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Engaging in resistance training may contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis by promoting increased bone density. This form of exercise imposes stress on the bones, prompting the body to generate denser bone tissue.While research hasn't definitively established a substantial increase in bone density through resistance training, a 2020 review su

 Ever wondered what key foundation information is essential to getting a good start in agility? In this episode Loretta and I talk about exactly that — including a look at some of the terminology that it's easy for beginners to get tripped up on!  Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Spo

Boundless Junior Agility Company or BJAC exists to support junior agility handlers — join us for a conversation about the future of the sport, how you can lend your support, and what challenges junior handlers face that may be overlooked by other competitors.  Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi

Training in small spaces is an incredibly valuable training tool and my dogs think it's a blast! Having trouble with an exercise? Have a piece(s) that could use more confidence or animation? Have behaviors that require precision, but you don't want to lose enthusiasm? I'll show you how to turn them into behaviors your dog loves and finds self-reinf

 Duration is about so much more than just a sit or down stay! Join us for a conversation on how teaching duration as a concept makes it easier to generalize to new behaviors. Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau, and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast, brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online school

When your dog comes up lame, when is it time to worry that it may be something serious? What do you do if your general practice vet doesn't seem concerned... but you know there's something wrong? What should you do to chase down a diagnosis? Sue and I chat about all that and more in this week's episode. Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa

My ultimate goal when trialing is to have the same dog in the ring that I have in training. A dog that is happy and joyful and having a blast. I think we all want that. And we train really, really hard for a very, very long time to get that. And then we compete and don't get it. And we are very disappointed and frustrated. And to be hones

Whether you realize it or not, every time you and your dog step to the line handler pressure will play a role in the search. So, how can you use it to your advantage? Aleks and I discuss exactly that in this episode of the podcast! Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau, and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast, brought to y

Often, we hear the comment, that if a dog doesn't respond to a handler's cue it is because they didn't "understand", but "not understanding" is only one of the many reasons why our dog may not respond rapidly or accurately to our cues.In this blog we are going to consider the much broader range of potential reasons why our dog may not perform the b

Ever wondered what to expect at our annual in-person event? This week we'll hear from several people who have attended multiple events about what they love and why they keep coming back.   Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau, and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast, brought to you by the Fenzi Dog. Sports Acade

 As an instructor I see common mistakes that many students make. Important concepts that can be applied to all aspects of training. Regardless of the sport, level, or dog's experience. These are concepts we need to remember every time we train for the length of the dog's training career. This is the first in a series of blogs I'll put out revi

 Competing in conformation is so much more than running in circles — join me and Ashley for a conversation on the skills it takes to become best in class.  Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast, brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online school dedicated to p

Routines provide us with comfort, control, and can reduce stress levels. They help us relax and can reduce anxiety. Think about how it feels for you, to be thrown out of your normal routine. It can be stressful for some of us! Now think about this happening when you are in a new and strange place. That's uncomfortable, or even scary. It can be the

Engagement and attention are not the same thing — In this episode Petra dives into what training engagement looks like and why it's crucial to compete successfully.   Transcription Coming soon!  Credits Today's show is brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. Special thanks to Denise Fenzi for supporting this podcast. Mus

In AKC (American Kennel Club) rally, each sign that requires you to walk around your dog also includes a pause when you get back to heel position. So, what exactly is a pause?A pause is a complete stop of forward motion with your feet together. Pauses can be fairly quick, but it should be obvious that you paused in heel position. I recommend counti

Choice and habit both play a role in our dog training - and if we want to change behavior, it's important to determine which that behavior falls into to create an effective plan. During this episode, Irith and I talk about how to know and what to do! Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Pod

Often times, the hardest step in heeling is that first one. There are so many fun ways to start moving forward! Stop heeling from a boring sit and start motivating your dog! Hand Touches​ I like the dog to be attentive and driving up and forward on that first step. One technique you can use to accomplish this is the hand touch. Start by ensuring th

Wellness is about both the physical and the emotional being. Today Kelly and I take a deeper look at what that means and what we, as handlers, can do to ensure the wellness of our canine athletes.    Transcription Melissa Breau: This is Melissa Breau, and you're listening to the Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Spo

Here's the thing… With so many dog sports out there, each with their own pros and cons, it can be hard to decide which to choose! If you enjoy teaching precision and control, maybe you'd like obedience. If you enjoy fast and dynamic behaviors, agility may be more your speed. Exploring the world with your dog? Maybe you'd like parkour! Fascinated wi

Ever wonder how herding dog handlers get those fabulous downs at a distance? Hélène Lawler joins me to talk about building reliable behaviors at a distance... useful whether you want to herd sheep or nail your startline stay and drop on recall!    Transcription Coming soon!  Credits Today's show is brought to you by the Fenzi Dog Spo