Marvelous Agility Training

08/21/2024

🔥🧊 Captain America: 24” Overall ICE Winner🧊🔥

08/11/2024

Pan and Captain’s favorite part of going to Jacksonville? The swimming of course.
My favorite part? Witnessing lightbulb moments and continuing growth from such a fun, supportive bunch of teams! It has been a real pleasure working consistently once a month with a group of eager to learn students. The bonus part? They like their homework, do it, and it shows! 🙃

08/03/2024

Time takes time and breaks are ok.

took a bit of a pause with Pan. Does it mean we weren’t training? Well yes and no. I wanted to post an update on our training adventure as I think it’s an important reminder about the practice of checking in on goal achievement. While goals tend to be more set in stone, the process of achievement can be very fluid. This summer we took a break from training agility to focus on some bigger picture goals. The perfect storm hit where I was not the handler or trainer Pan needed and he needed some time to grow.

This summer was filled with grief, loss, and overwhelming emotions for me. This summer also held a lot of growth, healing, and resiliency. Pan struggled with normal puppy emotional growth and a small fear period. Pan is a very sensitive guy and wants to be right. When training if he did something incorrect, he would disengage. This was a common experience with agility training only and I narrowed it down to struggling with confidence when faced with new skills. All of this meant neither of us were on our A-game. Our perfect storm.

We took a break from agility training. We focused on resiliency skills and continued to grow in our relationship. This is where it’s important to remember to prioritize the long term goals and train the dog you have. We could have pushed through and “made it work” but what does that mean for the long term agility career I hope to have with Pan?

So what is the plan now? Knowing more about Pan’s reward system, way of learning, and sensitivity, we started agility training again this past week after Pan turned 7 months old. Loaded with a new set of training tools and knowledge, timing feels right and we are better prepared to handle the challenges that go along with training.

Does this mean we will never face similar struggles again? Who knows. It is just important to remember that no matter where any handler and dog team is in their training process, stepping away for a break is ok. Taking time to learn is ok. Every handler and dog team grows at their own pace, which is not always at the same time, and that’s ok too.

07/31/2024

We are sending all of the luck to our fellow EO members this week! You guys will totally kill it!
We will be cheering so loud you will hear us here in the States. 😬
🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

07/26/2024

August is just around the corner and a new set of group classes will be starting soon!

Up and Comers! (Novice/Open teams)
This group class is perfect for any Novice dog and/or handler team! Class will focus on skill building, shorter sequences, and building a strong team between dog and handler. Dogs should be able to perform all equipment obstacles, with slight variations made for dogs that have not mastered specific obstacles.
Classes will run for 3 weeks in August on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm- 8:15 pm. (8/13, 8/20, 8/27)
Cost: $90 per dog for 3 week class
Location: Dade City, FL
*Group limit of 4 dogs


Advanced Education (Excellent/Master teams)
This group class will help to fine tune some of the more advanced skills. Sequences will be designed for more Master level AKC/USDAA/UKI level. Dogs should be able to perform all equipment obstacles.
Classes will run for 5 weeks in August on Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm- 8:15 pm. (8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22, 8/29)
Cost: $150 per dog for 5 week class
Location: Dade City, FL
*Group limit of 4 dogs


USO or Bust!
This group class will focus on the skills that are predicted to be seen at the 2024 US Open. Each week, skills that are commonly seen in courses from the US Open judges will be taught, practiced, discussed, and put to the test. Sequences will be based on courses from a different US Open judge weekly. Class will focus on the skills needed and sequencing rather than full course work. Dogs should be able to perform all equipment obstacles and the focus is preparing for handlers planning to attend the 2024 UKI US Open.
Classes will run for 4 weeks in August on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 pm-8:15 pm (8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28)
Cost: $120 per dog for 4 week class
Location: Dade City, FL
*Group limit of 4 dogs


Private Lessons
Private lessons are available on an individual basis based on availability. Please contact Marvelous Agility for scheduling and costs.

