Clean Run Magazine - April 2007 - 62

Measuring: What’s the Big Deal? By Allison Bryant Why would I write an article about dogs being measured for an agility trial? It’s not really a training concern, is it? Well, yes, it should be. In ASCA agility, the maximum height our Aussies have to jump is 20". Yet, in other organizations, a dog may have to jump as high as 26". The height class a dog enters depends on how tall he measures at the withers. For some dogs that measure well under the height class cutoff, measuring isn’t a big deal. But for other dogs that are close to the cutoff height, getting a correct measurement is very important. © CLEAN RUN Another very important reason that makes measuring a training concern is your dog’s comfort level with strangers who are handling him. If your dog is not comfortable being handled by strangers (for example, the measuring judge) it sets the tone for the remainder of your day. Having a stressful measurement session can be a negative experience for both you and your dog. An extreme example might be a dog that nips at the judge when being measured. His day might be over before it has even started. A little training can help avoid stress and make the measuring process an easy and fun experience for your dog. It also helps the judge finish measuring as quickly as possible, moving the day along for everyone. moves up and down as the dog moves his head. The withers are stationary even when the head is moving up and down. As a dog owner, you need to know the exact location on your dog where the measurement should be taken. If the measurement is taken from the wrong location (for example, the neck in front of the withers), your dog could measure taller than he actually is. When being measured, a dog should be placed standing “square,” which is similar to a conformation “stack” as shown in Figure 1. Ideally, the forelegs are directly under the dog, perpendicular to the ground. The hind legs are placed under the hindquarters so the legs below the hock joint are perpendicular to the ground. The head is about level with the top line (not a lot higher and not lower.) This description is the ideal stance; dogs often have other ideas and resist any attempts by the owner to place them in this fashion. Training your dog to stand for measurement in the position described above will not only make 90 degrees the measurement 1 process go quickly, but it will also give your dog the best possible chance at an accurate measurement. COURTESY OF ALLISON BRYANT I want my dogs to be able to enter the lowest height class available to them. I always have the option of moving them into a higher height class if I choose. But for their athletic longevity, I always jump them in the lowest height class for which they qualify; therefore, I feel that it is very important to get a proper height measurement. If the height measurement is incorrect, it could force my dog to jump higher than he really should, which is another reason the measuring process is a training concern. Recently I was a judge at a large agility trial. As part of my judging responsibilities, I had to measure about 30 dogs Saturday morning. I was surprised at the number of dogs that were difficult to measure. Also, many owners did not know how to correctly stand their dogs to get a proper measurement. I think dogs that are difficult to measure (whether fearful, resistant, or untrained) often measure higher at the withers than if they were trained, relaxed, and standing calmly. Since it usually takes a maximum of three measurements to get a permanent height card, most owners don’t bother to put much effort into training their dogs to stand for measurement. The Finer Points of Measurement There are a few other considerations when having your dog measured. Almost always, dogs are measured first thing in the morning. My dogs are always revved up and ready to go at that time of day. Even when they are standing properly to be measured, they seem to stand taller because they are a little chilly, and are energized and excited by the busy atmosphere. When one of my dogs has to be measured, I make a special effort to take him out and play ball for several minutes before getting measured to take the edge off so he isn’t bursting with energy. I want him to be relaxed and able to stand quietly. The presence of new and interesting girl dogs nearby makes measuring my intact males difficult. Often they try to impress the girls by standing alertly and looking handsome (taller) in hopes of attracting their attention. If this behavior is a problem, I ask people to move their dogs a few feet away if they are distracting mine. If your dog is shy, having other dogs crowded around will make him tense as well. Don’t be afraid to ask people or dogs to Clean Run | April 07 How Dogs Are Measured To obtain the dog’s correct height a measuring device is placed on the dog’s withers. The withers is defined as the high part of the dog’s back, located between the shoulder blades. Be sure not to confuse the beginning of the neck with the withers. The neck 62

Clean Run Magazine - April 2007

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