If you ever doubted that mastering dog agility training is something you could do, Ulla Viholainen’s story might change your mind. At 76, Ulla discovered her passion for agility and hasn’t looked back since. What began as a way to keep her energetic poodles active has now become a journey filled with personal growth, exercise, and countless memories.
With her three poodles—Tami, Massimo, and Sirius—by her side, she’s navigated everything from chaotic early training sessions to becoming a champion at major competitions. The real magic is how this journey has strengthened her connection with her dogs.
In this interview, Ulla shares how agility became her favorite activity and how OneMind Dogs made the entire process easy and accessible.
Q: Tell me a bit about you and your dogs.
A: I’m Ulla Viholainen, and I just turned 76 in August. Upon my retirement, my workplace gave me a toy dog as a gift, with the boss saying it would one day become real. This happened in December 2020, and in May 2021, my best friend Anu called to tell me there was a poodle litter from which I could choose one. We visited the puppies, and I picked a male. I asked if I could name him Tambest, after my workplace, and so his name became Backseat Driver’s Tambest, or Tami for short. I now have three poodles who keep me on my toes—Tami, who’s now 13, Massimo, who’s 8, and the youngest, Sirius, who’s 5. Agility is their favorite activity, and it’s safe to say it’s mine too!
We also enjoy spending time outdoors, going for walks, and just having fun together. Each of them brings their own quirks and energy into our lives, and it’s never a dull moment with them around. Whether we’re training for agility competitions or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, they’re my constant companions and my biggest motivation to stay active and engaged.
Q: What inspired you to start agility with your dogs?
A: Tami was the one who inspired me to dive into dog agility. From the moment I brought him home, he was bursting with energy, always ready for action. It became clear very quickly that he needed an outlet for all that enthusiasm, and I needed a way to keep up with him!
Agility seemed like the perfect solution, and we jumped right into it. At first, it was just about keeping Tami busy, but the more we trained, the more I realized how much fun we were both having. His quickness and excitement on the course were contagious, and I couldn’t help but get caught up in the thrill.
Seeing him thrive in agility inspired me to continue and even get my other dogs, Massimo and Sirius, involved. What started as a way to manage Tami’s energy turned into a full-blown passion for all of us.
Q: What challenges did you face when you first started agility, and how have you adapted to them?
A: When I first started agility, I had no background in sports or training, so it was all new to me. Learning the handling techniques was tricky, and keeping up with an energetic dog like Tami wasn’t easy! He would zip through the course while I tried to figure out where I was supposed to be.
Sometimes, I felt I wasn’t fast enough or good enough to keep up, especially since I started later in life. But I learned to adapt. You don’t have to be the fastest or the strongest—agility is about precision and trust.
Over time, I got better at reading my dogs, OneMind Dogs has been a huge help in that. Their online lessons allowed me to learn at my own pace, and more importantly, I started thinking about agility from the dogs’ perspective.
Q: Can you describe your training journey? What were your initial goals, and how have they evolved?
A: My training journey started with a simple goal: keep Tami, my energetic poodle, happy and active. I had no plans for competition; it was all about giving him something fun to do. But once we started, I quickly saw how much potential Tami had, and we began entering competitions.
He excelled, earning agility and jumping champion titles and consistently placing in the top 5. This only fueled my passion for agility, and I wanted a companion for Tami from the same breeder. In March 2016, I got the news that there was a male puppy available, and so Massimo joined our family. Massimo was much calmer and a bit reserved, but he also became a competition partner, achieving agility and jumping champion titles fairly quickly.
In 2019, I felt there was room for one more poodle. It was a difficult year for me as my husband passed away in August after a long illness. His last words to me were that I could get a puppy if I wanted. The next day, he passed away. A few days later, I heard from a friend in Jyväskylä that puppies had been born, and I could get a male if I wished. That’s how Sirius came into our lives. Tami and Massimo were easy to train, but Sirius was different. He wouldn’t leave my side, constantly jumping, spinning, and barking around my feet. I competed regularly with all three dogs, and although it was chaotic, I managed to get Sirius to level three. At some point, I realized it didn’t matter whether Sirius earned any titles; the main thing was that we were doing something together and not just sitting on the couch. Now I feel Sirius has found a new gear.
Over time, my goals evolved. It became less about titles and more about the experience itself—staying active, bonding with my dogs, and enjoying the process. Now, I train with all three of my dogs, and while competition is fun, the real joy comes from the time we spend together on the course.
Watch a video of Ulla and her dogs in training with OneMind Dogs Coach Timo!
Q: What are some memorable moments or milestones you’ve experienced during your agility training?
A: Oh, there have been so many, but Tami and Massimo’s championship wins will always be highlights for me. In Kuopio, Tami and I won the Senior Championship, beating over 70 participants—that was an incredible feeling!
In 2018, I had both Tami and Massimo competing at the Senior Championships in Pietarsaari. After the jumping round, Tami was in first place, and Massimo was second. However, in the final round, Tami made a mistake on the seesaw. Massimo took first place, and seeing them both do so well was a bittersweet moment.
Another standout memory was entering all three of my dogs in the regional team championships as “Ulla’s Poodles.” All the dogs completed clear rounds, and we won the title. It was exhausting, but running almost non-stop with them was worth every second.
Q: How has your relationship with your dogs changed or deepened through agility training?
A: Dog agility training has completely transformed my relationship with my dogs. Through agility, I’ve learned to read their body language better, and they’ve learned to trust me in guiding them through the courses.
Tami, Massimo, and Sirius have unique personalities, and agility has helped me understand them on a deeper level. Overall, agility has strengthened our trust and friendship.
Q: How has OneMind Dogs influenced your journey?
A: OneMind Dogs has been a game-changer for me and my dogs. The method of seeing agility from the dog’s perspective shifted how I approach training. It helped me understand what my dogs need from me during the runs, and that’s made our communication so much smoother.
Q: What advice would you give to others considering agility training with their dogs?
Ulla: Don’t overthink it—just start! I hope that people without a sports background will dare to do agility with their dogs. At its best, agility strengthens the bond between human and dog, and age is not a barrier.
Start small, be patient, and enjoy the little victories along the way. Agility is as much about bonding with your dog as it is about the competition. And if you’re worried about where to start, OneMind Dogs is a great resource.
Q: What are your future goals with your dogs?
A: I’m not as focused on major competitions anymore, except for the Senior Championships. These days, I want to keep moving and enjoying agility with my dogs for as long as I can.
I’ve realized that it’s not about titles anymore; it’s about staying active and spending time with my boys. As long as we’re doing something together, that’s all that matters. As they say, a rolling stone gathers no moss, and I intend to keep rolling with my dogs for as long as possible.
A passion for Dog Agility turned into a lifelong bond
Ulla’s story is a beautiful reminder of the joy and fulfillment that dog agility can bring, regardless of age or experience level. Through her journey, she’s found a way to stay active, build stronger bonds with her dogs, and compete at the highest levels.
OneMind Dogs has played a key role in helping Ulla achieve her goals by offering an accessible and engaging way to learn dog agility from home at your own pace. And the best part? Our method strengthens the bond with your dog in ways you never imagined.
So, why wait? Sign up for OneMind Dogs and discover just how easy and enjoyable dog agility training can be.
