Muttz with Mannerz Canine Academy - All About Dog Agility with Special Guest Julia Luxemburger

All About Dog Agility with Special Guest Julia Luxemburger

03/14/23 • 19 min

Are you looking for a fun way to increase the bond with your dog?

In this Episode of the Muttz with MannerzTM Canine Academy Podcast, host Corey McCusker is joined by the Head Trainer at Uxbridge Canine Academy, Julia Luxemberger to discuss the sport of dog agility - what it is, how it began, and what the benefits are for you and your dog.

In this episode, Corey and Julia cover:

Julia’s journey to becoming a dog trainer and her extensive experience with agility.
How Corey and Julia connected and how they have worked together in the past.
What dog agility is and the history of how it became a sport.
Julia shares her experience and journey with dog agility.
Corey’s journey with agility and her two dogs that she previously did agility with.
How agility is something that can be done at any age or with any breed of dog, but there are some things to consider.
A new agility sport for older dogs and handlers called “Hoopers”.
The benefits of doing agility with your dog at any level, just for fun or in competition.
What you should know or consider if you are thinking of starting agility, or even competing.
Why it is important to have a foundation of obedience training before starting agility with your dog.
Since this is a sport, some of the things to consider adding to practice include warm-ups, cool-downs, and conditioning for you and your dog!
How you can get started with an agility class by contacting Muttz with Mannerz or Julia at the Uxbridge Canine Academy.
Some of the risks associated with this dog sport – like any other sport the main purpose is to have some fun!

Resources

Here is a video of the very first dog agility competition ever at Crufts in 1978. https://youtu.be/d2oB3pgWq_A

To get started in a Fun with Agility or other training classes offered by Muttz with Mannerz visit https://www.muttzwithmannerz.com/dog-training/classes

To learn more about Julia and the Uxbridge Canine Academy visit https://www.uxbridgecanineacademy.com/

Special Guest:
Julia Luxemberger , Head Trainer at Uxbridge Canine Academy

For as long as Julia can remember she had a passion for animals. She’s spent most of her life training animals in one way or another. During her childhood, she was involved in the equine industry, training, riding, and working with horses. This broadened her knowledge of behaviour and body language as a means of communication, not only with horses but with all animals - eventually leading her to a career in dog training.

She furthered her education at university, obtaining her Bachelor of Science in zoology. Following university, she became an ESL teacher to learn the tools used to educate people. After having a good basis in teaching, she continued her education and became a certified dog trainer through Animal Behaviour College. She founded Uxbridge Canine Academy 2020 (formerly D-Lux Canine Training Academy founded in 2017) and has been teaching her clients how to build a lasting bond with their canine companions ever since.

Julia is a member of several associations including

Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers,
Agility Association of Canada
UK Agility International
Canadian Association of Rally Obedience

Julia competes regularly in Rally Obedience and Agility with her Border Collie, Aspen. Julia was the 2019 and 2021 West Regional Champions in the 24' division and placed 9th at the National Championships in 2019. She was also an alternate for the IFCS, Canadian National Agility Team in 2022. Julia is currently working towards becoming an AAC judge and has taken on the role of Regional Director for Ontario West through the Agility Association of Canada.

Your Host:

Corey McCusker, Canine Coach

Corey’s passion for helping humans and dogs excel led her to take a leap of faith after 22 years working in the Financial Industry to leave her corporate job in 2006 and start two companies. Corey is a Coach at heart and works with business leaders and high-performance teams, but her true passion has always been canines. She now has created a career that supports both.

Corey founded Muttz with Mannerz in 2006. Her foundation of knowledge which includes being a Senior Manager, Dog Trainer, Vet Assistant, World Tour Lead, and Mental Performance Coach helped her to launch the Canine Academy. The purpose of...

Are you looking for a fun way to increase the bond with your dog?

In this episode, Corey and Julia cover:

Julia’s journey to becoming a dog trainer and her extensive experience with agility.
How Corey and Julia connected and how they have worked together in the past.
What dog agility is and the history of how it became a sport.
Julia shares her experience and journey with dog agility.
Corey’s journey with agility and her two dogs that she previously did agility with.
How agility is something that can be done at any age or with any breed of dog, but there are some things to consider.
A new agility sport for older dogs and handlers called “Hoopers”.
The benefits of doing agility with your dog at any level, just for fun or in competition.
What you should know or consider if you are thinking of starting agility, or even competing.
Why it is important to have a foundation of obedience training before starting agility with your dog.
Since this is a sport, some of the things to consider adding to practice include warm-ups, cool-downs, and conditioning for you and your dog!
How you can get started with an agility class by contacting Muttz with Mannerz or Julia at the Uxbridge Canine Academy.
Some of the risks associated with this dog sport – like any other sport the main purpose is to have some fun!

Resources

Here is a video of the very first dog agility competition ever at Crufts in 1978. https://youtu.be/d2oB3pgWq_A

To get started in a Fun with Agility or other training classes offered by Muttz with Mannerz visit https://www.muttzwithmannerz.com/dog-training/classes

To learn more about Julia and the Uxbridge Canine Academy visit https://www.uxbridgecanineacademy.com/

Special Guest:
Julia Luxemberger , Head Trainer at Uxbridge Canine Academy

Julia is a member of several associations including

Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers,
Agility Association of Canada
UK Agility International
Canadian Association of Rally Obedience

Your Host:

Corey McCusker, Canine Coach

Previous Episode

The Three D’s of Dog Training

February is National Dog Training Education Month and we want to share with you the Three D’s of Dog Training. Does your dog sit perfectly at home, but when you are at the pet store acts like it has never heard that command before? Does your dog know their basic commands at class but you are you struggling at home or in the park?

