European Agility Championships - WHAT were they thinking?

Mrs.K · 08-10-2010, 09:26 AM

Honestly, I would have NEVER EVER competed under these circumstances.

This is madness.... so much about "The dog comes first"...

YouTube - ‪European Open 2010 Liberec SLOW MOTION PREVIEW‬&lrm;

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Wolfiesmom · 08-10-2010, 09:36 AM

Wow! A dog could easily break a leg or worse here. What are these people thinking?!

Xeph · 08-10-2010, 09:40 AM

The honest answer is probably "We came from all over the world to compete."

I kind of think of it like Kerri Strug taking that last vault even though she had broken her leg already...and then she proceeded to break it...worse.

Now, I'm not saying what they're doing is right as the dogs don't get to make the decision...but the thinking is the same.

Kerri Strug fought through tremendous pain and stuck a landing that shattered her leg, presented herself to the judges...and then collapsed in a heap.

Why?

"I worked this hard to get here. Why wouldn't I?"

Mrs.K · 08-10-2010, 09:46 AM

Honestly... it's selfish thinking because the dogs don't get to make the choice.

Even if we trained that hard to make it to the championships is it really worth the price to risk the dogs health? Is it really worth the price that the dog might break a leg while competing and may have to be put to sleep?

If it is my own health I'd risk, that'd be okay but we all have a responsibility towards our companions.
And what is even worse... out of ca. fourhundred people only 14 didn't compete...

Elaine · 08-10-2010, 09:53 AM

I have competed in the rain and the mud and so have most agility people. There are wipe outs when it's muddy and when it's dry, you just don't get to see it in slow motion and in bunches like in these videos. You will notice that the people wiping out are the ones not wearing cleats.

**JKlatsky** · 08-10-2010, 10:23 AM

I don't have a problem necessarily with the slipping or the rain...it happens. I know someone who had their leg broken by a dog on a recall that couldn't stop. I've seen dogs face plant off the Aframe going for the dumbbell in good conditions. Sports are physical and entail certain physical risks.

What bothers me is the depth of the mud. That's what strikes me as irresponsible and unsafe. A dog could definitely break a leg.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 08-10-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elaine

I have competed in the rain and the mud and so have most agility people. There are wipe outs when it's muddy and when it's dry, you just don't get to see it in slow motion and in bunches like in these videos. You will notice that the people wiping out are the ones not wearing cleats.

While the video clearly shows extreme conditions (probably cause SO many dogs/handlers ran the same path) I have also run in very rainy wet conditions with my dogs. Winds so high the small dogs got blown off equipment!

It's a choice we all have to make on that day with that dog. The CRAZY fast dogs who refuse to analyze the footing conditions and only have a SUPER HIGH SPEED when on course probably had the worst runs. The smarter dogs that adjusted probably did much better.

When you speed that much time and money to compete to make it to trials like this, it must be hard to pull out.

Mrs.K · 08-10-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

While the video clearly shows extreme conditions (probably cause SO many dogs/handlers ran the same path) I have also run in very rainy wet conditions with my dogs. Winds so high the small dogs got blown off equipment!

It's a choice we all have to make on that day with that dog. The CRAZY fast dogs who refuse to analyze the footing conditions and only have a SUPER HIGH SPEED when on course probably had the worst runs. The smarter dogs that adjusted probably did much better.

When you speed that much time and money to compete to make it to trials like this, it must be hard to pull out.

I believe that that is the moment where every dog owner shoes his true face about what is more important to him/her.

It's the same in horse jumping. My sister is a passionate horse jumper and she puts a lot of money and training into competing but whenever she sees that the field is under water and mud she pulls out and she is competing in the highest class possible. No trophy is worth the risk hurting your champion.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 08-10-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

I believe that that is the moment where every dog owner shoes his true face about what is more important to him/her.

