Clean Run - April 2017 - 13

The first sequence to look at is the A-frame through the weave poles
in Figure 2. This was intended to test both an independent A-frame
performance and the weave pole entry. I envisioned handlers trying
to get ahead of their dogs at the A-frame so they could make some
type of side-switch between #3 and #4. This would allow the handler to
get the dogs into the weave poles easier. In an event like this, the vast
majority of dogs have a running contact. I thought this would be a big
test for the dogs and handlers, as you not only needed to be ahead of
your dog, but you needed some lateral distance to get between #3 and
#4 to make a cross. Let me tell you, I was impressed, not a single dog
missed the contact on the A-frame! That being said not everything was
perfect through this section.

2
5

FC or BC

4
1

1
15

You can see just how lateral and ahead of your dog
you needed to be for either the front or blind cross
between #3 and #5. Impressive that no dogs missed
the A-frame contact. Notice the hard push to the
weave poles required by handlers who chose to pull at
#3 and rear cross #4.

FC
8

11
9

For the front cross after #6 to get to a rear cross at #9,
the ideal position for you and your dog is shown by the
black dog and handler. This position allows you to cue
#7 and get to the green dog and handler position and
be decelerating for a good turn to #10.

It was fun to watch how many handlers chose to execute a blind cross
between #3 and #4 as opposed to the traditional front cross. I remember
not many years ago when they were considered taboo as a handling
move. Funny how some things change, but remain the same.
Anyway, both front and blind crosses were used with equal success to
get the dog on the handler's right side to make sure of the weave pole
entry. However, there were a few dogs that did not have complete independence at the A-frame. This meant that the handlers were unable to
get in for a cross after #3, forcing them to pull their dogs from #3 to #4
and rear cross into the weave poles. Fortunately for them, the handlers
were able to push the dogs' line and turn them into the poles without
much difficulty. Not to say some faults didn't occur in this section. A couple of bars came down; these were caused mostly by the handlers getting into position a little late between #3 and #4. A couple of dogs went
off-course over jump #15. This appeared to occur due to lack of enough
deceleration at the #4 jump. Plus a couple of weave pole faults, which
happen from time to time.
The next section, #6 through #11, was my personal favorite. I try hard
to design a course where handlers have choices to make. This section
had choices at every turn. Front crosses, rear crosses, blind crosses,
serpentines, pushes, post turns, even a reverse spin-all used in an attempt to get the best line and the fastest time. When I designed this section I envisioned two main strategies here. The first strategy, shown in
Figure 3, was a front cross between #6 and #7, pull to #8-#9, rear cross at #9,
and a pull from #10 to the teeter. The second strategy, shown in Figure 4,
was to send your dog out to #6 and serpentine #6-#7-#8, pull #9-#10,
and a post turn to get to the teeter. These were indeed the main choices
of the exhibitors with, of course a few twists thrown in.

April 17 | Clean Run

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - April 2017