The Wrong End of the Tunnel

What happens when your agility coach is also your partner?
In this episode, Kert and Aimee talk honestly about the unique challenges, benefits, and occasional awkward moments of coaching the person you live with. They explore how their coaching relationship began, how it has evolved, and why the same things that make a great coach-athlete partnership - trust, clear communication, structure, and constructive feedback—matter even more when you are bringing that relationship home with you.
They discuss how to give feedback without it becoming personal, what to do when emotions run high or you disagree, and why creating boundaries between “coach mode” and everyday life is essential. You will also hear how video analysis, focused feedback, planning, and understanding the stages of learning can help handlers develop more confidence and autonomy in their training.
Whether you coach your partner, are coached by them, train closely together, or simply want to become better at receiving and giving feedback, this episode offers practical ideas for protecting the relationship while improving performance in the agility ring.

In this episode, Kert and Dave take the agility world to Room 101. The place where the sport’s most irritating habits, phrases and show-day misdemeanours get judged, defended and potentially banished forever.
From dreadful coffee at shows and people chatting in the middle of a course walk, to handlers blaming their dogs for their own mistakes, late-running classes and questionable ring set-ups, nothing is safe. They also tackle the debate around AI-generated show flyers, unsolicited advice after a run, filming for handling analysis, and why a few simple checks could make competitions safer and less stressful for everyone.
Expect strong opinions, counter-arguments, plenty of humour, and listener nominations from the agility community. Which annoyances deserve a place in Room 101—and which ones are we all guilty of occasionally doing ourselves?
Let us know what you would send to Room 101. What is the one agility-show habit, phrase or frustration that you would happily banish forever?

Ever caught yourself thinking, “My dog just isn’t fast enough,” “We’ve made too many mistakes,” or “We’ll never be as good as that team”?
In this episode, Kert and Jess sit down for an honest conversation about the agility myths that can quietly get in the way of enjoying training and making progress. They talk about the pressure to do more reps, go faster, avoid mistakes, and have a naturally talented dog—and why none of those ideas tell the full story.
You’ll hear why speed is about more than simply rushing through training, why older dogs can still make brilliant improvements, and how a mistake can become useful information rather than something to panic about. Kert and Jess also share why the best handlers aren’t the ones who never get it wrong—they’re the ones who can recover quickly, stay connected to their dog, and keep moving forward.
Whether you’re training a young dog, running an older partner, chasing competition goals, or simply wanting to enjoy agility more, this episode is a reminder to question the stories you’ve been told—and the ones you might be telling yourself.

In this episode, Aimee opens up about her personal journey through perimenopause and menopause, sharing the symptoms she experienced, the impact they had on her training, agility and everyday life, and what she has learned along the way.
We explore what perimenopause and menopause actually are, how hormonal changes can affect sleep, energy, recovery, strength, mental health and performance, and the different strategies that can help women navigate this stage of life.
We also discuss strength training, nutrition and protein, medical support and hormone therapy, and why seeking help and having open conversations about menopause can make such a difference.
For agility handlers, this episode offers an important perspective on how changes that can feel like a loss of fitness, motivation or confidence may actually have a deeper physiological explanation. More broadly, it is a conversation that many men may also find valuable. Most men will have a partner, family member, friend or colleague who experiences menopause, yet many of us understand very little about it.
Aimee's experiences provide an honest and insightful look into a stage of life that affects millions of women, helping to build greater understanding, empathy and support. Whether you are going through perimenopause yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply want to learn more, this episode is full of practical information, personal experiences and valuable lessons.
Above all, this is a conversation about understanding what is happening, adapting rather than simply pushing harder, and finding ways to continue feeling strong, healthy and capable through a significant period of change.

Your first agility competition can feel like a huge leap, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
In this episode, Jess and Kert take a deep dive into everything you need to know before stepping into the ring for your first agility trial. From preparing your dog and getting comfortable with a new environment, to managing nerves, walking the course and dealing with those inevitable first-competition mishaps, they share practical advice and plenty of personal experience.
They discuss why exposure and mock trials can be so valuable, how arriving early can help both you and your dog settle, what to take with you on competition day, and why the right clothing and footwear can make a bigger difference than you might expect.
They also explore the mental side of competing, including how to handle mistakes, keep your focus on your dog, reward the things that go well and avoid letting one moment define your entire experience.
And perhaps most importantly, Jess and Kert talk about enjoying your first trial rather than chasing perfection. Watching other competitors, volunteering, getting to know the agility community and simply soaking up the experience can all help build confidence for future competitions.
Your first run only happens once, so record it, learn from it, and enjoy it. It might become a memory you'll cherish far more than you realise at the time.