Case Study: Success with the Dog – Bad Dog Agility Academy

Case Study: Success with the Dog

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  • Sheena says:
    July 14, 2026 at 6:24 am

    July 13/26 practice. I’m not sure I’m making any consistent headway with things, but yesterday morning session felt nice overall ☺️

    https://youtu.be/NSZR4WXfQbA?si=WKcmbpKBoNgmRbM8

    • Sarah Fernandezlopez says:
      July 14, 2026 at 10:34 am

      This was soooo much better than where you started! The rebites were excellent. You can start mixing in SOME impulse control where you don’t give the IMMEDIATE rebite and they have to wait for the “get it” cue. But more than half of releases should be immediate rebites to keep that release crisp.

      I noticed you DIDN’T ask for a release when you took a pause (you let them drop it naturally and said all done – at least I think that’s what happened). I would still use your release there, THEN you can say all done. Release means release, it doesn’t mean release and rebite. So you should use that cue when you want the dog to release the toy pretty much from now on. As long as you have MORE rebites than “all done”s, then your dog should still be pretty happy to release on cue. The rebites are what buy you the “all done”s. 🙂

      • Sheena says:
        July 14, 2026 at 3:38 pm

        Perfect, I’ll keep at it , thanks (: He really does just let go a lot. Your suggestion in another video to ask for the drop it before he does let it go is something I’m trying hard to be more mindful of moving forward (: (: (:

        • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
          July 22, 2026 at 7:44 pm

          Great job! I want you to add your “get it” cue which I’ve heard you say “bite”, but whatever it is, use it because at the moment, the dog is going almost exclusively on body language. Overall, I think the dog is tugging well and you’re ready to have a good system of bite/release/re-bite and then developing the retrieve. Using bite/re-bite can actually increase the tug drive.

  • Sheena says:
    June 26, 2026 at 2:44 pm

    https://youtu.be/31K3F3G6XEU?si=tzbDLNfgo76tvL4C

    Our first attempt at this , I’ll try again tonight to do better ☺️ Thanks in advance #askacoach

    • Sheena says:
      June 29, 2026 at 6:20 am

      #askacoach
      2nd attempt at the game first attempt is original post (:
      He really doesn’t seem to like being pushed , so I played in first attempt pushing chest, and this time after watching your video again , tried just shoving toy back.
      He definitely develops a preference for one toy over other.
      Thanks in advance for your help !

    • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
      July 1, 2026 at 11:00 pm

      Great job on this one! There’s a good push back into the chest, and a good tug where you have both hands on the toy. Lower the toy when tugging, video feedback here: https://link.getonform.com/view?id=CV2AUYSN2qfILwQzibG3

      • Sheena says:
        July 2, 2026 at 1:30 pm

        Thank you ! Mako really does enjoy the chase over the bite/tug. But I’ve been trying (: Part of the way I tug is just from me trying to watch him and do what I think he likes, sometimes he weight shifts back lovely , sometimes not , and he just lets go super easy.
        This video was from this morning before I noticed my feedback (: I tried with two of the same toys, and less dangly ones. Session was still so long even though I was sure I was keeping it short. I’m doing my drop and immediate rebites as directed, I hope this may have been slightly better , I will pay more attention to what you have noted in my feedback and try again tomorrow (:
        I care and appreciate this very much, please keep calling me out on things if I’m still not getting it right (: I’ll get better (:

        https://youtu.be/IOOGIOpq2E0?si=czRCBSyH-QSANVmn

        • Sheena says:
          July 4, 2026 at 7:11 am

          This morning July 3 session after trying to implement feedback…. I would normally not even want to show how badly I mess up , but I do think this was a good example of how I function in my efforts lol.