It does. But I have to say my dogs have NEVER been injured at an agility trial, no matter the weather. The little dogs I saw blown off the dogwalk due to the high winds? Dramatic at the time for the bystanders and handler, but NONE of the dogs I saw come off were injured (or seemed to particularly care

)

But out in my yard or on walks in the woods? The strains/sprains/cuts/stitches they have earned........... the vet loves us!

Xeph · 08-10-2010, 10:42 AM

I must agree.

I've run dogs in the rain, and I often fear for my own safety than theirs.

Strauss has taken a digger off the dog walk just in training. This sport does not come without risk. No sport does.

And quite frankly, this is no different from schutzhund in terms of dogs that run for the pure love of the sport. If dogs could talk, I'd bet you 99% of them would cuss out their human if they refused to let them run.

08-10-2010, 09:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wolfiesmom Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3,807	Wow! A dog could easily break a leg or worse here. What are these people thinking?! __________________ Mom to Chases Wolfgang Heinrich Von Ryan aka Wolfie born 12/20/09 Waiting for us at the bridge is Chases Chieftain aka Chiefy Left this earth and left a hole in our hearts July 2000

08-10-2010, 09:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Xeph Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Castle, PA Posts: 4,764	The honest answer is probably "We came from all over the world to compete." I kind of think of it like Kerri Strug taking that last vault even though she had broken her leg already...and then she proceeded to break it...worse. Now, I'm not saying what they're doing is right as the dogs don't get to make the decision...but the thinking is the same. Kerri Strug fought through tremendous pain and stuck a landing that shattered her leg, presented herself to the judges...and then collapsed in a heap. Why? "I worked this hard to get here. Why wouldn't I?" __________________ Jackie S Konzert vom Drachenberg CD, RN, CGC, Service Dog "Strauss" Joplin von Eichenluft SDIT "Mahler" Mana's 5 Cents for Advice Marcato "Wesson" Devine's Gunpowder N Lead RN "Mirada" Barrett, the Woodford rescue kitty

08-10-2010, 09:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Elaine Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,778	I have competed in the rain and the mud and so have most agility people. There are wipe outs when it's muddy and when it's dry, you just don't get to see it in slow motion and in bunches like in these videos. You will notice that the people wiping out are the ones not wearing cleats. __________________ Elaine and the herd

08-10-2010, 10:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,985	I don't have a problem necessarily with the slipping or the rain...it happens. I know someone who had their leg broken by a dog on a recall that couldn't stop. I've seen dogs face plant off the Aframe going for the dumbbell in good conditions. Sports are physical and entail certain physical risks. What bothers me is the depth of the mud. That's what strikes me as irresponsible and unsafe. A dog could definitely break a leg. __________________ Argos vom Eisernen Loewen VPG1, CGC, TC 3-3-07 Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen BH, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02

08-10-2010, 10:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
Xeph Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Castle, PA Posts: 4,764	I must agree. I've run dogs in the rain, and I often fear for my own safety than theirs. Strauss has taken a digger off the dog walk just in training. This sport does not come without risk. No sport does. And quite frankly, this is no different from schutzhund in terms of dogs that run for the pure love of the sport. If dogs could talk, I'd bet you 99% of them would cuss out their human if they refused to let them run. __________________ Jackie S Konzert vom Drachenberg CD, RN, CGC, Service Dog "Strauss" Joplin von Eichenluft SDIT "Mahler" Mana's 5 Cents for Advice Marcato "Wesson" Devine's Gunpowder N Lead RN "Mirada" Barrett, the Woodford rescue kitty

08-10-2010, 09:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mrs.K Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6,378	Honestly... it's selfish thinking because the dogs don't get to make the choice. Even if we trained that hard to make it to the championships is it really worth the price to risk the dogs health? Is it really worth the price that the dog might break a leg while competing and may have to be put to sleep? If it is my own health I'd risk, that'd be okay but we all have a responsibility towards our companions. And what is even worse... out of ca. fourhundred people only 14 didn't compete...

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