Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 5

Editorializing… For Our Dogs’ Sake: Concerns about Weave Pole Spacing By Ann Croft A few years ago well-known international agility trainer, Guy Blanke, posted photos and videos comparing his Belgian Sheepdog weaving 20"- and 24"-spaced poles. He observed how the dog’s spine was bending in three places—neck, mid back, and lower back—to negotiate the 20" spacing. There was far less contortion of the spine at 24" spacing and the dog moved more freely through the weaves. I am thankful to Guy for bringing this to my attention, since 20" to 21" weave pole spacing is very much the norm in the U.S. Over the years I have become aware of many otherwise healthy athletic agility dogs in their prime with shoulder tendon, knee, or back injuries (especially mid and lower back), some chronic, where no trauma had been observed. Could it be these strains are due to repetitive stress and could tight weaving be the major contributing factor for these injuries? Weaving is the least natural thing we do with our dogs in agility; running up and down hills and embankments, even steep ones, or jumping over logs and other obstacles comes naturally to them. But there is no parallel to weaving in nature; in fact, there’s nothing else we do with them that bends the spine in three places. While it’s difficult to prove scientifically that tight spacing presents a health risk for our larger dogs, it is rational to consider it may be a potential danger. In preferring to err on the side of protecting our dogs from harm, we should consider standardizing weave pole spacing to 24" in the U.S. You can view Guy’s comparisons at http://smoothmovesagility.com/ weaves/PerformanceAnalysis.html and http://smoothmovesagility.com/ weavespacing/PerformanceAnalysis.html. In those comparisons, we see the dog can power through the wider spaced poles with far less spinal torque. Note that although the 24"-spaced poles are about 1.25 yards longer than the 20"-spaced poles, the dog completes the poles faster because he doesn’t have to negotiate the poles with such sharp turns and can open up his stride, making his performance more similar to that of small dogs. If you watch small dogs weave, you’ll see they often have all four feet on one side of the poles; and even when changing sides, their spines are straight and they are not forced to bend poles to negotiate them. Typically the turn is accomplished by a more natural lead change than what the large dogs must do to change leads. Well-known agility competitor, trainer, and judge Elizabeth Evans also conducted an informal study comparing dogs of different sizes weaving in 20"- and 24"-spaced poles. You can view the video comparisons at www.youtube.com/watch?v=drAcPoKCNyk and www.youtube.com/ watch?v=SaJTVpt_L8Y. Dogs of all sizes appeared to gain rhythm and to speed up in the 24" weaves, and big dogs were noticeably more comfortable. I solicited opinions on weave pole spacing and the possible effects on our big dogs from several canine health professionals who work with agility dogs. All expressed concerns for the dogs’ shoulders based on their hands-on work with the dogs. Some expressed concerns for knee injuries because some dogs have been injured hitting the poles with their knees, and some expressed concerns for the spine. All were 100% for wider spacing to help avoid injuries. What objections might U.S. agility organizations have to standardizing the weave pole spacing to 24"? One objection might be that our dogs would be at a competitive disadvantage outside the U.S., but this would not be the case. FCI rules require the poles to be spaced 24" apart. Agility is conducted under FCI sanctioning throughout the world in over 30 countries across five continents, including all of Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia, and South America. Weave poles are required to be spaced 24" apart in Australia under ANKC rules. The Kennel Club in the U.K. allows 18"-24" spacing; however, it seems 24" spacing is the norm. Another potential objection is that some think our small dogs would be at a disadvantage or that dogs accustomed to 20" spacing might not adapt; again, this does not appear to be the case. While not scientifically validated, it appears most dogs 12"+ in height are able to obtain a more natural stride through the poles, look more comfortable at 24" spacing, and complete the poles as fast or faster than poles spaced at 20". Some dogs smaller than 12" in height have been observed adding a stride at the wider spacing, and sometimes have trouble adjusting when the pole spacing changes unexpectedly from 20" to 24". This is a training problem and would likely be remedied by standardization to 24" spacing for the sake of our big dogs’ health. Agility is becoming a mature sport and there are now many more dogs participating in many more trials than when the organizations originally adopted their equipment specification. Many dogs compete 25-30 weekends per year, and many are running at faster speeds than ever before. The result is that we are seeing more injuries. Simply changing the weave pole spacing specification could help many dogs avoid repetitive stress injuries. I hope all U.S. agility organizations will carefully consider standardizing weave pole spacing at 24" for the health and safety of our dogs. Ann Croft Editors’ Note: This is an abridged version of an online article. To see the full version with photos as well as statements from health professionals and trainers, please visit the Magazine Forum page at www.cleanrun.com. Ann lives in San Diego, California, with her four Border Collies, Trigger, Flurry, Kit, and Stun. Her first agility dogs, Bostons Mystic (1992-2004) and Chance (1992-2007), achieved many agility firsts for their breed. Chance, Caper (Ann’s first BC, 1996- 2007), and Trigger are all double agility champions, MACH and ADCH, and have all been AKC Nationals finalists, with Trigger placing second overall in 2003. Trigger and her teammates won the 2004 DAM National Team Championship. Flurry and Kit are just beginning their agility careers. Ann now teaches full time at her training center, Paws on the Wind Dog Sports, and is also an AKC and USDAA judge. Learn more at www.pawsonthewind.com. April 09 | Clean Run 5
http://smoothmovesagility.com/weaves/PerformanceAnalysis.html http://smoothmovesagility.com/weaves/PerformanceAnalysis.html http://smoothmovesagility.com/weavespacing/PerformanceAnalysis.html http://smoothmovesagility.com/weavespacing/PerformanceAnalysis.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drAcPoKCNyk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaJTVpt_L8Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaJTVpt_L8Y http://www.cleanrun.com http://www.pawsonthewind.com