          … I am a little concerned that I’m trying too hard ): I’m hopeful that my positive attitude will outweigh any errors I’m making I guess.
          Maybe I should submit a video of us Playing with zero attempt at improving anything, just how I rolled previous to my efforts being made to do better ?? Would it help you help you help us possibly?
          This is STILL took loonng…… I have such a hard time ending before I feel successful in some way ):

          Thanks in advance ! Appreciate all of this !!!!!
          https://youtu.be/PvwzwsoMIQY?si=9z4tzF0b1MYxx3MK

          • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
            July 22, 2026 at 7:38 pm

            Here’s feedback for the other video, again, great job, and I like this video because it helps us clarify what we should be saying, and when. You’re very close to perfect performance! https://link.getonform.com/view?id=eAdauD2p448KgLEMEJtH

          • Sheena says:
            July 24, 2026 at 11:31 am

            Thank you for the amazing feedback. I chatter alot , and even though I know better , and want to be clear, I muddle everything up very well ):
            YIP- food toss reward.
            Gooood- food to mouth stationery or calm reward.

            YES- Marker cue and also toy reward …. Oops … No wonder you were confused…. So was I.
            Get it- tossed toy, or dragging toy
            BITE- toy in my hand and tug
            Take – my cue for allowing dog to take off ( use in frisbee with great understanding from him somehow lol)
            I try, and know better, but I NEED to DO Better 💕
            My ” fine sir” is a half assed interrupter type call ……
            His recall immediately and fast that I protect like gold is a long drawn out MMMMMMmmmaaakkkooo
            His call for general yard meanderings , play etc. that I also protect , is the baby shark song.
            I try , I hate that I am not clearer and more careful. Please call me out on this , it’s appropriated very much (:

          • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
            July 28, 2026 at 12:54 am

            Thank you! Every system of cueing is individual to the dog-handler team, be as consistent as you can but mistakes happen and that’s ok. Your dog may not be understanding what you think they are, but if you clean up your verbals, it will simplify the system for the dog, and for you!

          • Sheena says:
            July 28, 2026 at 1:49 pm

            Ouu, I’m not pleased with this session, but I did focus on trying to mark earlier , move back, stay low, keep quieter if not tugging, be clear with my yes marker, bite cue and get it cue …and keep session shorter lol. Not feeling successful in any of these respects lol, but I am trying and want to keep submitting video to hold myself accountable (:

            https://youtu.be/NlPQY-TZCEo?si=5LHgEYIJgldnRNGD

          • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
            July 30, 2026 at 12:35 am

            Outstanding work! You know what you’re looking for now, because I agree with you, after saying “yes” you should immediately provide your bite cue and give a low presentation of the toy. I think you can also push back against him a little more gently and see if this helps him spring back against you with more confidence.

          • Sheena says:
            August 21, 2026 at 5:33 pm

            Tonight I’m at a motel for a flyball tournament ( we aren’t racing yet, just experience and help my club)…

            Decided to try in a new place…. I’ll be honest I didn’t focus on anything… Wanted to send along as a good example of where we are , knowing I want us to be better 💕 But also proud of my boy (:

            https://youtu.be/N8PDGs3sxiM?si=Y000X5ZDwJufvuRT

          • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
            August 31, 2026 at 11:16 pm

            This was OUTSTANDING!! Great job!!! Keep focusing on your verbal cues in terms of consistency, but this is the enthusiasm and style we want to see from our dogs especially in new places. Try this out everywhere when he’s freshest and most eager to work, then you can transition to food stuff or play or relaxing or meeting people, etc. Nice work!

        • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
          July 22, 2026 at 7:25 pm

          Outstanding work!! https://link.getonform.com/view?id=jEJFSSL6QH5aaGCwZbS9

  • brandy479 says:
    May 19, 2026 at 8:10 pm

    First time trying this exercise. My 1 yr old pup has found the new habit of running away and playing catch me if you can anytime theres a toy available. It went OK but not great. Interested in your feedback
    https://youtu.be/mF_O-HPld4U?si=vrguHDESB3GN_Dei

  • spookywanluke says:
    January 21, 2025 at 7:53 am

    How it started, how the session went and how it ended…
    Not the best 🤷‍♀️

    https://youtu.be/KrxV0yL0cBo

  • L. Michelle says:
    January 22, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    This is my second dog who is an avid tugger – but also loves to run away with the toy. I tried the opposition reflex here and she ran away anyways. Any thoughts? https://youtu.be/YEUrKd3jtRk

  • janetandzinnie says:
    May 18, 2021 at 8:52 am

    I have a few marker words, all of which except one mean she is getting food. The one that means toy is a thrown toy (at this point, a lotus ball with food inside). I am not sure what marker word to use for this exercise.