07/20/2024

We made our way to Jacksonville for some fun teaching. Morning was early to beat the heat but man was it worth it! Every team did a fantastic job and dogs used their big brains all morning! Always love my time here and love working with such a great group of eager, ready to learn students. It also helps that we laugh….a lot. 😄 The dogs were very happy to spend some time playing in the pool. Pan has officially decided he’s a fish. 🐟

06/25/2024

July is practically here and new classes are starting the first week!

The following classes will continue in July 2024:

Up and Comers! (Novice/Open teams)
This group class is perfect for any Novice dog and/or handler team! Class will focus on skill building, shorter sequences, and building a strong team between dog and handler. Dogs should be able to perform all equipment obstacles, with slight variations made for dogs that have not mastered specific obstacles.
Classes will run for 5 weeks in July on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm. (7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, and 7/30)
Cost: $150 per dog for 4 week class
Location: Dade City, FL
*Group limit of 4 dogs

Advanced Education (Excellent/Master teams)
This group class will help to fine tune some of the more advanced skills. Sequences will be designed for more Master level AKC/USDAA/UKI level. Dogs should be able to perform all equipment obstacles.
Classes will run for 3 weeks in July on Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm. (7/11, 7/18, and 7/25)
Cost: $90 per dog for 3 week class
Location: Dade City, FL
*Group limit of 4 dogs

Private Lessons
Private lessons are available on an individual basis based on availability. Please contact Marvelous Agility for scheduling and costs.


*To sign up for any group classes, please contact Marvelous Agility for enrollment, all policies/rules, and any further questions.*

06/15/2024

Really, the big win for this week is that retrieve. 🥹 That had been a very difficult skill for the Pan pup to grasp. 🤪 Other fun includes more wing wrap skills, starting to teach “go”, and then a sneak peak at some of our RDW foundation. 💜🖤

06/08/2024

While was neglected, training has continued. Between travel, work, and life, our training sessions have not been as structured and the focus has been on some life skills. This week highlights the start of baby wing wraps, directionals, practicing patience while Captain works, and some handling games.
💜🖤

06/01/2024

Wow! What a day today!!! Thank you Shannon for organizing today’s mini seminar. Weather was surprisingly nice and not too hot, which was a major bonus. To have a handful of light bulb moments go off for teams is always my hope, but to watch EVERY TEAM have multiple light bulb moments was a magical experience. 🤩 It was such a honor to work with every single team today and can’t wait to go back for more! 🥰
Also, Pan was the most perfect boy traveling all day, playing, training some, and patiently waiting in his crate for his turn while I taught. 🖤💜

05/13/2024

Amy started training dogs and joined the agility world in 1998 with her first dog, a German Shepherd named Shadow. Shadow gave her a good introduction into the agility world, and she learned a lot of lessons about running a dog that stresses in the ring. Since then, she competed with a number of Border Collie in different venues including USDAA, UKI, and AKC. She has a history of teaching a number of students with different experience levels from new to the sport to well seasoned handlers. Being in the sport for so long, she has learned and evolved to know a number of training skills and techniques and has received lessons from some of the top handlers in the world. Amy believes that communication, both verbal and nonverbal, is the key to success on the agility course. She has learned a number of skills to help communicate with her dog, and she wants to help others learn in order to become the most effective team. She believes foundation and independent skills are two of the most important and effective tools for successfully navigating courses at any level or venue.
Recent accomplishments with her current competition dog, Captain America, include multiple top finals placements at the UKI US Open, 24 inch Open High in Trial win at DACOF 2022, 24 inch Excellent High in Trial win at DACOF 2023, winning Round 3 at 2023 European Open Try Outs, and current 2024 European Open Team Member.

05/13/2024

Exciting things are happening at Marvelous Agility Training!

We are proud to announce the start of agility classes at our newly fenced field! All group and private lessons will be taught by Amy Kundinger, owner of Marvelous Agility Training LLC.

