Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 60

© c. allen

summary
Early takeoff syndrome is a term used to describe a progressive jumping problem seen in performance dogs where the most characteristic sign is that the dog takes off inappropriately early for the jumps. The affected dogs are in good health and in most cases have a sound foundation in jump training. Classic ETS does not improve with training. Certain breeds and lines within breeds are often affected and there seems to be a hereditary component; therefore, breeders of performance dogs need to take action to prevent ETS. Finally, remember that lack of confidence exacerbates ETS, and maintaining confidence is probably the most important aspect of the dog’s jumping program, whether ETS is present or not. D
Linda Mecklenburg is internationally recognized as one of the most accomplished trainers of jumping for agility dogs. Her approach to foundation jump training, as described in her book Developing Jumping Skills, has been used by top handlers to produce talented and skillful jumpers all over the world. She is considered to be an expert on diagnosing and solving a wide range of jumping problems. Years of experience working with dogs with jumping problems prompted Linda to share her observations in this article. For more detailed information or consultations, visit www. awesomepaws.us where you will find “The Forum,” an online discussion group dedicated to agility.

This dog has misjudged the double and has taken off too early. He has already begun to descend before he is over the jump. successful. Many dogs compete for years with the problem, some at the highest levels. All dogs are different in how they cope and how fast ETS progresses. Many dogs can participate in agility despite ETS as long as the handler evaluates the dog’s capabilities realistically and maintains reasonable expectations. With the level competition has risen to in the last few years, it may be unreasonable to expect an ETS-affected dog to win major championships, but often a team can still have fun if the handler maintains the dog’s confidence and keeps it positive. Although not the best option for most diehard agility enthusiasts, some affected dogs, with guidance, are able to compete successfully in alternative sports such as flyball, where the jumps are lower and the spacing is predictable. hopefully performance dog breeders can get the information they need to make knowledgeable decisions when selecting breeding prospects. Identifying isolated cases of ETS may not be cause for alarm, but if multiple dogs that are related are affected by ETS, a red flag should be raised. Until more is known about the cause and treatment of ETS, breeders should consider removing affected dogs, or those that have produced affected dogs, from their breeding programs; or at least planning carefully to avoid breeding two individuals that both have relatives associated with ETS. Information about ETS and its potential should be disclosed to prospective buyers of related pups so that they can make informed decisions. Those interested in agility as a casual pastime may not care at all; those that aspire to compete at the highest levels of the sport may prefer not to take a risk. It is extremely disappointing to put a great deal of time, money, and emotional investment into a promising young pup only to have jumping problems start to develop just as the dog is beginning to show his potential. It is important to note that dogs bred for conformation will have no apparent problems and so it may be difficult for a breeder of such dogs to accurately screen for ETS and prevent it in dogs they offer as performance prospects. Removing affected dogs from the breeding pool may literally be impossible for some breeds that have an unusually high incidence. As awareness of ETS becomes more widespread, hopefully the breed clubs of those breeds will be inspired to take action and seek out ways to eliminate it.

Author’s note: I’d like to express my appreciation to the handlers of dogs who came to me for help with their dogs’ jumping problems years ago before I recognized ETS and its ramifications. I wish I knew then, what I know now. Hopefully many, many dogs in the future will benefit from the knowledge I gained by working with your dogs. Several video examples of ETS have been posted on the Clean Run Magazine Forum website (www.cleanrun.com/index. cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ id=603). The video links and photos used in this article have been graciously provided by the dogs’ owners, with permission, in the hope that other owners and their dogs that may suffer from ETS will benefit. In each case the dog’s physical health and vision have been determined to be normal by veterinarians. In the videos you can see that the dogs want to do agility, and it is heartbreaking that jumping can be such a struggle for some.
Clean Run | May 10

PrEvEntion
Many handlers inappropriately blame themselves for their dogs’ jumping problems. At present, the development of ETS is not preventable, and no one is at fault. Increased awareness is the first step toward prevention of ETS. My goal for this article is to bring the problem to the attention of the agility community, so that steps toward identifying a definitive cause and treatment can be taken. Prevention is not possible until the cause is better understood. In the meantime, it is important that breeders start evaluating their breeding programs carefully. Most performance dog breeders have probably not been aware of ETS until now, thus have not been screening their dogs and their offspring for it. As awareness of ETS becomes more widespread,
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http://www.awesomepaws.us http://www.awesomepaws.us http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=603 http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=603 http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=603

Clean Run Magazine -May 2010

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

Clean Run Magazine -May 2010
Contents
Editorializing: I Want It Now!
Tip of the Month
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility…
Backyard Dogs
Here Comes the Sun: Sun Protection & Safety Tips
Train to Maintain: Dogwalk
What You Need to Know about Kennel Cough
When Pigs Fly: The Start Line Is the First Obstacle
Using Real Estate Wisely
Building Your Plan: Developing Performance Goals, Part 2
Let’s Play! A Fail-safe Plan to Teach Your Dog to Love Toys, Part 3
What Is Early Takeoff Syndrome?
Can You Handle It?
It’s Your Turn! Cue #3: The Front Cross, Part 2
FullHouse Strategy: Pick a Card, Any Card
Shelter Champs: Tess
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Clean Run Magazine -May 2010
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 2
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Contents
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 4
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Editorializing: I Want It Now!
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Tip of the Month
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility…
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Backyard Dogs
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 9
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 10
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 11
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Here Comes the Sun: Sun Protection & Safety Tips
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 13
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 14
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 15
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Train to Maintain: Dogwalk
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 17
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 18
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 19
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 20
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 21
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 22
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 23
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 24
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - What You Need to Know about Kennel Cough
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 26
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 27
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 28
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 29
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - When Pigs Fly: The Start Line Is the First Obstacle
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 31
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 32
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 33
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 34
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Using Real Estate Wisely
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 36
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 37
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 38
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 39
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 40
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 41
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Building Your Plan: Developing Performance Goals, Part 2
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 43
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 44
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 45
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 46
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Let’s Play! A Fail-safe Plan to Teach Your Dog to Love Toys, Part 3
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 48
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 49
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 50
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 51
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 52
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 53
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - What Is Early Takeoff Syndrome?
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 55
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 56
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 57
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 58
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 59
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 60
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 61
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Can You Handle It?
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 63
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 64
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 65
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - It’s Your Turn! Cue #3: The Front Cross, Part 2
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 67
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 68
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 69
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 70
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 71
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - FullHouse Strategy: Pick a Card, Any Card
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 73
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 74
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 75
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 76
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - Shelter Champs: Tess
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 78
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 79
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 80
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 81
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 82
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 83
Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 84
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