Show Notes
In this episode, I sit down with my wife, Natalia Balabanov, to talk about the unique world of living, training, and competing together at the top level of dog sports. We dive into what it’s really like to share the same passion, the same goals, and sometimes the same pressure — while balancing the roles of coach, trainer, and spouse.
From the intensity of competition to the daily grind of training plans and long-term goals, we talk openly about teamwork, communication, and how we handle the challenges that come with working side by side. We also explore what it takes to stay motivated, support each other, and keep improving when you’re both aiming to be the best in the world.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to mix love, sport, and ambition — this one’s for you.
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In this episode, Chad Hunter, Karly, and I discuss one of the most remarkable achievements in French Ring history. Just weeks ago, Karly and Chad travelled to France and competed against the best teams in the sport. When the competition was over, she and her dog Maestro had achieved the highest score of the event, something no foreign competitor had ever done before. Although the official French Championship title and trophy were awarded to the highest ranking French competitor, Karly finished the competition with the top score overall, making history as the first non-French competitor to outscore every French team on their home turf. We discuss the journey, the preparation, the pressure of competing at the highest level, and what it takes to build a team capable of achieving something many thought impossible. A conversation about chasing an unlikely goal, overcoming obstacles, and leaving a mark on the sport’s history.
If you're serious about tracking, this podcast is for you. Today I'm joined by Aivo Oblikas, a long-time student of tracking, respected judge, and someone who has spent decades analyzing what makes dogs successful on the track. Aivo has judged at the highest levels of the sport, including the FH World Championship and the FMBB IGP World Championship, giving him a unique perspective on both training and evaluation. Over the next two and a half hours, we dive deep into the world of tracking. We discuss everything from getting started with young dogs to advanced FH and IGP concepts. We talk about motivation, corners, article indications, contamination, aging tracks, weather conditions, surface changes, reading the dog, common training mistakes, and many of the details that often determine success or failure in competition. One of the things I appreciate about Aivo is that he doesn't simply repeat what everyone else is doing. Over the years, he has developed his own approach to tracking and in this conversation he shares many of the principles that guide his training and the way he thinks about the work. Whether you're brand new to tracking, actively competing in IGP, preparing for FH-level tracks, or simply looking to improve your understanding of one of the most fascinating disciplines in dog training, there's something here for you. This is a conversation for the tracking nerds, the people who enjoy the details, the people who want to understand not just what happens on the track, but why it happens. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Aivo Oblikas.