Before The Q

a continuation from part one,I hope you enjoy our conversation.

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More from Grace
Hounds of Heck Dog Training
Hounds of Heck | Facebook

Grace Heck and I sit down and talk about training plans and how to formulate good ones.  This episode is packed with great info so much so I had to split it into two parts.

Grace shares some huge news at the end of the episode check out more from Grace here:
Hounds of Heck Dog Training 
Hounds of Heck | Facebook

EARS UP mindset summit fill out the google form here: https://forms.gle/o7TrKgJsgr1ah6Kx8

A big thank you for sponsoring this episode goes out to the CPCFT program check them out here  Home - Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer

Sharing my personal journey related to mindset goals and progress.

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Podcasts - Sarah Stremming, Cog Dog Coach

This week Anna Hinze of Agility Campus and I sit down and have a conversation about trial readiness. There is a lot that goes into getting a dog ready to trial and a lot that goes into ensuring behaviors can hold up in the environment. There are some really great tips in this episode I hope you enjoy it.  

Anna's Newsletter signup : https://landing.agilitycampus.com/newsletter/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/agilitycampus?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

 Home - Certified Professional Ca...

In this episode, Rose chats with Fanny Gott about the importance of verbal cues in agility training, focusing on the metaphor of cues as green lights. They explore how to train effective verbal cues, the role of handling, and strategies to improve communication with dogs during competitions.

Fanny Gott instagram  

Home - The Agility Connection membership site SIGN UP here and let Fanny know I sent you! 

Agility Connection Instagram

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 In this episode, Rose shares her personal journey of staying motivated and improving in agility training despite limited access to coursework due to her remote location and weather challenges. She discusses mindset strategies, the importance of intentional training, and how to make progress with what you have.

Agility Odyssey - sign up for Sarah's emails here! 

https://www.instagram.com/before.the.q?igsh=cGp2em9lbXlwdHR2&utm_source=qr  - it would sure be cool if you could give me a follow here! 

In this episode, Kale McCann shares her extensive experience in agility, focusing on training philosophies, reward placement strategies, and building strong dog-handler relationships. Discover practical tips to enhance your training!

McCann Dogs Agility

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2faAHEvCRf1dDtpCntA1Mu?si=813bb3ea61d14b32 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/McCannDogsAgility

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/mccanndogsagility/

Online Training: www.Patreon.com/McCannDogs

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/McCannDogsAgility

McCann Dog Training 

YouTube: https://ww...

Rose shares her personal journey and insights on how to show up as the handler and trainer that your dog needs, especially during challenging moments in agility training and competitions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your dog's communication, adjusting training strategies, and maintaining a curious, supportive mindset

In this episode, Rose chats with good friend of the podcast Lynna. They explore the unique challenges and triumphs of training a non-traditional agility dog, emphasizing the importance of building confidence, understanding canine behavior, and redefining success in the sport. Lynna shares valuable insights on the significance of reinforcement, the emotional dynamics of training, and the life lessons learned through their partnership. This episode is a testament to the joy and connection that can be fostered through patience and understanding. Also I kind of cant believe I have done 20 episodes! Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode...

It’s the one-year anniversary of Before the Q!
To celebrate, Rose is joined by coaches, mentors, and friends Megan Foster and Sarah Espinoza-Sokal for an in-depth, practical conversation about errorless learning—what it really means, how it shows up in real agility training, and why it can be such a powerful framework in a fast, high-arousal sport.

Megan Foster
Agility coach, trainer, and host of Fostering Excellence in Agility. Megan brings decades of experience and a deep focus on clarity, connection, and clean reinforcement.
Home - Fostering Excellence in Agility

Sara...

Rose is joined by Grace Heck owner of Hounds of Heck—for a deep, honest conversation about mindset, process, and what success in agility really looks like.

Grace shares her philosophy of process over results and why focusing solely on Qs and ribbons can actually hold teams back. Together, Rose and Grace unpack what it means to play the long game in agility—from handling pressure at the start line, to building trust with your dog, to redefining success even when the run doesn’t go clean on paper.

Before the Q Landing Page — Hounds o...

In this episode of Before the Q, Rose reflects on her journey in podcasting, the importance of community support, and setting goals for the new year. She shares her excitement about upcoming projects, including a vlog and fundraising efforts, while encouraging listeners to reflect on the gifts that agility has brought to their lives. The episode wraps up with a call for listener engagement and a preview of future content.

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Before The Q / Swag for Organizations | Need Some Sun - support the pod order a T SHIRT

In this episode of Before the Q, host Rose speaks with agility trainer Dave Munnings about the importance of fun in dog training, understanding errors, and adapting training methods to the individual dog. Dave shares his journey into agility, discusses common errors in training, and emphasizes the significance of building a strong relationship with dogs. The conversation also touches on the transition to online training and future projects in the agility community.

Check out Q-me agility Welcome to Q-Me Agility

before the Q Vlog first installment - https://youtu.be/HWS6HMJ4Vjc?si=U4...

