Clean Run Magazine - March 2010 - 80

75' 1 6A 67' 1 6A 33' 6B 7A 6B 21' 37' 3 7B 5 1 43' 7B 41' 52' 35' 1 5 37' 4B 2 1 43' 2 F F 1 6' 4B 1 S S 75' riskier and possibly slower due to the added control needed to avoid taking an unintended obstacle. Another option would be to head for the #5 weave poles after the third red (turquoise path in Figure 4) instead of turning left and going back to do #7a/#7b. This path would result in only 2 fewer points, but a savings of 79' or about 27 yards (69' vs. 148'). This plan could be done by a dog whose rate of speed is 3.9 yps (192 yards ÷ 49 seconds). 7A 21' 37' 43' 7B 41' 52' 43' 46' F F 1 35' 67' 1 6A 33' 6B 3 5 1 37' 4B 37' 2 1 31' 4A 20' What If? What if judge Gauntt had specified 3 or 4 reds may be taken? In this case the handler could consider taking the red in the lower right quadrant of the course first and proceeding to jump #4a, then the #4b tunnel (orange path); then either of the two courses already outlined with three #7s or two #7s and a #5 as shown in Figure 5. This would add 91' or about 31 yards to our course plans. The total yardage for the #4 combination plus three #7s would be 253 yards (222 + 31), requiring the dog to be able to complete the sequence at a rate 5.16 yps (261 yards ÷ 49 seconds). The total yardage for the #4 combination plus two #7s and a #5 would be 223 yards (192 + 31). The rate of speed required would be 4.55 yps (223 yards ÷ 49 seconds). If our dog has an expected rate of speed of 5 yps, then the path with the #4 combination, the two #7s, and the #5 might be a better choice than risking not completing the closing. S 6' S okay, just complete the obstacle or combination, then head to your next red or the closing (if appropriate) to complete the course. In Conclusion I hope this article has helped you see some ways of comparing strategies in Snooker so you can optimize your and your dog’s performance. It is a fun game and generally there is the opportunity to do well by coming up with the best course plan for the time allowed. D Ann lives in San Diego, California with four Border Collies, Trigger, Flurry, Kit, and Stun. Her first agility dogs, Bostons Mystic (1992-2004) and Chance (19922007), 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. Clean Run | March 10 Plan for the Unexpected Too A couple of things to keep in mind when the unexpected happens in Snooker: If your dog drops a red bar then he must either A) proceed to the closing if all allowed reds have been attempted; or B) if more reds are available, proceed to an available red without committing to any other obstacle. Usually the easiest thing to do in this case is to escort your dog to the next red you had planned and get back on course that way. Another common occurrence is the dog commits to an unintended pointed obstacle on the way to the intended obstacle. This is

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Clean Run Magazine - March 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - March 2010