The following classes will be start in June 2024:

Up and Comers! (Novice/Open teams)
This group class is perfect for any Novice dog and/or handler team! Class will focus on skill building, shorter sequences, and building a strong team between dog and handler. Dogs should be able to perform all equipment obstacles, with slight variations made for dogs that have not mastered specific obstacles.
Classes will run for 4 weeks in June on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm. (6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25)
Cost: $120 per dog for 4 week class
Location: Dade City, FL
*Group limit of 4 dogs

Advanced Education (Excellent/Master teams)
This group class will help to fine tune some of the more advanced skills. Sequences will be designed for more Master level AKC/USDAA/UKI level. Dogs should be able to perform all equipment obstacles.
Classes will run for 4 weeks in June on Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm. (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27)
Cost: $120 per dog for 4 week class
Location: Dade City, FL
*Group limit of 4 dogs

Private Lessons
Private lessons are available on an individual basis based on availability. Please contact Marvelous Agility for scheduling and costs.


*To sign up for any group classes, please contact Marvelous Agility for enrollment, all policies/rules, and any further questions.*

05/03/2024

Back to our regularly scheduled with Black Panther!

While Captain America occupied most of my time last week, after returning home from WTT late Tuesday evening, this little shrimp got all of the attention. 💜🖤

We worked on some play with distractions from people and their dogs and then using our listening ears from a distance. We are working on retrieving toys and bringing them back but that continues to be a work in progress. 🙃 We also started building on body awareness, especially rear end awareness. 💪🏻

04/20/2024

The big wins this week for weren’t captured on film (what a weird feeling using that “outdated” saying 🙊).

Independent skills and impulse control were the names of the game this week. Independent skills in just solidifying verbals, verbal discriminations, and going between sits and downs at a distance. Impulse control in the sense of not losing our mind when people or dogs are doing agility. Pan stayed out in a crate and watched while I taught lessons. He also worked on staying on a platform while his big brother was out AND a friend was playing agility. Other wins this week include swim lessons, learning about kiddie pools, traveling, and starting to lose those little teeth. 😬 🦷

Bonus video clip of Pan being the absolute cutest in a kiddie pool. 🙃

04/13/2024

This week for , only 1 training session was filmed this week but it was a good one. 🤩
Training that is showcased includes learning some new leash manners and solidifying “where’s my dog”and “through”. Other important training wins not caught on tape included calmly watching agility while I teach, going out and about to new places, and practicing recalls at new places.

04/06/2024

Catching the end of while we still can. 🙃

This week we learned “through” for leg wraps and started “where’s my dog” for new skills. Other than that we focused primarily on strengthening other skills and gaining some more verbal independence. We also started to really hone in on our listening ears and distinguishing between different commands. Stays were tested with more distance, outside distractions, and a toy to chase. This Pan puppy really is a smart one and loves to work/play.

Also, sneak peek of one of the most important life skills at the end. 😜

03/29/2024

Week five of 💜🖤

Continuing to learn things, work on body awareness, and switching between toys and food. This week Pan learned a little bit more about his rear end with a couple of different exercises that will be important foundations for future skills. Also started working on following some house rules. Pan would like to know when he can go back to being just a crazy puppy instead of having to follow all of these rules. 😂

03/26/2024

Some exciting new developments here. 🤩
Also, Captain America approved. ✅

03/23/2024

this week is more like . 😂

We are a day behind posting but such is life sometimes. This week Pan started to learn about more rules. Highlighted are the starts of impulse control around the other dogs (and sometimes cats 🤪), “place”, and “stay”. Some independent “lefts” and “rights” just for fun thrown in.

This week could probably be considered if I think about it? 🤔

03/15/2024

It is time for another episode of and this week was a very fun and exciting week! 🤩

While new people, experiences, and environments are always a focus with puppy foundation work, the highlight reel really goes to some of the focus work we did.

Pan worked hard to focus on me and not some of the environmental distractions. Environmental distractions we worked through this week included a mower in a neighboring yard, roofing next door, and a leaf blower. We also included Captain America in our focus training, as Cap is Pan’s best bro and very exciting. Pan loves food so we did a lot of switching between food and toy play to help build value for both. Toward the end of the week, we started rear end awareness practice and Pan started to learn that he has back feet. 🖤💜

03/08/2024

Another edition of 🤩
This week was more about experiences than anything else. Exposure to new environments and people was the focus and Pan did so well. We also are continuing to build on our relationship and learning how to learn with confidence. Pan is a deep thinker, who very much so wants to be right. Learning how to not take learning too seriously and not get caught in his head are two of his biggest lessons right now. We mix a lot of play in with our training and keep sessions brief.

