January 29, 2025

January 29, 2025 Wednesday Wrap Up (Ohio State Wins, Checklist for Big Events, Dogwalk Update)

Ohio State Wins
We may have made a grave mistake last week by failing to mention that THE Ohio State University won the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. And let’s just say… we paid the price. Jennifer, a proud Ohio State graduate, lifelong Ohio resident, and Buckeye through and through, made sure we fully understood the gravity of our omission. To all the Buckeye faithful, consider this our official acknowledgment—congrats on the big win!

On January 20, 2025, Ohio State took down Notre Dame with a final score of 34–23 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, securing yet another national title. The game pulled in a massive 22.1 million viewers, peaking at 26.1 million during the second quarter. Buckeye Nation showed up in full force—both on the field and in front of their TVs.

And since we’re making amends, here are two fun Buckeye facts for you:
1️⃣ The term “Buckeye” refers to both Ohio’s state tree and the university’s athletic teams. The name comes from the nut’s resemblance to a deer’s eye—though we don’t recommend eating one!
2️⃣ Ohio State actually trademarked the word “THE” when used in connection with its merchandise. So yes, Buckeye fans’ insistence on emphasizing THE Ohio State University isn’t just pride—it’s legally protected.

So, congrats again to Ohio State and all the Buckeye fans out there—especially Jennifer, who may or may not have demanded this correction be made.

Checklist for Big Events
Multiple big events in agility are right around the corner, including Westminster, AKC Nationals, UKI Invitational, and more. This week on the podcast, we’re giving you a step-by-step preparation checklist to help you walk into the ring feeling confident and ready. We cover everything from knowing the rules and profiling the judge to training past courses, perfecting routines at regular trials, and sharpening your mental game. Whether it’s your first big competition or you’re a seasoned pro, these tips will help you fine-tune your approach and perform at your best when it matters most.

🎧 Listen now: https://baddogagility.com/episode-357-preparation-checklist-for-big-events/

Dogwalk Update
Thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts on the dogwalk safety discussion, and especially to those who sent in photos and videos—many of which were difficult to watch. Seeing dogs fall, sustain broken limbs, suffer long lacerations requiring stitches, and, in some cases, develop lasting fear that led to refusals or even early retirement from the sport has been heartbreaking.

The conversation around changes to the dogwalk’s height and width continues to gain momentum, and there’s now a significant development: UKI, CPE, NADAC, and AGILE (a research group focused on agility safety) have begun discussions about collaborating across organizations to improve safety in North American agility. While each organization may take its own approach, this kind of cooperation is a big step toward meaningful change. We’ll keep following the conversation as it evolves, and we appreciate everyone who has contributed their experiences and insights to this important discussion.

Send any comments or questions to team@baddogagility.com.

Happy Training,

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