Canines In Motion

09/08/2025

“The most dangerous phrase is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’” ~ Grace Hopper

I’ve been thinking a lot about rigidity lately when it comes to dog training, and the power of equifinality: a concept in motor learning that recognizes there are multiple ways to achieve the same outcome.

This animation of sorting algorithms (via Toptal: https://www.toptal.com/developers/sorting-algorithms?) is the perfect metaphor: many different approaches, all leading to the same ordered outcome.

In training, dogs often show us when our own habits or assumptions don’t fit their needs. That’s not a flaw. It’s feedback. When we let go of “the way we’ve always done it,” we open space to — as my good friend and brilliant dog trainer, Meg Robinson Doherty, recently said so beautifully — become “the trainer they need, not the one we thought we had to be.”

Whether it’s dogs, undergrads, or agility students, good coaches celebrate their students’ strengths, meet learners where they are, and adapt the process to help them succeed.

That’s the power of equifinality. Learner-centred. Psychologically safe. Grounded in science.

08/25/2025

Mission accomplished: the summer of Kim. Ten new sport science posts, fresh perspectives, and a little space to remember why I love this work. 💛🐾

Here’s the recap: 👇

Back in May, I set out to define the Spring term as “the summer of Kim.” Thirteen weeks later, I found health, words, and a reminder of why I love sport and ...

08/18/2025

Do you need a coach?

Not always. But sometimes the right eyes, at the right time, make all the difference.

New post:

Even the most experienced agility teams sometimes need more than hard work to move forward. The right coach, whether for physical skills, mental prep, techni...

08/11/2025

Sad news from the CIM team today: a sudden injury on the weekend has taken Beacon off the competition path and onto the road of recovery. I’m gutted, and reminding myself that in sport, recovery isn’t downtime... it’s performance work.

In my latest Field Notes, I share how I’m approaching this pivot: using evidence to guide decisions, tracking data to feel more in control, finding the silver linings in small wins, and leaning on community when the going gets tough.

If you’ve been down this recovery path before, I’d love to hear what helped you most. Your best wishes and healing energy will also help B and me navigate this part of the journey, so it feels less sad and lonely. The science is clear: we heal better when we heal together. ❤️‍🩹🐾

A sudden injury this week forces an unplanned pivot. A raw reflection on recovery as performance, data as a lifeline, the quiet wins that still matter, and t...

08/06/2025

This week’s post is a little more reflective.

Not every run comes with a ribbon.
Not every ribbon tells the whole story.

There’s meaning in the trying,
value in the work no one sees,
and strength in the choice to keep showing up.

I wrote this for me.
But if you needed to hear this today, this one’s also for you. 💛🐾

The most meaningful wins don’t always show up on the scoreboard. Sometimes, they’re the ones only you can feel. This one was for me.

07/30/2025

Today's Regatta Day in St. John’s, the oldest annual sporting event in North America and the only civic holiday in Canada that depends entirely on the weather. 💨🌧️☀️

It’s a day that honours not just speed, but commitment: the early mornings, the rainy practices, and the months of preparation that make race day possible.

So it feels like the perfect time to share the third and final part of the Sticky Practice series:
https://caninesinmotion.com/2025/07/30/sticky-by-design-part-3/

This post is about turning patterns into progress, tracking what matters, noticing your training biases (whoops, teeter 🤦‍♀️), and designing smarter sessions that set your team up for the season and the years ahead.

Here’s to all the athletes putting in the sticky work, both on the water and in the ring. 🚣🐾💛

Tracking What Matters: How to Use Data to Make Better Agility Training Decisions Skills stick when we train with intention, and sometimes, that means zoomin...

07/21/2025

Sticky practice isn’t just about today’s reps.
It’s about building the kind of mastery that holds up, holds steady, and keeps evolving long after the course map changes.

In Part 2 of the Building Sticky Skills series, I've shared a practical, evidence-informed framework for designing agility sessions that stretch skills with purpose, feedback, and progressive challenge.

Whether you're coaching or training your own dog, my "Six Principles of Sticky Practice" will help you build the kind of real-world performance that shows up when it counts.

👉 Read the full post:

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...

07/12/2025

Vela turns 12 weeks today and she’s already reminding us of the things that matter most in training (and maybe life):

Be present.
Commit to the process.
Stay open to what’s offered.

Eyes up. Ears open. Heart in. 🤎✨

06/25/2025

I'm back to work after my European adventure to bring home Vela... and there’s something about starting fresh with a new teammate that makes you want to get the learning part right. 💛

What does the science actually say about how dogs (and handlers) build lasting skill?

In agility, we often fall back on the idea of muscle memory. But the truth is, muscles don’t store memories. Brains do.

Part 1 of this two-part series breaks down what research in motor learning and skill acquisition can teach us about repetition, variation, and why “polished” practice doesn’t always equal progress.

https://caninesinmotion.com/2025/06/25/how-to-practice-so-it-sticks-part-1/

(Stay tuned for Part 2, with real-world training strategies and session design tips coming soon.)

Muscle memory is a myth. And understanding how dogs (and handlers) actually learn can transform your training. This post unpacks the science behind lasting s...

06/06/2025

I spend a lot of time trying to bring out the best in my dog.

At one of last week’s convocation ceremonies, I was reminded of what that really means.

Dr. Brendan Paddick was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and shared this reminder:

“You don’t inspire your teammates by showing them how great you are. You inspire your teammates by showing them how great they are.”

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Because it’s true not only for people, but for our dogs too.

The best training isn’t about control or perfection. It’s about building confidence, earning trust, and helping your partner discover what they’re capable of.

Whether it’s at work, in the classroom, or on the agility field, the real magic happens when trust takes root and belief begins to grow.

06/02/2025

It’s easy to play it safe.
To stay where it’s comfortable, for us, and for our dogs.

But growth doesn’t happen in the safe zone. It happens when we stretch.
Not recklessly, but intentionally. Not to break, but to build.

I wrote this post as a reminder to trust the process, even when it’s messy. To train with courage, not fear. And to choose challenge, even when it comes with the risk of failure.

Because stretching — not snapping — is how we get stronger.

Read it here:

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.

05/28/2025

Not every session goes well. And when it doesn’t, it’s easy to spiral into doubt: about your plan, your handling, or your expectations.

But what matters most isn’t how well you perform when things go sideways. It's how you reset.

This week, I needed that reminder.
And as usual, it was Beacon who showed me the way back... steady, willing, and ready to try again.

What helps you shift your perspective? ✨