Dooney Jumping!!

[Dooney's Mom]

I hope you can see this picture- If not just delete my post and I will try again later.
This is my girl at agility class last weekend

[Emoore]

Very nice! But. . . are you doing agility in a prong collar?

[holland]

Nice shot!

[carmspack]

did she make that jump or touch it - the picture shows her holding back , not extending to clear the bar, jumping short -- you are holding her back with the prong and you are too far behind. There is tension on the leash , and her body is angled because she is held back , restricted.

[wildo]

I'll second everyone else. Agility with a prong collar is a MAJOR no-no. It's not just because you want to build drive, but it's because it's actually quite dangerous. I didn't buy it at first when everyone told me that the collar could get hung up on a jump or something, but I've actually seen it happen in person- with a flat collar even! If that prong collar happened to get caught on something and the dog takes off in fear dragging the equipment around- you're going to have a dog that now has to overcome such fears. Sounds far fetched- but I've literally witnessed it with my own eyes... Do yourself a favor and train with a flat collar, harness, or let the dog jump 'naked' (no collar).

Carmen- that looked like a jump chute (jump grid) to me, which isn't necessarily about extension. The point of a jump chute is to teach the dog how to regulate stride- exactly like cavaletti work in horses. An observation I have definitely made is that instructors that are used to smaller dogs tend to set up a very tight jump chute for a GSD (as in- 7' intervals). As the dog gets more obstacle focused, they realize that the chute is way to compressed for realistic jumping in a GSD. At least that was my experience. I do agree with everything else you stated though. Dog likely knocked that bar due to leash pressure.

It is a really nice photo though- great quality! I would love to have some high quality photos of my pup doing agility! Keep it up!

[Ingrid]

"I'll second everyone else. Agility with a prong collar is a MAJOR no-no."

Third it...

Beautiful dog who looks like she's enjoying Agility!

[I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO]

Great picture! But I definitely agree with everyone, if that is a prong in the picture, please trade it in for a flat collar!

I thought you were training with Gail? I can't imagine she allows prongs.

[Dooney's Mom]

Originally Posted by I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO

Great picture! But I definitely agree with everyone, if that is a prong in the picture, please trade it in for a flat collar!

I thought you were training with Gail? I can't imagine she allows prongs.

Not Gail yet as obedience is still an issue (recall mainly) this is a dual purpose agility/obedience class. Hope to start at Gail's by summer. I will start switching her to her flat collar for the agility portion of the class and keep the prong for the obedience section.

It is a "chute" jump, (line of 6 or 7 in a row) and we never knocked a bar down that day.

Thanks!!

[I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO]

Originally Posted by Dooney's Mom

Not Gail yet as obedience is still an issue (recall mainly) this is a dual purpose agility/obedience class. Hope to start at Gail's by summer. I will start switching her to her flat collar for the agility portion of the class and keep the prong for the obedience section.

It is a "chute" jump, (line of 6 or 7 in a row) and we never knocked a bar down that day.

Thanks!!

Oh okay. I've heard such good things about her and I love her facility- I'm glad you're going to end up with her! Maybe I'll see you at her Labor Day trial
Glad you're switching to the flat collar!