    • Sarah Fernandezlopez says:
      May 18, 2021 at 9:23 am

      For ME, “get it” is permission to grab the toy. Whether that toy is on the ground, or presented in my hand.

      So for you, you could be the same marker that means she can get the thrown toy. Or you can introduce a new one.

      Have you done any “enticement”?
      https://baddogagilityacademy.com/course/complete-guide-to-tugging/module-3/how-to-entice-your-dog-to-chase-the-toy/

      What marker would you use for something like that?

      • janetandzinnie says:
        May 20, 2021 at 9:12 am

        yes I have, and I use “get it”. So that is what I will do, thanks!

        • janetandzinnie says:
          May 20, 2021 at 9:15 am

          sorry, I went back to review the video on using the opposition reflex, and re-heard that I am supposed to use the marker word before presenting the toy. Is “get it” still appropriate? thanks again

          • Sarah Fernandezlopez says:
            May 20, 2021 at 9:29 am

            Ok – so in this case we use a marker word that simply means “you were correct” – the equivalent of a click. That’s the “yes”. That happens before presenting the toy, then we give our “get it” cue as we present the toy. That is permission to grab the toy, but, of course, that “get it” also functions as a marker since they love to tug, so they are very happy to hear that “get it” cue.

            This wasn’t as clear in the voiceover, Esteban said to “mark” then “present the toy”, but we do always include the cue “get it” when we present the toy and you can hear the sequence at the end when it’s played in real time.

            So do you have a marker that is the equivalent of a click? You can think of it as you are marking as correct the bounce back toward you. And the reward for bouncing back toward you is a high value cue “get it” and then ensuing tug.

          • janetandzinnie says:
            May 25, 2021 at 9:25 am

            I do have a marker word, which means she is getting food – so I could say “yep”, give her the treat, then say “get it” and present the toy?

          • Sarah Fernandezlopez says:
            May 25, 2021 at 10:37 am

            You could – but I prefer to keep food out of tug training when possible. Lots of dogs that struggle with tug have a preference for food. Once the food is available, they no longer want to tug as much. So switching between food and toys is really an advanced skill.

            Of course, you can train tugging as a BEHAVIOR rather than as a REWARD. But I like to reserve that as last resort.

            https://baddogagilityacademy.com/course/complete-guide-to-tugging/module-2/what-about-food-toys/

            I think before I added food to the mix, I would try just dropping the “yes” marker and letting the “get it” function as the marker and cue.

  • joseph.sheedy@verizon.net says:
    May 15, 2020 at 7:09 am

    We have been playing around with the retrieve game a bit. I have attached a clip from our outside practice. I try to make both toys the kind he likes. I am rather awkward with the mechanics and timing but will continue to work on that. I also am chattering a bit here. You will see at the end where he starts to rip at the toy but changes his mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwwYLyrSBUc

    The questions I have today are:
    1. During a previous session he insisted on having 1 toy over the other. How should I handle that?
    2. Would it be better to work on the retrieve indoors until more proficient and then go outside?

    • Esteban Fernandezlopez says:
      May 16, 2020 at 10:38 pm

      GREAT JOB!!
      #1 Tug with the lower value toy, so when you let go and mark and present the second toy, he is more likely to come, as you are holding the higher value toy.
      #2 I think you’re fine to work outdoors.

      Tips for success: Once you’ve said “yes!” you can and should immediately present the toy, shake it around, whatever you want. Just make sure the yes comes before you whip the toy out, but whip it out right away!! It’s not luring because the “yes!” has already been said, so the proper behavior has been marked, so you don’t have to wait for him to come to you…that’s not the behavior we’re marking. Go ahead and repeat the exercise a few times, with maybe 3-4 of these per session, keep it high energy, and this time, present the toy and move backward (without yanking him by the leash) as soon as you say “yes!” which should be almost right away as you push into him a bit. Go ahead and push a little more gently as well, just in case that is throwing him off a bit (I think he’s ok though).

  • cynthia says:
    May 5, 2020 at 7:16 pm

    Well done Susan–thank you for the demo. This is brilliant.

  • Judi says:
    March 7, 2020 at 3:45 pm

    Nice!

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