Blazing Paws, LLC

12/31/2024

12/08/2024

CLARIFICATION: This is only for my Blazing Paws students. I will be at PDS tomorrow teaching those classes.

Reminder: no classes for the next two weeks. Zest and I will be traveling to and from the invitational.

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my students amd your pups. I am so grateful and honored that you let me be a small part of your journey. You are all amazing.

10/24/2024

AKC ACT Test November 17th!
Earn an AKC agility title in one day! This is for dogs that do NOT have an AKC title in agility. Perfect for beginners...jump at any height, no refusals, no weaves/teeter in level 1, flowy courses.

https://premierdogsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PDS-NOV-2024-LL-premium.pdf

10/18/2024

💯

Clean Run Training Tip of the Month ✏️

09/26/2024

Agility ring rentals, $25 half, $40 hour
Thursday (today) 3:15-3:45pm
Friday 9-10am, 10:30-11:30am
Agility drop-ins Thursday (today) 4:30 with Amanda (2 avail) $25
Text 716-316-6873 to claim!
The course is the STD course used for the Pumi Nationals.

09/11/2024

Cara Urban will be doing privates. Contact Cara if interested.

Apologies for the delay! Here it is... Upcoming agility privates at Blazing Paws, LLC in Lockport:

Sunday 9/15: 2 p.m.
Saturday 10/19: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday 10/20: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p m.
Saturday 10/26: at 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunday 10/27: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

$60/hr or $35/half hour - DM or text for details 🙂

Classes held on dirt with full size equipment

09/07/2024

In agility, time has become increasingly more important to competitors.

We have learned to fine-tune our handling to shave off tenths and hundredths when it matters most. Our dogs have access to better nutrition, physical therapists, chiropractors, and fitness trainers. They are running longer because of the hours we put into taking care of them.

We are also pushing them to reach greatness sooner.

The youngest to reach this title, this goal, this team… I understand. I did the same for myself as a junior handler. I chased being the youngest national champion, the youngest world team member, and succeeded at becoming the youngest USA European Open team member. What I can tell you from that experience is that it was mentally taxing with no true reward.

Chasing the clock is fun on course, but setting time limits on your goals is not.

I’ve found maturity is a key factor in competing at a higher level. Many dogs aren’t “grown up” until around five years old; you cannot rush development. You can push a dog long before it is ready, but you cannot rush training or competition experience and expect to reach greatness as a team.

The muscle memory to successfully perform obstacles, the verbal skills to distinguish between behaviors, and the ability for your dog to read your handling cues on course are not created overnight.

It takes hours, days, YEARS of commitment to be great, for you and your dog.

Those hours aren’t filled with motivational quotes, excuses and hoping for gold, they’re filled with intentional practice. Agility is a complex sport; something experienced handlers can take for granted.

You cannot rely on skills you have not fully developed, no matter how experienced you are or think you are. Greatness takes time, and that time must be well spent.

I can assure you that deliberate, methodical practice is as beneficial as it is boring. What I can not guarantee is when you’ll reap the benefits; no one can.

Train your dog and have patience with the process.

Your goals are meant to provide inspiration, tangible success and provide context for where you are on your own agility journey.

Your goals should not expire. Your goals should not be dependent on the performance of others. Your goals should not burden you with the threat of failure. Your goals should not place limits on your potential for success.

Be mindful of what you aim for and use to measure your success. The results won't always show the time and effort you've put in to be where you are today.

When goals are set effectively the results become the byproduct of the process. You can reach for the top and celebrate each step you take along the way - whether the journey takes you up, down or sideways.

The truth of it is that the trophies and ribbons are worth so much less than what you'll really gain from this journey.

08/31/2024

So important

08/28/2024

08/25/2024

Had a wonderful weekend at the Western Lakes Agility trial. Wonderful courses by Judge Bonnie C McDonald. Zest and Blast picked up two more QQ’s. Blast ended the weekend going 7 for 8 and Zest went 6-8. I couldn’t ask for better teammates. Blast is making me run faster but I’m not complaining. 🥰

I saw so much success from all of my students. Congratulations on your titles and personal bests. You all have worked so hard and it shows.

08/25/2024

This is the proofing on a jump I have mentioned in my classes.

08/18/2024

I have the following openings at Premier

08/13/2024

This is a better explanation of what I’ve tried to convey to some of my students.

Barrier Reinforcement Frustration is real. Many handlers stand right outside the gate waiting their turn while feeding treats to their dog. As soon as you go in, the reinforcement stops. Dogs are incredibly savvy and know that "things" are different on the other side of the gate. It is a source of stress for many dogs. Many handlers have commented to me "he is happy outside the gate, but the moment we go in, he is stressed". How we use reinforcement at classes, seminars and our backyards is significant. What to reinforce, when to reinforce, how to reinforce and where is the reinforcer are factors that take careful consideration. Are you building a resilient dog for competition by how you reinforce in practice? Training and trialing should look the same to our dogs. We don't run in competition with food on our bodies. We don't shovel treats continously before we go out and practice. So what can we do? First, get food off your body. Put it in a cookie jar, Treat n Train, lotus ball, fur pouch and practice remote reinforcement and delayed gratification. Second, stop feeding treats at least 15ft away from ring gates. Use a practical pattern like the up/down game for focus & engagement while waiting your turn to run. If needed, add an arousal game to your Start Routine, to get your dog in Peak Performance on the way to the start line.

08/07/2024