Clean Run - January 2013 - 5

Help Prevent Injuries on Jumps
By Linda Mecklenburg

Whenever agility safety issues are discussed, the most common arguments against making changes to improve safety are that “it’s a training issue” (that is, it’s the dog’s/handler’s problem) or “it will be too expensive to make the improvements.” Here’s my take on it:

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Most organizations that sanction trials state that safety is a primary concern. I interpret this to mean that they will be responsible for making sure equipment, running surfaces, and course designs will be safe. When I send in my entry fees, I have a certain level of expectation that every effort has been made to assure safety. Of course, as a handler, ultimately the responsibility for safety is mine. But I should not have to sacrifice performance to achieve that safety, nor can I expect to always be the perfect handler. For example, I should not have to shape my dog’s approach to a contact because: 1) the course design was poor; or 2) the surface of the equipment was slick and dangerous. Many times I’ve been told that I should elect not to run if I feel unsafe conditions exist. But if those unsafe conditions were preventable, shouldn’t I be entitled to a refund? If I am not familiar with the venue or equipment to be used, I write the trial secretary to ask about it. I will choose not to attend if I don’t like the answer, and I let the club know the reason why. It takes time, but eventually clubs realize they can afford to make things safer with the entry fees that are lost when competitors choose to go elsewhere. There was resistance to electronic timing, rubberized contacts, 24" spaced poles etc., but eventually changes were made.

There are many ways to decrease the danger of jumps; for example, using 5'-long bars helps decrease the risk of a dog colliding with an upright. But, using a single cup on each upright, rather than multiple cups, is one of the best ways to improve jump safety. Single jump cups are the least likely to cause injury because nothing protrudes from the upright above the bar. However, if multiple cups are used, it is better if they are spaced at 2" increments rather than at the 4" or 6" spacing some jumps use. The reason is twofold: the more cups, the more visible they are. In addition, the more cups, the more likely impact will be distributed over a wider area instead of concentrated on one point. Whether individual cups or jump cup strips are used, using a color that contrasts with the upright will help to increase visibility. Contrast between the upright and the running surface, as well as between the cups and the upright, also improves visibility. Visibility is necessary for the dog to assess the task being asked of him. Jumps should not have a crosspiece that connects the two uprights (or wings). This makes the uprights nearly nondisplaceable. Dogs make mistakes and they hit uprights as well as bars. If we require displaceable bars, it just makes sense to require displaceable uprights. Jump wings also should not be constructed so that the dog is confused about what part is the actual jump. Wings should not have predominantly horizontal components that resemble bars or planks, nor should there be large gaps or holes that a dog could fit through. The latter problem is often seen with manufactured spread jumps. I’ve seen dogs jump through the metal end piece that connects the two uprights of the spread, which could result in serious injury. I don’t understand why metal is used for any jump component these days, but I am really befuddled as to why metal would be the material of choice for wall jumps and broad jumps. There are lightweight, durable materials out there that can be used for these obstacles. For additional thoughts on equipment safety, see Daisy Peel’s podcast at www.daisypeel.com/podcasts/session8 and my blog at www.awesomepaws.us/?p=2153. This sport is still evolving and we should always be looking for ways to improve it and make it safer.

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There has been a great deal of online discussion about metal jump cups. Protruding jump cups, no matter what the material, are a potential hazard to the dog as he jumps—of course, metal is the absolute worst! Both ends of the dog are at risk when jump cups stick out (or worse yet, metal extensions protrude above the jump cups). The dog’s eyes, face, shoulders, and stifles (rear legs) are the areas of the body most likely to be injured by protruding cups. Because course design challenges have continued to evolve, dogs are now being asked to slice jumps at all angles and approach jumps from the backside, resulting in minimal visibility of the actual jump. Dogs are also encouraged to wrap jumps very tightly. The changes in course design and handling have increased the potential for injury. So, is this a “training issue?” Change the performance or change the equipment? To me the answer is obvious.

Linda Mecklenburg
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Linda Mecklenburg is one of the most accomplished dog agility trainers and instructors in the United States. She and her students have achieved the highest levels of success in dog agility. Linda teaches agility full time at her Awesome Paws Agility Center in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. For more information visit her website www.awesomepaws.us. To join an online discussion forum about Awesome Paws Handling System go to http://forums.awesomepaws.us. January 13 | Clean Run

http://www.daisypeel.com/podcasts/session8 http://www.awesomepaws.us/?p=2153 http://www.awesomepaws.us http://forums.awesomepaws.us

Clean Run - January 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - January 2013