18 Mar From the Podium, to you: Claudia’s Agility Journey

It all started with a dream back in 2018, when my miniature schnauzer, Polly, and I stepped onto our very first agility course. Polly has always been full of personality—motivated by food, toys, and plenty of praise—which made training both fun and incredibly rewarding. But getting to the podium didn’t happen overnight. It took years of learning, growing, and building our partnership. By 2023, Polly became a regional champion, and for me, that achievement was a testament to what trust, consistency, and dedication can really accomplish.

In 2020, Mia, my border collie, joined the journey. She brought a whole new set of challenges and lessons. Building her confidence—especially in new environments and around other dogs—wasn’t quick or easy. It took about a year of focused work, with invaluable guidance from Aja Brown at Mutt Magic. Just as things were starting to click for us, an injury set us back. We had to pause, regroup, and rebuild. Two years later, we came back stronger, earning a second-place finish at an ISC trial in 2025. Now, we’re setting our sights on ISC courses and international competition in 2026.

And then there’s Canito, another miniature schnauzer who reminded me that the journey isn’t always about speed or ribbons. At seven years old, he struggled with leash reactivity, and working through that required patience, consistency, and a different kind of commitment. Through intentional retraining, we found our rhythm together. With Canito, success looked like calm walks and connection—and that’s just as meaningful.

The Agility program we’re brining to you is built on all of these experiences—the highs, the setbacks, and everything in between. It’s about resilience, growth, and the bond we build with our dogs. Whether we’re working on agility, confidence, or everyday life skills, I truly believe every dog deserves the opportunity to thrive and shine.

Looking forward to working with you soon!

Claudia