PODCAST: When Stress Hijacks Handling
Have you ever stepped to the line with a clear plan and then completely forgotten your plan as soon as your dog started running? It happens to everyone, and it often feels like a personal failure. The truth is that it is not a motivation issue or a confidence issue. It is basic human physiology.
In this week’s podcast, we dig into the neuroscience behind handling under pressure. When stress rises, your sympathetic nervous system activates and shifts blood flow and resources away from the parts of the brain responsible for sequencing, timing, and decision-making. The prefrontal cortex, the area that helps you remember the next four obstacles and choose the right line, works less efficiently. At the same time, adrenaline narrows your visual field and pushes your body into survival mode rather than fine-motor control. Suddenly you are reacting instead of handling.
The good news is that the brain is predictable, and you can use that to your advantage. We talk about the physiological sigh, a simple two-step inhale followed by a long exhale that drops stress quickly by lowering carbon dioxide levels and activating the vagus nerve. I’ve been hearing a lot about it but never used it on course. If any of you have experience with using the physiological sigh, please email me!
We also explain why overlearning skills in training helps shift handling into deeper motor pathways so it holds up under pressure. If you have ever forgotten your plan, panicked mid-run, or felt like your timing falls apart only at trials, give this episode a listen. Understanding what is happening in your brain can transform how you approach competition and give you a huge advantage the next time you step to the line.
Click here to listen to the podcast and learn how to keep your brain online when it matters most.
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Jennifer’s Ted Talk
If you missed it, Jennifer Crank recently gave a fantastic TED Talk titled “How to communicate with your dog, from a Westminster champion,” and it is absolutely worth your time. Jennifer brings one of her dogs on stage and breaks down the core pieces of communication that every agility handler relies on: timing, motion, clarity, and reading your teammate in real time. Even though the talk is geared toward a general audience, agility folks will recognize so much of what she is saying, especially her emphasis on being clear and consistent with your cues. It is a great reminder that every run starts with communication long before the first obstacle. You can watch her talk here:
Good Housekeeping
Sarah here! I came across a fun article in Good Housekeeping titled “The Trendiest Pet Names of 2025,” based on Rover’s data from more than a million dogs and cats. The names climbing the charts this year are surprisingly creative and very entertaining. Examples include Elphie, Tsuki, Caesar, Rumi, Mufasa, and food inspired names like Hoji, Adzuki, and Mr. Biscuit. It is always interesting to see how naming trends shift from year to year and what catches on in the dog world.
I would love to hear from you. If you, the reader, have named your dog a name on this list, please tell me. Share the name, the story behind it, and how it matches your dog’s personality. It is always fun to see which names will become the next big thing in agility circles.
Turning 50
A quick personal note. I am turning fifty on November 24th. When I turned thirty, I actually felt really down about it. Sarah made me a birthday cake with black frosting that stained your teeth and decorated it with “Why God Why?” in honor of Joey Tribbiani from Friends. She also threw me a wonderful surprise party that I still remember.
This time around feels completely different. I feel good approaching fifty, even though I have barely had a moment to reflect because my schedule has been wild. So I want to hear from you. If you have crossed the fifty line, no matter how old you are today, what would you like to tell me about turning fifty?
Let me know at team@baddogagility.com.
Happy Training,