In this Episode of the Muttz with MannerzTM Canine Academy Podcast, co-hosts Corey McCusker and Diane Purser share with you the Three D’s of Dog Training. Focusing on these three D’s will help you be confident that your dog will be able to consistently perform almost every behaviour taught under any circumstances.

In this episode, Corey and Diane cover:

What the Three D’s are, why they are important, and how, as you increase them, it can be more of a challenge for your dog.
Duration: This is the length of time your dog can maintain a behaviour, and why certain behaviours may not have a duration component.
The use of rewards when increasing duration and how the timing of those rewards is crucial.
The second D Distance: How far we are away from our dog while they hold a position.
Some tips on how to effectively reward them while increasing the distance you are away.
The final and most difficult D Distraction: Whatever else is going around your dog that might distract them while they are doing a behaviour.
Why practicing with distractions is so important and some places you can go to do that.
How to work with the three D’s in your dog training and how they build on each other.

Your Hosts:

Corey McCusker, Canine Coach

Corey believes in giving back to the community. Over many years she has volunteered at the Toronto Humane Society and the OSPCA and is also proud to be an evaluator for St. John Ambulance Dog Therapy Program. She held the position of Director of Communications on the board for the Canadian Association for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives from 2017-2019. She has been active with Markham Fair and been a Team Captain and on the Executive for Stouffville Ladies Floor Hockey League for over 15 years.

Corey has made Stouffville her home for the last 18 years and shares it with Mike, her partner, two stepdaughters, Karla and Alison, and their two energetic kittens, Dino and Demi. Over the years Corey has been fortunate to be blessed to share her life with 6 wonderful canines, Tilley (Miniature Dachshund), Tiny, Kira (Great Danes), Fred (Maltese), Charlie (Morkie), and Cleo (Miniature Poodle). Corey and Mike welcomed their new puppy, Skye, a rescue Muttz from Manitoba reserves into their home in June. 2021. They have big hopes for her and look forward to Skye filling their lives with joy and being an active member of Team Muttz.
Diane Purser, Canine Educator

Diane has had a lifelong love of animals and knew at some point she would enter the world of Animal Welfare, specifically around Companion Animals. After a long career, Diane was able to leave the corporate world in 2004 and decided to immerse herself in dogs, animal welfare, and humane education. Her experience both corporately and personally allowed her to bring extensive knowledge in marketing, education, fundraising, and event coordination to her new career.

Over the last 15+ years, Diane has held positions in Community Education with the OSPCA, St. John Ambulance Dog Therapy Program as a Dog Handler and Evaluator, plus various roles (including Board member) with Pugalug Pug Rescue.

Diane’s passion for education has been fueled by her extensive involvement with the OSPCA Youth and Pets Program, Pet Ownership Responsibility, and collaboration with St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Bite Prevention Program. Her mission is to help future, current, and new dog owners have loving and fulfilling lifelong relationships with their dogs.

Diane’s skills are a perfect match for Muttz with MannerzTM. She collaborates with Corey on delivering educational...

Next Episode

Follow Your Nose - The Fun of Scent Detection with Special Guest Barbara Rogina

Does your dog love to sniff? Take advantage of the natural instinct your dog has to follow their nose to have some fun and great bonding time too!

In this Episode of the Muttz with MannerzTM Canine Academy Podcast, host Corey McCusker is joined by Muttz with MannerzTM trainer, Barbara Rogina to discuss Scent Detection – what it is and why it is so much fun!

In this episode, Corey and Barbara cover:

Who Barbara is and the classes she teaches at Muttz with MannerzTM
What scent detection is and how it became a sport.
Why Barbara first got interested in scent detection and how her dog, Hunter encouraged her to keep going.
Corey’s experience with scent detection, as her agility dog, Cleo began to age.
What type of dog and what the recommended age is to get started in scent detection.
The many benefits of involving your dog in scent detection.
The certifications that are available and what's involved if you did want to get a certification.
What the risks of getting involved in scent detection are and some recommendations if you have a reactive dog.

Resources

To get started in a Fun with Scenting or other training classes offered by Muttz with Mannerz visit https://www.muttzwithmannerz.com/dog-training/classes
Sporting Detection Dogs Association (SDDA): www.sportingdetectiondogs.ca

Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers: www.capdt.ca

Special Guest:
Barbara Rogina, Canine Coach

Barbara brings another dynamic to our team as she is a teacher and trainer of both humans and canines. Barbara has been teaching dog obedience classes for the past 10 years with Muttz with MannerzTM with a focus on puppy manners, fun with scenting and fun with agility. She is also a yoga instructor qualified to teach various types of yoga. Barbara has expanded her knowledge of pet care in her role as a part-time receptionist at the Stouffville Vet Clinic.

Barbara, like so many of the Muttz with Mannerz team, believes in giving back and is a member of the St. John Ambulance Dog Therapy program where she dedicates many hours visiting hospitals, retirement homes and high schools with Hunter, her four-legged son. Hunter’s calm, kind, enthusiastic personality bring joy to all he meets. Barbara has just adopted another boy from Speaking of Dogs Rescue, Baxter an adorable miniature poodle with a feisty personality who we know will be a future star team on our team.

Barbara continues educating herself by taking courses and training in the pet care. She has taken “Introduction to Acupressure for small animals”. She is currently enrolled in a “Dog massage” course to expand her knowledge on what she delivers. We are excited that she offers new programs such as DOGA; bring your dogs to yoga, and Scenting courses.

Your Host:
Corey McCusker, Canine Coach