you constantly look forward to the date of a trial and then it keeps getting canceled, you will be sad. But if you keep real and realize while things suck right now, we will one day trial again. You're better off spending your time focusing on doing what you can to keep busy until that unknown time happens. We discuss this and the new trial guidelines released by the AKC.  We also share our excitement about our new sponsor, Cody's Creations https://www.etsy.com/shop/codyscreations. Use the discount code STARTLINE at checkout to receive 15% some AMAZING items. Custom made collars, leashes and an entire massive collection of pre-made accouterments for your canines. We're huge fans, major patrons and super happy that Kerrie is offering this deal to our listeners.  Oh and she took it a step further, she has a free give away! Kerrie, the creator of Cody's Creations is giving away a medium martingale, 6ft ½ biothane leash with stainless snap and a bait bag. Details on how to win can be found on our social media posts. Enjoy this episode, chin up and stay optimistic while remaining realistic.  

You're stuck at home - you have some equipment, you don't have any equipment, you have a well-trained dog, you have a novice dog. . . it doesn't matter! We discuss so many options available to you without equipment, skill or geographical limitations. Here are some thoughts - ok, really our outline for the episode but you get the idea. At-Home Training What equipment do you have and workspace What level are you What resources are there available? Equipment Sawhorses and broom handles make great winged jumps - example and ideas https://youtu.be/0WqWHrrDLyo A pillowcase over two stanchions can make a wing - we never even mentioned this! Driveway markers for stick in ground weaves Any upright object (trash can, pot for plants, vacuum, chairs, etc) for teaching wraps/directionals - example https://gph.is/g/4Dk9PP9 Couch cushions to make uneven surfaces (teeter foundation & conditioning) https://youtu.be/20OoLHN6ibs (don't judge, I'm trying to build my library. I have tons of other conditioning videos on another personal channel from a class I took but I made this specifically for the pandemic). 2o2o on steps, plastic storage containers flipped over Examples of Resources Available Foundations: Start with your instructor, are they offering anything? Stefanie Rainer stefanierainer.com $50 (silent auditor), $100 (active auditor) or $150 (working) Super beginner information from trainer/competitor Jessica Ajoux https://1tdc.com/intro-to-dog-agility-how-it-all-began-and-the-basics/?fbclid=IwAR0J0TKdD6VPDSgbzPoGA2pU0IGO4Wt8W99I9l_AqBPXXzVCvBc6sxKCYns Personalized training: Sarah Baker $100 for 4 weeks, Ashley Castro of Level Up Dog Sports $199 for 4 weeks $150 for multiple dogs Online Classes FDSA terms quarterly Clean run classes Liz Randall for Teeter classes Rachel Downs for Stimulus Control classes Facebook Groups Ashley Castro of Level Up Dog Sports $10 to join Go With the Flow Agility America Dog Agility Training and Discussion Course Building Specifically for your space Level Up Dog Sports - $10 for 3 nested courses based on your size and equipment list $10 extra if you want feedback Trick training! AKC trick dog titles available via video review. Michele is an evaluator. Trick training is good for foundation agility behaviors (targets, spins, wobble boards, etc) AKC Rally now available, earn a rally novice leg!  UKI doing at home agility Most importantly enjoy the time with your dog and have fun! Please share what you're doing on our FB page or tag us on Insta

Let us know what you are doing to stay positive during the PAIN-demic. What activities are you doing with your pups, what are some new things you wouldn't have been able to do or find yourself with more time to do? Please share, we need the social interaction :)

We go through the process of how to enter a trial. We may also plea for online entries, listen and enjoy our conversation! 

Our first episode! Get an idea of what's to come!