Maximum FUN Dog Agility

In this episode, Lorrie reveals a dog training game that could potentially save your dog's life. She shares a touching story of a student whose dog responded immediately to a cue from a game they had only played once, averting a potentially serious incident on a major interstate. Lorrie discusses the powerful impact that The Leash Game can have on your dog, enhancing your relationship and communication. This simple and effective game offers an enjoyable solution to a common problem. You can watch the YouTube videos at the following links: https://youtu.be/Cvim2D933NA  The leash game - newer versionhttps://youtu.be/wsgCbKVilJ4  The leash game - older version

Welcome to Episode 027 of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, hosted by Lorrie Reynolds. In this episode, Lorrie explores the concept that every behavior, from basic obedience sits to getting a beer from the fridge, is simply a trick. She reflects on the difference in terminology between sport dog handlers and pet owners, who see the word “trick” and think it means doing a handstand or walking on a barrel. Lorrie talks about the dog sport competitors’ view that every behavior we teach is a trick, and discusses how we can bring that concept to the average pet owner to make teaching manners more fun. Whether you're a pet owner or a dog sports enthusiast, this episode clarifies the terminology and encourages a playful approach to training.   Come play with us and train your dog at the same time at www.maximumfundogs.com!

In Episode 026 of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, Lorrie Reynolds, explores the concept of ending training sessions on a high note. In this insightful episode, Lorrie discusses what constitutes a successful session, how to handle unexpected challenges, and the importance of ending your training on a high note, even if it is not the behavior you intended. Lorrie addresses common issues like frustration and stress in dogs and handlers and offers practical solutions to keep your sessions productive. Learn how to recognize signs of stress in your dog, understand key causes of training breakdowns, and find out why sometimes, a different approach can lead to better results. Tune in to discover how you can progress and find joy in every training session.   Expand your agility toolkit by joining The Agility Playground, a monthly membership that helps you create a fantastic agility team. Go to www.maximumfundogs.com for details.

Join Lorrie Reynolds in Episode 025 of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast as she talks about the emotional journey of dealing with the loss of a beloved pet. Drawing from her most recent personal experience of saying goodbye to Xephyr, her 6-year-old rescue dog, Lorrie reflects on the complex emotions that accompany losing a cherished companion. Discover strategies to help process the grief that comes with losing a family member, from writing a eulogy to creating lasting memorials. Lorrie emphasizes the unique individual paths through grief and the importance of allowing time to heal. Tune in to learn how Lorrie processed her grief, and perhaps one of her strategies will help you too.   Join the community at www.maximumfundogs.com and get training tips delivered to your inbox.

In this episode of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, host Lorrie Reynolds talks about one of the common challenge faced by agility competitors: drifting too close to the distance line during a course. She then discusses three effective strategies to regain distance in gamblers, FAST, or chances courses without confusing your dog. Discover how utilizing tunnels, fixed path obstacles, and specific types of sequences can help handlers regain distance if they’ve gotten too close to the line.   Learn more tips and tricks by signing up to receive the weekly email from Maximum Fun Dog Sports here: www.maximumfundogs.com

Episode 023 of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, hosted by Lorrie Reynolds, explores the importance of strategic planning in distance handling on agility courses. Discover why the distance line is “not your friend” and how creating a plan to stay a few feet away from it can give you a tactical advantage. Lorrie highlights common traps on courses and shares knowledge that helps your agility team effectively tackle distance challenges. Learn how to avoid the dreaded "line dance" and keep from confusing your dog with unnecessary motion. With foundational tips on maintaining clear communication and control, this episode is a must-listen for agility handlers seeking consistent performance.   Join us and become part of the Maximum Fun Dog Sports community at www.maximumfundogs.com