Some of our new adventures this week included first time out to dinner and first dog show. Pan also had a lot of socialization this week meeting new adults, children, and some trusted dogs.

03/01/2024

Happy
I absolutely love foundation work and plan to share some of our journey along the way. This week was all about learning how to communicate with each other and start to develop that special bond. We played tons of name, recall, and chase games. Pan went to some new locations and practiced his listening skills along the way. My goal, which hopefully I continue with 🤞🏻, is to do a weekly, 1 minute clip of some of things we did that week. 💜🖤

02/22/2024

More amazing shots from Bad A*z Dogz 🤩

❤️🤍💙”I can do this all day.” ❤️🤍💙

02/20/2024

To say I’m obsessed with this boy would be such an understatement. Love this shot of his athleticism and muscles. 🤩
📸: Bad A*z Dogz

02/04/2024

Home from another great weekend teaching for Tracie Lampton. So much fun and so great to see progress with evergone!! These three are always down for the adventure. 🥰🥹

01/28/2024

What a great day at Dog On It’s first UKI show!! Thank you Mike Wagner for some great and fun courses!!

My heart is always full when I get to step to the line with my bestest boy. Today was a full heart and full connection day. 🥹
Such a perfect day: First in Master Series Overall, Speedstakes, Gamblers, Jumping, and Agility

12/12/2023

Very excited to announce that Marvelous Agility’s trainer Amy Kundinger and Captain America officially made Team USA for the European Open 2024! So many great dogs were at EOTT and it is an honor to be on a team with so much talent. Congratulations to everyone! ❤️🤍💙

The team is now complete! We are very excited to have a fantastic line up of dogs and handlers on the team.

The European Open Team will be traveling to compete in England August 2nd-4th, 2024.

Congratulations to everyone! Now let’s get to work!

2024 AKC European Open Team USA

Small
Laura Dolan & Coos (win on spot)
Angie Benacquisto & Sundae (win on spot)
Laura Dolan and Pre
Han Yu & Skye
Tammie Gigstad & Maui
Mich Powers & Chibi
Diane Patterson & Happy
Cassie Schmidt & True

Alternates
Jen Pinder & Wicca
Courtney Moore & Butter
Maggie Schoolar & Cher
Jennifer Miller & Lore

Medium
Casey Keller & Fidget (win on spot)
Abigail Beasley & Swindle (win on spot)
Chris Tucci & Raana Peekins
Bonnie Opal & Edward
Karissa Solberg & Obi
Allison Hill & Sunny
Cynthia Hornor & Nimble
Deb Schumann & Trek

Alternates
Amy Sheffield & Halen
Christine Brew & Indi
Grace Huffman & Guster
Daniel Lombard & Anthem

Intermediate
Jada Sawhney & Zula (win on spot)
Jennifer Seidel & Indygirl (win on spot)
Bob Daigle & Blew Bayou
Emily Klarman & Vanish
Casey Keller & Liri
Soshana Dos & Jam
Chris Derby & Nova
Kris Seiter & Naavdanya

Alternates
Chris Tucci & Serengeti Moremi
Jennifer Seidel & Enzo
Viveka Rosenberger & Monty
Mark Bills & Ziva

Large
Perry DeWitt & Genuine (win on spot)
Perry DeWitt & Wit (win on spot)
Jessica Ajoux & Hallelujah
McKenzie Minto & Safari
Jeremy Gerhard & Ruckus
Darcy Ernat & Cosmo
Stefanie Rainer & Believe
Janet Terry & Scenic

Alternates
Kris Seiter & Lhotse
Amy Kundinger & Captain America
Alice Cinotto & Mystery
Cynthia Hornor & Truant

11/10/2023

On this day last year, Captain America ran in his first Speedstakes Finals at the US Open. ❤️🤍💙
As I prepare for more US Open memories, I cannot help but reflect on how proud I am of our teamwork and grateful for the adventures ahead.
Safe travels to everyone and we cannot wait to see you all next week!!