Claim OwnershipFostering Excellence in Agility
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Megan Foster, Founder of Synergy Dog Sports and creator of Fostering Excellence in Agility, shares her passion, knowledge, tips and secrets for all things dog agility. Each episode, she will take you through a critical element of agility training and break down the history of it, the dos and don’ts, as well as some key action steps you can take today to continue your path to excellence. Discover how to approach agility training from a place of wellness and learn how to build an agility training program that fits your needs and fuels your passion for the sport. Megan has taken her experience over the last 25 years and developed a systematic approach to agility that applies the most innovative positive reinforcement techniques to both ends of the leash. Megan not only coaches students on their training and competitive goals but also mentors other dog agility coaches to hone their craft in the dog sport world. Ready to ignite (or re-ignite) your passion for this game? Hit subscribe & let’s go!
56 Episodes
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056 What is pressure, and how can we train for it? Find out in this episode!
055 In this mini-sode, I break down my different types of offers: free, self study, coaching program, and guided programs.
Free Content: This Podcast! Make sure you've subscribed! Social Media: Facebook and InstagramFans of FxAgility Community: Signup or Login Plan with Excellence Mini-Course If you aren't currently on my email list and want to be, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Self-Study Programs: Verbal Cue WebinarStartlines that Stick WebinarRing Routines BundleLoopy Agility TrainingTeeter TrainingRunning AframeWeave Pole TrainingHandler Skills BundleHandler Mechanics Microskills
Train with Excellence Coaching Program: Learn about the program here. Claim the 2025 Black Friday promo here. Check out current members' favorite lessons here.
Guided Programs: January 2026 Handler Mechanics Microskills Send this episode to your friends! Reach out via email if you have any questions about my offers: megan@fxagility.com
054 Let's unpack some definitions of positive and negative reinforcement, a real-life training example, and why focusing on the use of positive reinforcement will benefit your team overall.
Video examples of skills trained with positive reinforcement, but may also be benefiting from negative reinforcement, are available inside my free community, Fans of FxAgility. Login here or Join here.
053 There are seven ways to observe behavior and look for signs of learning. In this episode, Megan shares those seven ways for a quick definition and then unpacks how she uses those forms of measurement in her own training.
When I set out to record this episode, I referenced my well-loved copy of Learning and Behavior by Paul Chance. Join the Fans of FxAgility free community here: https://www.fxagilityschool.com/signup
052 Preparing for competition-like situations is possible, even without recreating the entire trial environment. Listen in for what Ring Prep training is and how we can do it! Additional resources on this topic:
Ring Prep without the Ring Live Session
Ring Prep Bundle
Ready to Compete podcast
051 When I first started competing, we had limited options on how to maintain our habits from training to trialing, but now with FEO and FNG available is most (all?) organizations, it's easier to be consistent in our habits. In this episode, I talk about how I use each opportunity to bridge the gap between training and trialing for teams of all levels.
Episode 031 Using FEO & FNG Effectively
Join the Fans of FxAgility Community
050 How we respond to mistakes and use mistakes in our training is based on our values and how we choose to train. We have so many tools available to us that allow us to build confident and resilient learners that don't involve confusion or frustration. Learning to control our own emotions plays a huge role in how our dogs navigate playing this game with us. Take a listen, and join the Fans of Fx Agility Community to keep the conversation going. Log-in at fxagilityschool.com or sign up: fxagilityschool.com/signup
049 What is engagement, how do we get it, and what do we do when we don't have it?
048 There's a lot that goes into training startlines, but it can be broken into four main categories: skills, motivation, chains, and ring sustainability. check out the online program that starts on June 2nd!
fxagilityschool.com/startlinesthatstick
Megan talks with student, friend, and colleague, Sarah Espinoza-Sokal all about raising a puppy responsibly. The two coaches talk about their values and priorities when choosing what each puppy needs, and how that benefits them both in life and in dog sports. Sarah is starting a new puppy program: Limitless Agility Foundations where she plans to support puppy owners through this process and cultivate passion for living, training, and competing with these special creatures. To find out more, visit Sarah's FB Page: Agility Odyssey and look for the pinned post.
046 Should you keep trialing when a problem behavior crops up or take a break? I unpack my process in this episode!
045 I am often asked about preparing for big events, but is it really any different than preparing for a local event? Listen in to find out how I prepare for the competition weekend.
044 Tips on planning and prioritizing your training when your access to agility equipment is limited.
043 Megan explains the five phases of walking the course and planning her strategy. This blog: https://fxagility.com/blog/the-five-phases-of-course-analysis/ outlines the same information and points you toward additional resources inside Megan's school.
042 Megan shares her general thoughts on using and fading props in our agility training. Check out her website: fxagility.com
041 You need clear rounds to progress in dog agility, but focusing on clear rounds isn't the answer. Dive into this episode to shift your perspective on the sport and how you train for and compete for clear rounds.
Dive into my webinar on more effective coursework training and view my coursework training in the Event Prep Program
040 Don't wait for problems to be big ones, get curious about your dog's behavior and uncover small gaps in their understanding before they become impossible chasms to overcome.
039 Megan shares 5 mindset skills she focuses on during every competition to ensure she's having a good time for herself, her dog, and her team.
038 In this episode, Megan shares her two ways for reducing reinforcement and the training strategies she implements for each.
037 When does Megan think about leaving the ring early and what does that look like? Listen to episode 37 to find out!
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