Comments on: Height Dogs http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/ i-Flyball Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:40:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Larry http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 Larry Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:41:16 +0000 http://www.flyballblog.com/?p=172#comment-1120 Hi Beth, Your team may have brought it to my attention but I’ve been to hundreds of tournaments throughout the country so I’ve seen this many times. As Jackie pointed out, I was really commenting on the height dogs that don’t have a backup. I’ve seen it were the height dog has had enough by Sunday and the larger dogs had to try to finish the tournament without their height dog. Hi Beth,
Your team may have brought it to my attention but I’ve been to hundreds of tournaments throughout the country so I’ve seen this many times. As Jackie pointed out, I was really commenting on the height dogs that don’t have a backup. I’ve seen it were the height dog has had enough by Sunday and the larger dogs had to try to finish the tournament without their height dog.

]]> By: Beth http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1118 Beth Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:50:25 +0000 http://www.flyballblog.com/?p=172#comment-1118 In addition to alterating races with our little JRT (who is one of the ones I think you're probably referring to), as Linda said, we also monitor her throught the day, including looking at her split times to see if she's slowing down, checking the pads on her feet and making sure all our dogs are fully hydrated. We are very aware how much more running our start dogs do than the rest of the team. This particular little dog is in great physical shape. Fear not, we're keeping a close watch on her and are looking out for her best interest, but I appreciate your concern. Beth In addition to alterating races with our little JRT (who is one of the ones I think you’re probably referring to), as Linda said, we also monitor her throught the day, including looking at her split times to see if she’s slowing down, checking the pads on her feet and making sure all our dogs are fully hydrated. We are very aware how much more running our start dogs do than the rest of the team. This particular little dog is in great physical shape. Fear not, we’re keeping a close watch on her and are looking out for her best interest, but I appreciate your concern.

Beth

]]> By: Jackie Gillies http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1115 Jackie Gillies Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:46:13 +0000 http://www.flyballblog.com/?p=172#comment-1115 I could not agree with you more..you are doing what needs to be done, and you have a backup for the dog..to get a break. I think Larry was commenting on the height dogs that don't have a backup. And I, on the out of shape start dogs.. I agree, and hope that I am playing flyball at 70! I could not agree with you more..you are doing what needs to be done, and you have a backup for the dog..to get a break. I think Larry was commenting on the height dogs that don’t have a backup. And I, on the out of shape start dogs..

I agree, and hope that I am playing flyball at 70!

]]> By: Linda http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1113 Linda Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:47:50 +0000 http://www.flyballblog.com/?p=172#comment-1113 I understand what you're saying, we have a JRT that can only run in the start position. We've tried training the handler to release in another position, but it is difficult for her to stay down low with her dog for too long a period. She (the handler) will be 70 this year and only started competing in flyball about 3 years ago, her first dog sport ever, and we're just happy she is able to continue to play with our team. We also make every effort to always have more than 1 height dog on a team, since they have to take twice as many steps as the big dogs they split the races. At one of the seminars we attended in Perry we were told that sometimes you have to place the handler in the position that will be most beneficial to the handler, the canine companion, and the entire team, even if it is the start position, and we have found this combination to work well for our team. I only hope I'm still out there playing flyball at 70! I understand what you’re saying, we have a JRT that can only run in the start position. We’ve tried training the handler to release in another position, but it is difficult for her to stay down low with her dog for too long a period. She (the handler) will be 70 this year and only started competing in flyball about 3 years ago, her first dog sport ever, and we’re just happy she is able to continue to play with our team. We also make every effort to always have more than 1 height dog on a team, since they have to take twice as many steps as the big dogs they split the races. At one of the seminars we attended in Perry we were told that sometimes you have to place the handler in the position that will be most beneficial to the handler, the canine companion, and the entire team, even if it is the start position, and we have found this combination to work well for our team. I only hope I’m still out there playing flyball at 70!

]]> By: Jackie Gillies http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1102 Jackie Gillies Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:48:21 +0000 http://www.flyballblog.com/?p=172#comment-1102 Welcome back Larry... I have to agree with you 100%...height dog or not..the Start dog should be in the best shape of all the dogs on the team. Period. I know height dogs that can start all day..both days..but they are in GREAT shape...and I have seen dogs both large and small that fit your scenario perfectly. I am still overwhelmed with the persons that run their CLEARLY overweight dogs..and do reruns until the dogs tongues are dragging on the floor. Welcome back Larry…
I have to agree with you 100%…height dog or not..the Start dog should be in the best shape of all the dogs on the team. Period. I know height dogs that can start all day..both days..but they are in GREAT shape…and I have seen dogs both large and small that fit your scenario perfectly. I am still overwhelmed with the persons that run their CLEARLY overweight dogs..and do reruns until the dogs tongues are dragging on the floor.

]]> By: Larry http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1101 Larry Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:38:43 +0000 http://www.flyballblog.com/?p=172#comment-1101 The Rat Terrier I saw was jumping 7 inch jumps. To me it doesn't matter what organization you play in 6 or 7 inch jumps and such a small dog that needs to run between the jumps and you have one tired height dogs if it's running start. The Rat Terrier I saw was jumping 7 inch jumps. To me it doesn’t matter what organization you play in 6 or 7 inch jumps and such a small dog that needs to run between the jumps and you have one tired height dogs if it’s running start.

]]> By: Robbie http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1100 Robbie Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:25:34 +0000 http://www.flyballblog.com/?p=172#comment-1100 We've been starting a height dog for quite a while. Most of this is because the dog isn't able to go into a pass, if we had a choice, we would. We've been lucky enough to run three height dogs at a time and to rotate two height dogs at start. The U-Fli measurement system levels the playing field. I've said it before. In U-Fli, it is very common that the height dog is the fastest dog on the team. The fair jump heights allows the smaller dogs to compete on an even playing field with the big dogs. I know what you mean about the Rat Terrier jumping 12 inches. That's just unfair to that dog, and the dog cannot compete with the bigger dogs. NAFA's proposal to lower jump heights by 1 inch doesn't even come close to addressing the situation. If that Rat Terrier can now jump 11, is that going to put it on a level playing field? We’ve been starting a height dog for quite a while.
Most of this is because the dog isn’t able to go into
a pass, if we had a choice, we would. We’ve been
lucky enough to run three height dogs at a time
and to rotate two height dogs at start.

The U-Fli measurement system levels the playing field.
I’ve said it before. In U-Fli, it is very common that
the height dog is the fastest dog on the team.
The fair jump heights allows the smaller dogs to
compete on an even playing field with the big dogs.

I know what you mean about the Rat Terrier jumping
12 inches. That’s just unfair to that dog, and the
dog cannot compete with the bigger dogs.
NAFA’s proposal to lower jump heights by 1 inch
doesn’t even come close to addressing the situation.
If that Rat Terrier can now jump 11, is that going
to put it on a level playing field?

]]> By: speedy http://www.flyballblog.com/height-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1099 speedy Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:21:47 +0000 http://www.flyballblog.com/?p=172#comment-1099 I agree 100% - start dogs run maybe 50% more than other dogs on the team in a tournament. if you are a great starter, doesn't matter - because the person in the lane beside you may not be. height dogs do so much work, I can't imagine asking them them to do 50% more on top of jumping their height! I agree 100% – start dogs run maybe 50% more than other dogs on the team in a tournament. if you are a great starter, doesn’t matter – because the person in the lane beside you may not be. height dogs do so much work, I can’t imagine asking them them to do 50% more on top of jumping their height!

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