Megan Foster of Synergy Dog Sports 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!
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!
036 Megan explains how she proofs different behaviors to aim for her ultimate goal: ring sustainability.
035 Megan unpacks her thoughts about bar-knocking in this requested episode. Megan's favorite jumping experts: Linda Mecklenburg https://awesomepawsagilityacademy.com/current-classes/ Dr. Leslie Eide https://www.thetotalcanine.com/online-learning.html Join the coaching program https://fxagility.mykajabi.com/fx-agility-waitlist Sarah Stremming's Webinar, Bravery School https://sarahstremming.com/products/webinar/bravery-school/ Teeter training program https://fxagility.mykajabi.com/offers/sUU48VFG/checkout
034 Should you make something easier in training or try to pivot in another way? Find out what Megan thinks in this episode!
033 Megan shares her experience debuting Sprint, her two-year-old Border Collie, in agility competitions. Find out insights into what Megan saw change in Sprint's behavior over time and how well the debut strategy worked. Resources: Episode 32: Are You Ready to Compete? Youtube: Sprint's First Trial Highlights Youtube: Sprint's Second Trial, Novice Jumping Youtube: Second Trial, Novice Agility Episode 28: How Outside the Ring Behaviors Impact Inside the Ring Behaviors Episode 31: Using FEO and Fix & Go Effectively
032 When should you start competing and what does that look like for each team? How to plan to maximize success all comes down to the splits in behavior that we need our dogs to understand.
031 For Exhibition Only and Fix and Go On are two tools we have in the competition ring that can help us narrow the gap between how our dogs perform in training versus how they perform in trials. In this episode, Megan breaks down the pros and cons of each and talks about how she would use either of these options. Mentioned in this episode: Using FEO/NFC with a toy in the ring: https://youtu.be/C6z7UqyPzDoProactively helping a dog before they make a mistake: https://youtu.be/xq4oobNp2wo The Pitfalls of Cue Escalation --> https://fxagility.com/blog/the-pitfalls-of-cue-escalation/ Different Types of Training --> https://fxagility.com/blog/reducing-delaying-reinforcement/ Beginning of Run Routines --> https://fxagility.com/blog/beginning-of-run-routines-evaluating-your-dogs-readiness/ End of Run Routines --> https://fxagility.com/blog/end-of-run-routines-do-you-have-it-do-you-need-it/ Episode 29, Startlines with Sarah Espinoza-Sokal --> https://fxagility.mykajabi.com/podcasts/fostering-excellence-in-agility/episodes/2147886802
030 Megan talks about learning the course from the dog's perspective, the importance of sticking to the plan, the five phases of course analysis, and course memorization tips. Join Megan on June 1st at 6pm PT for her FDSA Webinar, Agility Course Analysis
029 Megan interviews Sarah Espinoza-Sokal about her experience repairing her Kelpie, Zi's startline performance. Megan and Sarah unpack the unique pieces of the training puzzle and discuss why each piece was important and how Sarah was able to implement it in training and in competition. You can follow Sarah on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/agilityodyssey Sarah invested most of her first 30 years into a passion for horses. In 2016, she decided to rehome her last horse and devote herself to agility instead. She quickly fell in love with international-style agility, and set her sights on one day competing in Europe. Sarah's first agility dog suffered a career-ending injury in 2017, retiring before he earned Novice titles. She started over with agility dog 1.5 — a Working Kelpie puppy named Zi — in September 2017. Sarah and Zi competed in their first national competition at Cynosport in 2021. In 2022, they were fortunate enough to run at World Team Tryouts, the West Coast Open, the US Open, and European Open Team Tryouts, vastly expanding their skills as a team. A lifelong writer and obsessive nerd, Sarah shares her story of pursuing excellence in agility on her Agility Odyssey Facebook page, where she loves to discuss both the smallest of training details and the largest of life lessons.
