We get a lot of questions at Affordable Agility about what equipment is best for an individual dog. One such question was what type of equipment a Bernese Mountain dog (pictured at right- isn’t he lovely?) should use. This is a hard question to answer. Generally, when it comes to the larger breeds (especially the bulkier/big boned breeds), they do very well with competition equipment. This is especially the case if you want to encourage speed, or if you are at all serious in the sport, no matter your dog size! Many dogs can get by on lighter equipment, but Bernese Mountain dogs are more ‘lumbering’ dogs… give them sturdy equipment!
You may especially want to consider keeping your larger breed on 24″ weave spacing. Most vets agree that the bigger the dog, the harder the closer spacing is on their backs!
Surprisingly, the Dogwalk and the A-frame aren’t the most hazardous obstacles on the course. The innocuous looking tire jump is! Dogs can be injured in countless ways on them. Your dog can be flung back, slide between the frame and the tire on either side, ‘clothesline’ themselves on the tire or the bungees, knock the entire frame over, become ‘caught’ in the tire (in one awful instance I recall seeing, a dog was caught and completely flipped onto their back), go under the tire, or get caught on a side support. What can you do to avoid this? How can you make agility safe for your dog? Watch the video below: NOTE. The dog in the video, by all reports, was not permanently injured. The movie is disturbing, however.
What can you do to avoid accidents like this? We have some very helpful tips to give you…. (click below to keep reading)
In this week of product reviews, it’s worthwhile to note the newest addition to the Affordable Agility product family. I’m really excited to be able to introduce the Doggie Treadmill!
A Pooped Out Dog Is A Happy Dog!
This is the time of year when our dogs don’t seem to get enough exercise. Just like us, if our dogs jump right into an agility training routine and aren’t in shape and their muscles aren’t strong, they can hurt themselves. (stretching can lessen this, but nothing beats exercise!) Not only that, but our dogs have endless energy! They love to play hard, and sleep comfortably after they’re done. There’s nothing better than watching a worn-out dog sleep. They’re so cute, and look so happy!
Training Your Dog To A Treadmill
Treadmills are easy to train with lots of positive reinforcement, if you go slow and steady, and can be safer than outdoor walks if your sidewalks are caked with salt. They’re also wonderful for strengthening the hamstring/gluteal section of your dogs body (hind end, for those who are wondering:D) if you use the incline properly. I like to use them to build endurance (something I personally have problems with at a faster-than-a-walk pace, since I have cold/humidity + exercise = asthma- and I live in New York which is by turns cold, and humid. I digress….) I can’t keep up with my dog in an endurance walk, but with a treadmill I can keep him company and encourage him to keep going and tell him how wonderful he’s doing! For an active agility dog, endurance exercises can be a godsend since it builds muscle tone and encourages deep-chested breathing.
Remember all the rules for you on a treadmill apply to your dog, too! warm-up, cool down, and cardio! Our treadmills come with instruction manuals, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us here at the blog, or at AffordableAgility.com. We’ll be happy to help!
We Need Your Feedback! Watch the Video!
It’s not everyday you see these Dog Treadmills. We are curious as to your opinions and thoughts. Is it something your dog would enjoy? How much time would you run him or her on it? Please share after watching this cool video!)
The results are in! I asked everyone what their opinion might be on AKC’s coming announcement of a change in weave pole spacing to 24″ (due around February). Over 95 of you submitted your thoughts, and they were all very enlightening! To read them all, go here.
Summary
Nearly everyone agrees that 24″ spacing is healthier for dogs of all sizes, but most helpful for big and long-backed dogs. Dogs with neck and back problems who have switched have had significant lessening of their symptoms. Larger dogs are moving faster and ‘smiling’ as they run- and isn’t that what it’s about? Having fun and being safe. This also opens the AKC venue for more competitors, since some dogs with health issues can use the wider weaves without worrying about aggravating an injury. All round, a big thumbs’ up for health.
There’s been some fears expressed that smaller dogs will pop out more, or be slowed down by the wider weaves- but the experience of many people say their smaller dog hasn’t had a problem, or has been even faster!
Check this video one of our members sent! It illustrates in slow motion how the wider spacing affects different size dogs.
Several commented and said they thought trials should have two sets on course- one for big dogs, one for small dogs. After all, A-frames are adjustable, jump categories are for big and small dogs, why not have two sets of weaves? That could be a good idea, except there’d have to be stipulations for the long-backed small dogs like Corgis and Dachshunds. I can see it now…meansuring not just tall, but long! Probably not going to happen, but a creative idea nonetheless.
In summary, AKC has made a change for the health of the big dogs- not a simple preference, but an actual health issue. The change doesn’t hurt the small dogs, and benefits the large dogs. It sounds like a win-win situation. While maybe two sets of poles is a good choice (though some clubs may not be able to afford them) the AKC has spoken, and 24″ spacing prevails.
What about USDAA?
This leads to a problem. When is the USDAA going to make the change? They mandate a current range of 20″-22″! So far they aren’t talking, and this is a frustrating to many people who compete in various venues. I personally believe that if they take their time in making the change, this issue is going to be damaging to their organization. I already see more and more people leaving AKC for CPE for certain advantages that AKC is slow to embrace, and USDAA is sure to experience a downhill descent if they don’t make changes faster. (A universal umbrella organization would be helpful at times like this, though I’m glad there isn’t for other reasons!) USDAA should jump on the health-issues with weaves bandwagon as soon as they can.
Congratulations to our Winner!
Congratulations to Jeff Riedl, who won a copy of Susan Garrett’s DVD “12 Poles in 12 Days”. Our random number generator chose #26 and he was the 26th comment that came in. If you want your own copy, visit here and check it out! And check out our 24″ weaves here. (and for USDAA folks, yep, we have 21″ available as well!)
Christine, a regular member and poster here at AgilityFusion has a question for everyone. Her beloved dog Sideway just got confirmation from her vet that she needs replacement surgery for hip dysplasia. She is wondering, are there any people on here whose dogs have had the surgery? And are they still running in agility? (thank God for veterans and preferred classes, right?)
Your story might be an encouragement to her. Click on “comments” (or scroll to the bottom of page if you are on the page already).
We get a lot of questions at Affordable Agility about what equipment is best for an individual dog. One such question was what type of equipment a Bernese Mountain dog (pictured at right- isn’t he lovely?) should use. This is a hard question to answer. Generally, when it comes to the larger breeds (especially the bulkier/big boned breeds), they do very well with competition equipment. This is especially the case if you want to encourage speed, or if you are at all serious in the sport, no matter your dog size! Many dogs can get by on lighter equipment, but Bernese Mountain dogs are more ‘lumbering’ dogs… give them sturdy equipment!
Christine, a regular member and poster here at AgilityFusion has a question for everyone. Her beloved dog Sideway just got confirmation from her vet that she needs replacement surgery for hip dysplasia. She is wondering, are there any people on here whose dogs have had the surgery? And are they still running in agility? (thank God for veterans and preferred classes, right?)
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