Even the most experienced agility teams sometimes need more than hard work to move forward. The right coach, whether for physical skills, mental prep, technical execution, or tactical decisions, can help you break through plateaus. This post explores how to know when it’s time to seek help, what kind of expertise might make the difference, and how to choose a coach who’s the right fit for your goals.
Tracking What Matters: How to Use Data to Make Better Agility Training Decisions Skills stick when we train with intention, and sometimes, that means zooming out. This post explores how simple tracking tools can help you recognize when a skill is ready to progress, catch training biases before they stall your growth, and plan smarter across training blocks and seasons. You don’t need fancy tech, just a clear structure, a little reflection, and the courage to adjust with purpose.
Want your training to actually stick? This follow-up to How to Practice so it Sticks (Part 1) turns the science of skill learning into action. From discovery-based sessions to challenge design and co-regulation, these six principles will help you build fluency, flexibility, and transfer. The kind of real-world performance that shows up when it counts.
Muscle memory is a myth. And understanding how dogs (and handlers) actually learn can transform your training. This post unpacks the science behind lasting skill, from the power of deliberate practice to the role of variability, spacing, and real-time problem-solving in agility. It’s the first in a two-part series on training for real-world performance, not just polished practice.
Training isn’t about perfection. It’s where we stretch, stumble, and grow. This post explores five science-backed reasons to challenge yourself in practice, and how to stay in the learning zone without snapping under pressure.
What if the fastest way to improve agility performance isn’t more reps—but better ones? Learn how speed and accuracy interact in canine skill development.
Sport science isn’t a method — it’s a mindset. In this post, I explore how a high-performance coaching model shaped my approach to training and why I believe it’s time to bring science and sport together for the dogs we love.
A collection of reflections, research takeaways, and movement insights from the world of canine sport.
Authored by Kim Cullen and guest contributors, Field Notes bridges the space between science and day-to-day practice. One post at a time.