Clean Run Magazine - April 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - April 2009

Clean Run Magazine - April 2009
Contents
Editorializing: For Our Dogs’ Sake: Concerns about Weave Pole Spacing
Tip of the Month
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility…
Backyard Dogs
When the Price Isn’t Right
Handling Your Dog in Awesome Style, Part 12: Advanced Skills
My Favorite Course
K9 Kudos: Canines Competing for Charity
The Impact of Footing on the Jumping Dog
When the Magic Is Missing: Managing the Unbalanced Class
Skill of the Month
Tricks for Agility: The Shrinking Dog
A New Twist on Training with 2 x 2 Weaves
Can You Handle It?
The Pieces that Finish the Puzzle
Comparing the Derrett and Mecklenburg Handling Systems, Part 2: Lead-out Push versus Lead-out Pivot
Changing Consequences: Controlling Toy Reinforcement
Relationship and Motivation: Jenny’s Guide to Successful Teamwork
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Clean Run Magazine - April 2009
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 2
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Contents
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 4
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Editorializing: For Our Dogs’ Sake: Concerns about Weave Pole Spacing
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Tip of the Month
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility…
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Backyard Dogs
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 9
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - When the Price Isn’t Right
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 11
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 12
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 13
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 14
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Handling Your Dog in Awesome Style, Part 12: Advanced Skills
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 16
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 17
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 18
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 19
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 20
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 21
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 22
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 23
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 24
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 25
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - My Favorite Course
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 27
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - K9 Kudos: Canines Competing for Charity
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 29
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 30
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - The Impact of Footing on the Jumping Dog
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 32
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 33
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 34
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 35
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - When the Magic Is Missing: Managing the Unbalanced Class
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 37
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 38
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Skill of the Month
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 40
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 41
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 42
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Tricks for Agility: The Shrinking Dog
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 44
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 45
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 46
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - A New Twist on Training with 2 x 2 Weaves
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 48
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 49
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 50
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 51
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 52
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Can You Handle It?
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 54
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 55
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 56
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - The Pieces that Finish the Puzzle
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 58
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 59
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Comparing the Derrett and Mecklenburg Handling Systems, Part 2: Lead-out Push versus Lead-out Pivot
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 61
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 62
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 63
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 64
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 65
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 66
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Changing Consequences: Controlling Toy Reinforcement
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 68
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 69
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 70
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 71
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 72
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 73
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 74
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - Relationship and Motivation: Jenny’s Guide to Successful Teamwork
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 76
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 77
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 78
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 83
Clean Run Magazine - April 2009 - 84
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