Happy Halloween from Bad Dog Agility
It’s that time of year again, and we want to see your dog’s Halloween costume! Submit a photo of your current dog (from this year’s Halloween only, please!) for our annual Bad Dog Agility Costume Contest. Our daughter Hannah will pick the winners, and the lucky dogs will be featured in next week’s Wednesday Wrap Up. If you get your photo in by early Friday, we’ll also pick one to feature on our Instagram page for our Happy Halloween post!
A few years ago, we decided to be that house—the one that gives out full-sized candy bars. The kids absolutely love it. We line them up like they’re in a candy store and let them choose their favorite: Twix, Milky Way, Toblerone, Skittles, Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike, M&Ms, Nestle Crunch, and more. Their faces light up every time, and honestly, it’s the best part of our night.
Happy Halloween, everyone! We can’t wait to see your dogs all dressed up.
My Dog Deserves Better
We’ve all had that moment after a rough run when we look at our dog and think, “My dog deserves better.” It usually comes from love. We see how hard our dogs try, how much they give us, and we want to match that effort. But over time, that caring impulse can start to sound more like guilt than motivation.
This week’s podcast dives into that exact feeling, where it comes from, how it shapes the way we see ourselves as handlers, and what our dogs really need from us. When we take responsibility in a healthy way, it pushes us to improve. But when we turn it into self-blame, it steals our confidence and slows our learning. The line between accountability and self-criticism is thin, and it’s one many handlers cross without even realizing it.
If you have a talented dog, the pressure can feel even heavier. What started as excitement can turn into anxiety, a sense that every mistake wastes potential. But potential isn’t something to protect. It’s an invitation to explore, to learn, and to enjoy the process together.
Agility culture often celebrates the idea of perfect teams, but the truth is that great partnerships are built, not born. Every team goes through awkward phases, mismatched moments, and growing pains. Those are not signs of failure; they’re proof that you’re putting in the work.
So next time you catch yourself thinking “my dog deserves better,” try shifting it to “my dog inspires me to keep getting better.” Your dog doesn’t wish for a different handler. They want you, the one who shows up, learns from mistakes, and enjoys the run.
🎧 Listen to this week’s episode: Episode 372: “My Dog Deserves Better”
Subscribe on iTunes, Follow on Spotify.
American Kennel Club ISC Championship Recap
The 2025 AKC International Sweepstakes Championship (ISCh) brought together some of the best teams in the United States for a weekend of international-style agility competition at the Williamson County AG Expo Park in Franklin, TN. Over two days, teams navigated a demanding five-round format culminating in the Finals (Round 5)—a single, high-stakes run that decided the International Sweepstakes Champions for each jump height.
Each champion earns the ISCH prefix title, a rosette, a championship bar (donated by MAD Agility), and an AKC medallion. These winners are automatically eligible for next year’s ISCh and receive byes into the 2026 AKC World Team Tryouts.
2025 Finals Winners
8″ – Jesse Westover & Finn (Papillon)
12″ – Angie Benacquisto & Sundae (All American Dog)
16″ – Carol Boggess & Iron Man (All American Dog)
20″ – Amber McCune & Typo (Border Collie)
24″ – Brenda Kelly & James (Border Collie)
Full results: https://akccompanionevents.com/index.php?eventSelected=International%20Sweepstakes%20Championship
Remember to send us a photo of your dog in costume! Email us at team@baddogagility.com.
Happy Trick or Treating,