Episode 022 of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast explains the benefits of training for dog sports, whether you're a seasoned competitor or a newbie looking for a fun activity to participate in with your best friend. Lorrie addresses three common myths about dog sports, shedding light on how such activities are for all dogs and ages. Lorrie discusses the many benefits of dog sports, including improved communication, strengthened relationships, enhanced everyday behavior, safety, and engaging with a like-minded community. Lorrie shares compelling anecdotes, including transformations seen through agility training, highlighting the impact of providing dogs with focused activities.   If you want to create a fantastic agility team, check out The Agility Playground at www.maximumfundogs.com

In this episode of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, host Lorrie Reynolds talks about the emotional journey of facing the loss of a beloved pet and how we should do things every day with our pets to create memories rather than leaving it for the last part of their lives. Lorrie shares the story of her dog Xephyr's unexpected diagnosis at 6 years old, reflecting on the heartache that comes with such news. She offers valuable advice on creating a bucket list for your dog, emphasizing the importance of seizing the day and making the most out of every moment together. Lorrie's heartfelt story serves as both a tribute to Xephyr and a reminder to cherish the time we have with our pets.   Join the Maximum Fun Dog Sports community and get training tips and more delivered straight to your inbox at www.maximumfundogs.com

In Episode 020 of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, join host Lorrie Reynolds as she debunks the myth that practicing on full courses is the best way to prepare and compete successfully at agility trials. Lorrie draws on her personal experience with her former agility dog, Dash, to illustrate the potential benefits of focusing on shorter sequences rather than full courses in training. She recounts Dash's surprising success, despite never having run a full course before his first trial, and uses this story to challenge conventional training wisdom. Lorrie explains the value of breaking courses into sections to enhance handling skills and teamwork. This episode encourages agility handlers to rethink their training approach and offers alternatives for those with limited space or equipment. Discover how mastering smaller sequences can lead to more success on course.   Visit our website and join our community at www.maximumfundogs.com to get weekly training tips emailed straight to your inbox!

In this episode, Lorrie relates an invaluable tip that can significantly improve your dog's course time. Discover how a simple adjustment in setting up your dog at the start line can shave 2 seconds off your course time, making it easier to qualify. Drawing from an interesting experiment conducted by a friend, Lorrie discusses how setting your dog at least 2 strides back from the first obstacle allows them to decrease the chance that your dog will knock the first bar and ensure they are at full speed when they pass through the timer. This small yet powerful change is an effective strategy for improving your time. Lorrie encourages listeners to try this technique in their own training sessions and observe the impact on their dog's performance.   Join our community at www.maximumfundogs.com

Dive into the world of dog training with a fresh perspective inspired by inventor Thomas Edison. In this episode, Lorrie explores how adopting Edison's mindset about mistakes can transform your dog training approach. She emphasizes the importance of experimentation when traditional methods hit a roadblock and the value of viewing failure as a stepping stone to success. Learn how balancing planned methods with creative experimentation can enhance your training experience and provide solutions to difficult problems. Lorrie shares practical examples, like addressing footwork issues in weaving, to illustrate these concepts in action. If you're eager to try an inventor’s approach to training sessions and enhance your agility team's training success, check out this fun episode.   Join our community at www.maximumfundogs.com

In this must-listen episode, Lorrie shares personal anecdotes about her own dogs' varying reactions to her visiting grandkids. She emphasizes the importance of desensitizing agility dogs to children, especially considering the location and accessibility of agility trials. Lorrie offers practical tips on gradually acclimating your dog to work around kids, reinforcing the need for careful socialization without direct interaction. Listen in for invaluable advice aimed at fostering a positive and fun experience for agility teams, even amidst the distractions that children can bring.   Visit our website and join our community at www.maximumfundogs.com to get weekly training tips emailed straight to your inbox!

