When Cathy first stepped into the world of agility, she wasn’t chasing ribbons or national titles. She just wanted to help her dog Lola, a sensitive 3-year-old American Eskimo Dog (Eskie Spitz), feel more confident in the world around her.
Fast forward a few years, and now Cathy is running two dogs: Lola (now 7) and Harley, her energetic Mini American Shepherd. Like many dog lovers, she started agility as a fun way to bond with her dog, not expecting it to become such a big part of her life.
But as her journey progressed, something was missing.
Struggling with the human side of the team
Cathy had tried both in-person and online classes. The dogs were learning, but she kept bumping into the same frustrating problem: her own handling and timing. She knew what she wanted to do on course, but translating that into clear communication for her dogs felt like a puzzle she couldn’t quite solve.
And that’s when she found OneMind Dogs.
A platform made for real-life dog people
“First of all I absolutely love how easy their website is to navigate through.” Cathy says, ” You can easily find everything you’ve ever wanted to learn on one platform. Their videos are easy to follow, no nonsense just step by step and straightforward.“
For busy dog owners juggling training, work, and life, that ease of use matters. Whether you want to learn the basics of agility handling or troubleshoot a specific challenge, everything is laid out in a step-by-step format. No fluff, just clarity.
And it’s not just for elite competitors. Cathy’s story shows that you don’t need to be chasing medals to benefit from the OneMind Dogs method. You just need a love for your dog and a willingness to learn together.
A-ha moments and relatable learning
Her lightbulb moment came while watching one of the most basic, but powerful, techniques: the Front Cross.
“I also finally had my a-ha moment when watching the how to do a Front Cross video! So basic but I was doing it all wrong till now! ” she admits.
It’s those little details, the ones that make a world of difference to your dog, that OneMind Dogs teaches so well. Every video is grounded in the dog’s perspective, helping handlers like Cathy understand why a technique works, not just how to do it.
Learning from real handlers, just like you
Another highlight for Cathy? The International Training Week video series.
She loves watching everyday handlers work through real challenges, just like the ones she faces at home or in class. “I absolutely love the International training week series and there are so many moments where I can relate to the handlers’ mistakes and see what I can do to fix them.” she says.
It’s that mix of education and empathy, knowing you’re not alone in your struggles, that makes these videos so impactful.
Support that builds your confidence too
One of the biggest breakthroughs for Cathy came when she submitted a video for feedback and received a personalized review from a OneMind Dogs coach.
“I got my first video review too which was just amazing to have step by step encouraging feedback!” she shares. “I’m just blown away with this program and can’t wait to see how far this can take us!”
That’s the heart of the OneMind Dogs approach: helping you become the best teammate for your dog, no matter your starting point.
Progress, not perfection
Cathy’s not claiming to have it all figured out—but she’s finally starting to feel things click. With the support of her in-person trainers and the OneMind Dogs coaching team, she’s more hopeful than ever.
“I still have so much to learn,” she says, “but I finally believe we can do this. One day, I hope to make it to nationals, or at least get an invitation!”
And even if that goal changes, one thing’s for sure: Cathy, Lola, and Harley are having fun, learning together, and moving forward, at their own pace.
Thinking of trying OneMind Dogs?
If you’re like Cathy, navigating the ups and downs of agility, wanting to understand your dog better, and dreaming of smoother teamwork, you might just find what you’ve been missing here too.
You don’t need to have a high-drive Border Collie or plans to compete at a world championship. You just need a dog you love, and the desire to learn something new together.
Start exploring today and discover just how far you and your dog can go with the right support by your side.