Laura Waudby and I discuss the concept of preplaced rewards in dog training, particularly in agility. They explore the importance of curiosity in training, the role of reward placement, and common mistakes trainers make. Laura shares insights on how to effectively implement preplaced rewards, the significance of foundational training, and real-life applications of these techniques. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear communication with dogs and the benefits of using preplaced rewards to enhance training outcomes.

Laura's recent blog post Rethinking Sends in Agility
Bye Bye cookie class sign up here:  Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - F...

In this solo episode, Rose sits down with her coffee to unpack a few thoughts. From a recent adventure with Levi and Norbert to the internet’s latest debates on training methods, Rose opens up about cue-chasing, values-based training, and why joy should lead the way — even when the online chatter gets loud.

She talks about reinforcement, aversives, and the four quadrants, and why it’s always okay to ask questions or advocate for your dog in class. Rose also dives into how to evaluate potential trainers, the importance of checking in on your own comfort, and recogn...

In this episode, I dive into one of my absolute favorite Agility Adjacent Skills — the Down Stay!

We often think of the Down Stay as a calm, quiet exercise… but it can actually be one of the most essential skills your agility dog learns. A strong Down Stay builds confidence, self-control, and focus — all the ingredients for brilliant performance in the ring!

In this episode of Before the Q, host Rose Cybulski speaks with canine fitness experts Tara Monahan and Dr. Deb Torraca about the critical role of fitness in agility training. They discuss the importance of building a strong foundation for dogs, the concepts of proprioception and body awareness, common mistakes handlers make in fitness training. The conversation also covers the significance of warm-ups and the use of equipment in canine fitness. 

Find a CPCFT - Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer

Wizard of Paws Physical Rehabilitation for Animals, Deborah Gross, Canine Physical Assessment, Get On The B...

In this episode I chat with the amazing Shade Whitesel,  we get a peek into her Journey as a dog trainer. Shade helps teams build better, stronger, clearer reinforcement systems especially around toys.  This episode focuses on the benifits of using toys as reinforcement, differences between food and toy rewards, and common challenges faced by handlers when introducing toys to their dogs. Shade shares insights and a number of awesome training tips. I hope you enjoy this episode I sure did!! 

How to connect with Shade:

Shade Whitesel Dog Training | Seattle WA   
Lo...

In this episode, we chat with Hélène Lawler about her journey into dog training and dive deep into the power of mindset. What is mindset, really—and how can it help or hinder us in agility? This episode covers common struggles handlers face, the connection between emotions and performance, and practical strategies for building mental resilience. Listeners are encouraged to recognize their own beliefs and emotions, and how these can shape their experiences in dog sports.

How to connect with Hélène:

Hélène Lawler Coaching...

Laura Waudby shares her journey into agility, discussing her experiences with different breeds and the challenges of training. She emphasizes the importance of building confidence in dogs, understanding their stress responses in competition settings, and practical tips for trial preparation.

SIGN UP for Laura's ring confidence course HERE Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - OB160: Ring Confidence for Obedience, Rally, and Agility - working spots fill up fast! 

Ring Confidence for Dog Sports with Laura Waudby | Facebook I highly suggest joining this group if you are on Facebook!!!! So many GEMS and solid training videos a...

In this episode I talk about the concept of loopy training, a method that emphasizes the importance of creating clean, predictable training loops for dogs. I discuss the significance of reinforcement, transport behaviors, and the role of engagement in shaping behaviors. Throughout the episode, I share personal experiences and insights, and the impact of clarity and planning in dog training.

Links and related podcast episode suggestions as promised (I stuck with one episode per podcast to not overwhelm!)

Alexandra kurland - 

https://www.equiosity.com

I suggest episode 12 l...

In this episode, we're diving into one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—aspects of canine agility: engagement. Whether you're stepping to the line with a young pup or refining skills with a seasoned agility partner, the concept of "opting in" is key to success!

Joining Rose today is the incredible Megan Foster, renowned agility competitor, respected trainer, and the mind behind Fostering Excellence in Agility. Megan brings a wealth of experience to the conversation as she unpacks what engagement really means, why it matters so much, and how handlers can build it consistently and sustainably.

What does it really take to build a successful agility team with your dog? In this episode, Rose is joined by Sarah Espinoza-Sokal, an experienced agility trainer and coach, to break down the core foundation skills every agility team needs—to have a successful training journey.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your current training, Sarah shares invaluable insights into the building blocks of agility success, from engagement and focus to communication and trust. We dive into the "why" behind foundational work and how investing in relationship-building can elevate your training—and your bond—w...

In this episode I have my first guest, good friend of the podcast Stefanie Theis. Stephanie is an experienced agility competitor, coach, and canine enthusiast. We talk all about visualization, overcoming challenges and she gives some great insights to help up your visualization game. 

I hope you enjoy it! 

How to connect with Stefanie :

K9 Nut, LLC | Nurturing Unique Training

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Aec1Ca5Hb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

this is a link to On form app I talked about! Onform | Sports Video Analysis App & Coaching Platform 

give me a follow on social media and let me know what you thought of the episode!

Thank you for listening. 

Effective video is not hard to get but these tips will make it even easier! 

Best episode yet. I wish I had invested more time into my part in agility sooner. I hope you enjoy the episode! Thank you for listening.

Meet Rose and her dogs!