Agility Bar Knocking

[Cosmolo]

Thats true PF-and even then its not done. I ride a very experienced show jumper and my instructor ALWAYS ensures jump has fill of some kind- second pole or otherwise. If i start to train agility again i would certainly do alot more grid training and show jumping type work. None of my dogs have ever pulled bars more than a handful of times but i thinkthat must be luck more than anything else.

[Kavik]

What is a ground line? I know nothing about show jumping horses. I assume by filled you mean more than a single bar to indicate the jump, like the x shape often in showjumping with horses or the solid jump in obedience?

[poodlefan]

What is a ground line? I know nothing about show jumping horses. I assume by filled you mean more than a single bar to indicate the jump, like the x shape often in showjumping with horses or the solid jump in obedience?

A ground line is usually a pole placed on the ground to give a horse some indication of a take off point. It discourages getting too close or taking off too early and tends to encourage a rounder jumping style. Sometimes its at the bottom of the jump, sometimes, depending on the horse, further out where an earlier take off is needed.

So does jumping barrels and broad jumps.

Edited July 10, 2009 by poodlefan

[skip]

At my training class (early level) we use what we call a "bump" bar . It is a poly pipe which has a much larger diameter cut longitudinally. It is placed before a jump. The dogs sit , when released they jump over the "bump" and are in the correct position to start the jump or jumping grid.

I used similar poles on the ground when riding horses as well. Our class does jump grids using the bump, a series of jumps and a target such as food at the end. This exercise is what we do first before dogs begin running sequences.

Our instructors are hoping to create a better jump style. We also use this exercise to practice stays and handling the dog from a more lateral position.

Anyone else use these "bump" bars? I am new to agility but it seems training methods are changing all the time for the better?

[Reddii]

At my training class (early level) we use what we call a "bump" bar . It is a poly pipe which has a much larger diameter cut longitudinally. It is placed before a jump. The dogs sit , when released they jump over the "bump" and are in the correct position to start the jump or jumping grid.

I used similar poles on the ground when riding horses as well. Our class does jump grids using the bump, a series of jumps and a target such as food at the end. This exercise is what we do first before dogs begin running sequences.

Our instructors are hoping to create a better jump style. We also use this exercise to practice stays and handling the dog from a more lateral position.

Anyone else use these "bump" bars? I am new to agility but it seems training methods are changing all the time for the better?

Susan Salo uses these in her grid work. They have helped my boy in particular.

[ness]

I have a BC who is a small dog , but she runs like a BC.

[Reddii]

I have a BC who is a small dog , but she runs like a BC.

x2 here!

Oh, I also have a BC who can't make up his mind if he is a small dog or a BC, but we are working on it.

[JulesP]

When I read stuff about what border collies are like I wonder what went wrong with mine

[ness]

Reddii I finally got my little girl measured and she is only 430/440mm so very small . But she doesn't have a long body either so is compact all over.

[Reddii]

Reddii I finally got my little girl measured and she is only 430/440mm so very small . But she doesn't have a long body either so is compact all over.

She is TINY. Everyone comments on Xena being small at anywhere between 450 and 470 depending on her mood and who measures her.

I'm always amazed when I watch small dogs run around an agility course with their owners - just like they are on a string (sometimes the dogs and sometimes the owners). They NEVER seem to knock bars though. (feeble attempt to keep topic on track - sorry).

I don't really think it matters what size they are as long as they are proportion. (showing obviously different story) Kenzie is Beautiful! If ever you decide you don't want her...........

[Kavik]

Just had Kaos measured and he measured 570 so considerably bigger than your girl ness

[JulesP]

Poppy grew a bit more after Kenzie's age. Think she was about 445. Now is she 455-460 but the measuring thing is supposed to be a bit dodgy. Poppy is flatter over jumps, she doesn't have Brock's nice technique.

[ness]

Interesting - yeah she wasn't happy with being measured so I think she is slightly more than that. My other girl though is only 465 so not big either.

I did get told by somebody that I had a couple of shelties - this was when I had both of them at the dog pool one day quite a while ago .

Kenzie has a lovely jumping action on her and also reads her jumps a lot better than Ness (or so it appears from the preliminary jump work I have done). I just need to teach Kenzie to concentrate on the jumps rather than on me or the toy . She is great at jump grids but when I start trying to sequence jumps normally then she will do one and then turn and grab me or run straight into the bar.

If she is focused on the jump she has no hassle clearing the 500 jumps easily.

ETA. Kavik, Kenzie would look positively midgety alongside a 570 dog. I have to laugh though as friends have a bull mastiff x rhodesian ridgeback - so a thumping great dog and Kenzie is absolutely besotted by him. He is so gentle with her though and its really quite funny to watch . Its not changed since she was tiny, he does occasinally get a bit rough though especially when they are off-lead although Kenzie can out run him anyway .

Edited July 12, 2009 by ness