In this episode of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, Lorrie dives into the importance of maintaining a list of your dog’s cues to enhance clarity and improve your training. Discover how a well-organized list can prevent confusion, eliminate similar-sounding cues, and serve as an invaluable tool for planning training sessions and maintaining fluency. Lorrie shares insights from her own experiences, offering practical advice on creating a master list and utilizing it to plan training sessions efficiently. Lorrie also introduces a weekly challenge, encouraging listeners to write down their cues and celebrate their progress. Tune in to explore creative cue ideas and avoid common pitfalls when naming behaviors. Check out the free resources we have available to dog owners on our website at www.maximumfundogs.com 

This episode is all about the critical role of reward placement in dog training. Lorrie recounts into common issues handlers face, like dogs who lack duration or precision with trained behaviors, and reveals how strategic reward placement can be the key to overcoming these challenges. Lorrie explains specific cases and illustrates that modifying where and how you reward can dramatically improve your results. Filled with practical examples and solutions, this episode will provide every agility team with the tools they need to communicate effectively and succeed. Don’t miss a chance to enhance your training with insights and actionable advice from this episode.   Check out The Agility Playground and join our community at www.maximumfundogs.com  

In this episode, Lorrie delves into finding the right rewards for your dog by thinking outside the traditional treat and toy box. Get valuable insights into how dogs, not handlers, determine what is truly rewarding. Through creative examples, such as makeshift toys and unconventional rewards, Lorrie illustrates how tapping into what excites your dog can transform your training sessions. Tune in and join Lorrie as she shares tips to ramp up your dog's enthusiasm and joy in training. Enhance your agility journey with innovative ideas and practical advice about what constitutes a reward for your dog. Happy training!   Join us at www.maximumfundogs.com to learn more about how we can work together!

In this episode, Lorrie explores the polarizing question, "Is Your Dog Stubborn?" She provides an alternative perspective that challenges traditional views of stubborn dogs. Lorrie discusses various factors that might cause a dog to seem uncooperative like physical issues, stressors at practice or competition, and inconsistent cues. Learn how the value of rewards and positive reinforcement can influence your agility dog's performance, and why instinctual behaviors can often make people think their dogs are stubborn. Perfect for both new and experienced handlers, this episode encourages a shift in mindset, promoting empathy and deeper communication with our canine teammates. Tune in to discover why most so-called stubborn behaviors can be addressed with the right approach and an understanding of your dog’s situation. Check out The Agility Playground and join our community at www.maximumfundogs.com 

Welcome to the latest episode of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, hosted by Lorrie Reynolds. This week, Lorrie makes a startling confession: she feeds her dogs from the table! But don’t quit just yet! Lorrie discusses why and how this unorthodox method helps shape the desired behavior in her dogs during meal times. Discover the step-by-step approach Lorrie uses to teach her dogs the art of self-control by rewarding appropriate behavior where and when it occurs. Don't forget to check out The Agility Playground for more fun and transformative agility training experiences. Use this link and get a free 1-week trial!

In this episode, Lorrie Reynolds, owner of Maximum Fun Dog Sports, discusses why lowering criteria when teaching new behaviors helps your dog learn faster, with less frustration. Concrete examples help you apply this concept to your dog agility training so you can boost your success.   Want to know how you can work with us? check out the Maximum Fun Dog Sports Product page.

Welcome to the Maximum Fun Agility podcast, hosted by Lorrie Reynolds. In this episode, Lorrie discusses the importance of inclusive agility training, highlighting the need for instructors to adapt their methods to accommodate handlers of all abilities or refer students to other instructors, rather than sticking to a one-size-fits-all approach that leaves people feeling bad about themselves if they can't run. Sharing a story of a participant's frustrating experience, Lorrie underscores the significance of honesty, kindness, and adaptability in coaching, advocating for an ethical practice that focuses on the needs of each team.   Square pegs aren't shoved into round holes in The Agility Playground! Use this link and get a free 1-week trial.

Join host Lorrie Reynolds in this episode of the Maximum Fun Dog Sports podcast, where the focus is on empowering agility teams with independent obstacle performance. Lorrie shares anecdotes from USDAA trials and DOCNA Nationals that illustrate why independence is critical for agility teams. Learn about the CLAWS mnemonic, standing for Call over, move Laterally Away, run With on a parallel line, and Send ahead. Explore how to create a robust foundation for independence and why it's never too late to start. If you want to create a fantastic dog agility team, join us in The Agility Playground and get a 1-week free trial!