028 Optimal level of arousal is necessary for optimal performance. Does your dog's arousal increase in the parking lot of the agility trial or is it later in the run, like at obstacle 15? Let's take a look at how your beginning of the run AND end of the run routines are impacting your dog's performance. In this episode, Megan mentions several other resources, including: Episode 27 How Trialing Informs Your Training Cog Dog Radio, Reinforcement Misunderstandings Training on Their Timeline with Sarah Stremming Check back next week for an interview with Sarah Espinoza-Sokal to talk about the training that we did together in order to address Zi's startline in competition. Spoiler: the outside-the-ring behaviors were impacting the inside-the-ring behaviors! That's all for this week! Follow on FB, IG, TikTok, and Youtube: @fxagility
027 Data from our training sessions inform future training sessions, right? What about trial data? Are you practicing during the week the issues that come up on the weekend? Is your current way of analyzing that data producing results for you? If not, it may be how you're analyzing the data is missing a few key questions that I'm always asking myself when watching my trial videos. Let's dive in to what "competition-only issues" may really mean and how to set up training to start improving those sticking points. Mentioned in this episode: Different Types of Training and Training vs Working Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, & Youtube: @fxagility
Sarah Stremming, Cog Dog Coach, joins Megan to discuss how their two youngest dogs, Rayya (Sarah's Icelandic Sheepdog) and Sprint (Megan's Border Collie) have completely different training plans and are on really different paths, but how those paths ultimately lead to the same place. These two coaches dive in to why these differences are so important and the reality of the extra time and care it takes to adjust each detail depending on the day. To learn more about Sarah and her online offerings, visit her website: thecognitivecanine.com, and follow her on social media: Facebook: The Cognitive Canine, LLC Instagram: Cognitive_Canine Tiktok: @sarahstremming Listen to her podcast: Cog-Dog Radio and subscribe to her Patreon Platform Megan has a new website domain: www.fxagility.com and her social media channels all use the same handle: @fxagility to easily find her on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube. Thanks for listening!
025 When I hear, "Oh, they should know better", I cringe a bit. In this episode, I unpack how I understand the reality of needing to let criteria go sometimes, and what that means for the big picture of competing with our dogs. I talk about cue escalation during this episode. To learn more about that I mean, read this blog post. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram!
024: In this episode, Megan shares her thoughts on building more desire for training in our dogs. Using reinforcement consistently and in the right situations gives our dogs the confidence to be all they can be! Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Tiktok: @fxagility
023 Today I'm sharing my thoughts on teaching and coaching dog agility, or any situations where a human and dog are learning together.
022. Let's all own up to our competitive nature AND hold up to our values of training and competing with excellence. We owe it to our dogs and to ourselves to be mentally, physically, and technically prepared for each competition, but now all competitions should be treated equally. Listen in to find out how Megan prioritizes different phases in training while at competition throughout the year.
021 When you learn something new, how do you know what to do with that information? How do you decide if you should put effort into using this new skill, or if you should put it on the back burner for another time? In this episode, Megan gives you a series of questions for handlers to dig into in order to filter and file new information.
020 - What are dog agility seminars for and how can you prepare to get the most out of one? In this episode, Megan talks about different seminar formats, how to get the most out of your time as a worker AND an auditor, and the different perspectives of seminar-ing: student, host, and instructor. Join the community --> www.synergydogsports.com/community
019 In this episode, Megan answers questions from community members about all things Teeter Training. Listen in for insights, tips, and tricks for teaching and maintaining a confident and reliable teeter performance.
018 It's a fact that instructors wish students would practice more outside of class AND students wish that it was easier to practice outside of class. Dive into this episode to learn how Megan uses foundation skills and a little bit of creativity to continue building skills, repairing skills, and teaching new skills to dogs of all ages and experience levels. Essential Skills for Stopped Contacts Webinar Synergy Dog Sports Community Synergy Dog Sports Homepage
017 Megan draws parallels between how we practice dog agility and how musicians practice and her ah-ha moments when applying current brain research to both. Megan references Dr. Molly Gebrian's excellent and insightful youtube series "What Musicians Can Learn about Practicing from Current Brain Research" Please go have a listen to that series and ALL of Dr. Gebrian's work - she makes the neuroscience very easy to understand and apply. Join Megan for her webinar on Essential Skills for Stopped Contacts on September 8th 2022 or purchase ahead of time to get access to the recording! Subscribe to the SDS Community on MightyNetworks to gain access to extras! Happy Training.
