Activity
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sun
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
What is this?
Less
More
Focus Makers
48
$5/m
28 contributions to Backyard Dog Training Matters
Sep 2 •
I have been super busy and this is why! UPDATE
I know this Skool group has been languishing, but I've been busy putting together this amazing workshop with agility expert Karen Holik called Not Ready for Prime Time! We have worked hard to provide a combination of exercises to fill in foundation holes and elevate on-course skills, and lectures to help you correct possible weaknesses in, or missing pieces of, your training and trial preparation. This workshop may be exactly what you need to go from suboptimal performances to Qs and ribbons! I'm really proud of what we've put together. It has opportunities for everyone to work, even for those who don't purchase a "Premier" spot. You can check it out at the link below. It starts today (Wednesday, September 2), but people can join at any time and still get a lot out of it. It runs for 18 days and then it's done, though, so don't wait TOO long. https://www.cleanrun.com/product/not_ready_for_prime_time_agility_workshop/index.cfm In other news, Parker, my Whippet, finished his Fetch Intermediate title, and it was such a fun experience. What have you been doing with your dogs? Please share! Thanks for being here! Brenna
1 like • Sep 2
How exciting!! That sounds like a great opportunity for learning. And way to go, Parker! Kessel went into heat in early August so she's not been doing quite as much training due to that mostly because it's a hassle. But she's pretty much done now so we can start to get back to more targeted stuff and more frequent sessions. She is doing AMAZING though with what we have been doing. Girl is just so smart! I cannot wait to see where we go together. Kyber is in our "bag chasing" rotation (it feels like we end up doing a lot of agility in chunks and then a lot of lure sports in chunks). Kyber finished his DCAT in August in FastCAT and also took home a lure operator's award and two rosettes for "Fastest All American 18+" and two first place ribbons for All Americans in the two events he entered in August. We're running some ASFA lure coursing this weekend as well and then September is pretty low key after that. We will be starting Agility League, though, so I'm looking forward to that. We then have one more FastCAT in early October before the season ends and then we'll be back at agility with one AKC trial and a couple CPE ones.
1 like • Sep 3
@Brenna Fender She is definitely growing up! She had her first birthday the end of July.
Jul 25 •
RC Cars for Lure Coursing Fun???
I just read that there are people doing backyard, fun type of lure coursing with remote control cars. I think this seems like a pretty interesting idea. Have any of you tried this? Any info would be welcome.
2 likes • Jul 26
All I can think of is "YIKES!" I don't trust any of those backyard methods of lure coursing. My dogs are the type that would either brake the machine (or RC car) or get broken themselves. I leave lure coursing to experts.
1 like • Aug 3
@Brenna Fender I think there are just a lot of factors the average person doesn't think about when it comes to running lure sports safely. Terrain. Giving the dog enough notice to safely take turns. Understanding how a dog follows a lure to know how to stop them safely. Making sure the place you've chosen is safe to run. I personally don't think it's a backyard activity but ymmv.
Jun 20 •
What are you doing this weekend?
Are you training or trialing this weekend? I'm doing a lot of work, but my dogs get to participate in some of it! I'm working on a product video for a new thing -- a case for the Ready Treat, a remote treat dispenser. So two of my dogs got to spend time eating snacks while I recorded them. :) Here's one of my 5,000 takes. LOL! What are you all up to?
1 like • Jun 27
@Brenna Fender Fun runs. Kyber, being a mixed breed, was ineligible to participate in AKC sports until he was neutered in January. But he has had several opportunities to do it for fun since he was a year old. He ran the 5.987 in 2023. Kessel has the same problem. She can't participate until she is spayed but she can still do fun runs so she does.
1 like • Jun 28
@Brenna Fender I have heard dogs peak in speed between 2 and 3 years of age but I'm not sure that applies here. Kyber has been running right around 6.1 seconds since he first attempted FastCATs. There are so many factors that go into a fast run in FastCAT. Track conditions (too wet, too dry), incline, time of day, who is releasing/catching him. . . So we just got really lucky on that day he broke 6 seconds. It could happen again but I'm not going to hold my breath.
May 13 •
News and Brags, May 12th Edition :)
Hi Everyone! How was your weekend? Post your training and trialing brags here! I've been busy teaching my Backyard Training Matters group in the Clean Run Learning Center, so I spent my Saturday working on my classroom demo for week 2, which involves setting a course and running it a few times with my Whippet, Parker. So, that was fun. I spent Mother's Day with my human family and didn't do anything doggy at all! We're playing BINGO as the May Challenge in our group, and Charlotte and Bluebell have already won Bingo not once but THREE TIMES! CONGRATULATIONS, CHARLOTTE AND BLUEBELL! I'm hoping they are going to get BLACKOUT and complete the entire card! I hope you all will give it a go, too. Look here to find the thread to get started: https://www.skool.com/backyard-dog-training-matters-2491/may-challenge-coming-soon?p=7a5f0753 If you've got a moment and would like to help support this group, please consider checking out the dog-related items I recommend in my new Amazon storefront. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from your purchases. I only recommend things I use and like. Here's my store: https://a.co/d/0dQ03ItK See you in SKOOL!
1 like • May 19
@Brenna Fender Here's a snippet from our session. The "slow arms" are basically just me putting both my hands down low to really signal him to slow down and collect. You'll see it with the 2 serpentine jumps early in the sequence which keeps him from going full tilt into the tunnel.
1 like • May 25
@Brenna Fender Thanks! He's really fun to run when we connect well. If I'm off my game, though, woof. It's hard!
May 18 •
Backyard Dog Training Matters Skool: News of the Week!
How was your weekend? Did you train or trial? Tell us about it! Don't forget that our Bingo group challenge is still going strong. Just visit the Skool group and check out the pinned threads for more info. One of our group members is planning to do the challenge with some friends at a picnic. I'd be happy to help facilitate group efforts or team entries if you are interested. Just message or post in the group. I'd love to bring in some more members and get more conversation happening! Speaking of conversation, I would love it if you would reply to this post in the group! You can brag, report back on your weekend of training, or just include a picture of your dog (or dogs). And tell me what you would like to see in this group to make it worth participating in! Shameless plug: Did you know I created two super niche coloring books? In one, you'll spend a day at an agility trial with some adorable gnomes and their talented dogs. In the other, you can answer the question that I know you've been pondering: what if a dragon was your veterinarian??? :) Check out both books on my author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/brennafender And please tell your friends, neighbors, and random strangers about them too :) Have a great week! Brenna PS: Attached are some photos from one of my coloring books: "Dog Agility Coloring Book & Story, Which Gnome & Dog Will Win Today?"
2 likes • May 18
This weekend Kyber ran three days (2 runs each day) at FastCAT since he's now officially able to enter trials. He took 1st place in each trial each day averaging a speed of 33mph. He also earned his BCAT on Sunday morning after only 5 runs. Kessel also had a chance to try it. She wasn't thrilled about a stranger trying to remove her leash but she was super keen on the bags! She's almost 10 months old and still runs like a puppy but she did SUPER.
1-10 of 28
@jamie-ohman-4909
Kyber, border whippet and Kessel, fluffy lurcher. Plus their handler. Mostly CPE agility.
Active 17d ago
Joined Nov 11, 2025