Clean Run Magazine - April 2008 - 90

Course Diagram Keys Letter to the Editor I have greatly enjoyed Clean Run magazine for many years and enjoy the variety of articles and advice that it provides. The exercises, editorials, and interviews have been beneficial to a newer agility competitor. I have gained many different ideas, some that work with my Goldens, some that do not. However, I was surprised to see the advertisement on the back cover of the March 2008 issue. The positioning of the Westie coming off the, presumably, teeter is appalling. This dog is in danger of being seriously injured, if not with this incident, then definitely over time. The advertisement is for a canine joint supplement. This little dog is going to need it if this behavior continues! The dog is landing on one leg, the back is hyperextended, the rear legs are awkwardly placed, and the board is getting ready to hit the dog in the abdomen. This appears to be from not waiting for the teeter to hit the ground or from “flying off ” the teeter in the dog’s efforts to get to the next obstacle. As a veterinarian, my concern is for the dogs that we ask to run with us. This photograph is great for telling students exactly what you do not want your dog to do. One of my instructors is using it for just that purpose—to draw attention to the dangers of not having your dog perform a proper teeter. While this is a great photograph for why you will need the product, it is not a great photograph for the dog involved. I was surprised it was used in this advertisement. I would hope that Clean Run continues to monitor the advertisements and articles to insure that the safety of our dogs is kept in our best interest. I would hate for competitors to think this photograph demonstrates what is proper and safe for the dogs. I would like to see this magazine emphasize heavily how to keep our dogs safe and the dangers that are presented with every obstacle so that handlers and trainers can develop a teaching protocol that is safe for our companions. D.J. Kalkwarf, DVM Hello Dr. Kalkwarf, Thanks for writing. The ad you’re commenting on is not a Clean Run advertisement, but I will be happy to pass your comments on to the advertiser. I think that your comments are indicative of why the advertiser may have chosen this photo for the ad: Despite even the best training, things can happen in agility that are strenuous on the dog’s body; therefore, you should use a supplement to help protect the dog’s joints. I don’t see anything in the ad that advocates training or performing the seesaw in this manner. In addition, this photo is from an actual trial. The dog was not made to perform a seesaw incorrectly in order to shoot a photo for an ad, which would be an entirely different thing and something I would be quite concerned about. I think that Clean Run has done a lot to foster safe training protocols in our sport, educate readers about stretching and strengthening, and so on, and we will continue to do so. Monica Percival Clean Run © MATTALLISONPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 1 1 1 1 1 BC FC FT RC LOP RFP FC Moving? It can take 6-8 weeks for changes of address to take effect. Change your address online on the Magazine Forum page at www.cleanrun.com or call us with the information. FT Contact Clean Run Inside the US: 800.311.6503 Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm EST Outside the US: 413.532.1389 Fax: 413.532.1590 Email: info@cleanrun.com Write: Clean Run 17 Industrial Drive South Hadley, MA 01075 Online Store: www.cleanrun.com 90 Subscription Problems or Questions? If you have any questions about your subscription or you need to report a problem with delivery, contact info@cleanrun.com. Please note that replacements for missing issues cannot be sent out until the 12th of the month (for example, May 12 for the May issue for US subscriptions) and the 25th of the month (for example, May 25 for the May issue) for Canadian and overseas subscriptions. Delivery times for periodicals mail can vary even within the same city, so please be patient and wait until the 12th to report a missing issue. However, issues that have been damaged in the mail should be reported immediately. D3 D2 D1 T H2 H3 H1 Letters to the Editor We welcome comments on the magazine as well as letters to the editor. Please send to letters@cleanrun.com Clean Run | April 08

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Clean Run Magazine - April 2008

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