016 Today Megan breaks down why someone may choose to train stopped contacts vs running contacts and how the choices for each contact obstacle are not exactly equal. Spoiler: it has a LOT to do with your big picture! Essential Skills for Stopped Contacts Webinar --> https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/self-study/webinars From Trick to Treat 6-week Teeter Training Course --> https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/28852 www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com
Join me in this excellent conversation with fitness coach and my personal trainer, Liz Joyce. She is the founder of Canine Handler Fitness where she runs a speed and agility development program for agility handlers called Fast & Agile. She has been in the fitness industry since 2006 and has logged over 15000 client training hours to date. She has a gift at making fitness accessible, manageable and effective. To learn more about Liz, visit: caninehandlerfitness.com or follow her on social media! Send her a friend request on Facebook and follow her IG account @caninehandlerfitness www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com
Megan shares how she introduces new handling techniques to dogs and how she progresses the training overtime in order to build ring sustainability for both the handler and the dog. www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com
All agility behaviors, no matter how complex, can be worked backwards to a series of skills that I teach as foundation behaviors to my puppies and dogs new to agility training. In this episode, I unpack these skills and how they directly impact your agility training as well as other areas in your dog's performance career. www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com
We all know how important foundations are, but what about the skills needed *before* foundations can begin? Those skills are what I refer to as essential skills, and I want to bring more awareness to them! These skills are puppy friendly and make life with your dog more civilized and enjoyable AND bring more clarity to your sport specific training. It's a win-win!
From frantic to fabulous! I unpack the turning point in my training, nearly 7 years ago, and how it has helped me reach unbelievable precision and clarity in my training. www.synergydogsports.com/community
Ok, but what CAN we be teaching our puppies that directly impacts their agility career?! Megan goes through her list of essential skills that prepares her puppies for agility foundations that can build, stack, stagger, and inter-lock with all sorts of other skills, so that regardless of the pup's physical abilities, they are able to train for the end goal: competing confidently and comfortably in a variety of environments. www.synergydogsports.com/community
009 Megan speaks to the mindset needed when embarking on raising and training your puppy for sports, and some top tips for planning your training with your puppy and how to maintain progress. www.synergydogsports.com/fxagility www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com
008 Megan opens this puppy mini-series talking about life and how to build the habits you want for that puppy long term and to recognize that the dog you live with is the dog you compete with and they are always learning about who you are as a trainer. Reliable Recalls, by Sarah Stremming, host of Cog-Dog Radio You can join the Community and get your questions answered. Check out my free video course, Plan with Excellence to learn how to build your own training plans! Fostering Excellence in Agility opens for new members in July! Learn more here. & join me next week to hear more about PUPPIES!
007 Megan breaks down her process for planning a training session, and gives her top tips for staying efficient and effective in your training. FREE video course on training plans: www.synergydogsports.com/trainingplans www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com Episode 005: Breaking Down Splitting
006 Imagine it: you're running some sequences in your yard and something unexpected happens. Now what? Don't worry, there's a method for working out what went wrong and how to change it without sacrificing future progress. Listen in to learn the steps Megan takes to troubleshoot her own handling and her students' handling. www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com
005 Megan shares her tips in splitting apart the job of splitting apart the behaviors we teach our dogs. Focusing on splitting during the acquisition phase vs the generalization phase and what we can be doing to improve our performance in competition without access to full rings of equipment. www.synergydogsports.com/community
Be fair to yourself and your dog: practice your mechanics to fluency without them before adding your dog to the equation! Megan dives into why your mechanics matter so much in training, competing, and teaching. www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com
003 Let's break down the components of loopy training and how focusing on these details can help you identify and correct problems in your training sessions. www.synergydogsports.com/community www.synergydogsports.com
#002 Combat comparison by getting really real about your aspirations and all the variables that contribute to the path you take to get there. Join the Community --> www.synergydogsports.com/community Bookmark the website --> www.synergydogsports.com
#001 Learn about Megan and why she's decided to start podcasting. A brief history of her 25 years experience in sport and how Fostering Excellence in Agility was born! Join the Community --> www.synergydogsports.com/community Bookmark the website --> www.synergydogsports.com
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