Large Dog agility people....

[Brandyb]

Would like to know what your best and worst pieces of equipment are, and what you feel you need to work on more when running a larger dog (over 16" jump heights).
I'm taking the dive, once again, with hubby's dog in a level 1 class, and because I run Brandy in, originally 10" reg. and now 6" special, this is going to be a big change for me. He can do minor jump tunnel sequences, has an awesome table, but I'm finding the dog walk (teeter) and the weaves (of course) to be a lot more trouble. I foresee no problems with the frame though. He's 23" tall, but can probably only jump 16" comfortably (he's heavily built).
He has a large stride, but seems to be able to collect himself quite well (even though he is very spastic).
Thanks guys.

[Dekka]

How big is big dog? Is a largish BC big?

If so Sports biggest issue compared to the JRTs is body awareness. He knows he has a head and front feet, but we have been doing work to help him realize he has a caboose too!

So that makes contact obstacles for him a bit trickier.

[Brandyb]

Yes, largish BC is big enough for me height-wise, thanks.

Ok, body awareness is definitely a MAJOR issue with this dog, and I believe the same as you, that it makes the contacts, like the thinner dog-walk and teeter, that much more difficult. It also means he's a bit of a bar knocker.

Never had body issues like that with Bran (it's like she was born on an agility course LOL) and have yet to see a smaller dog with that kind of issue (unless it's a very young pup) to the same extent of that in some larger breeds.

The jumping with collection and extension practice has seemed to help slightly - I've warned my trainer of this guys idiosyncrasies, so she's well aware of what we're dealing with here (the fear, the focus, the drool oh my).

Anything else that I should be more aware of with larger breeds running agility (especially heavier breeds like bullies, lads, goldens etc)? Equipment issues etc?

[SisMorphine]

Truthfully I've never run a small dog, so I don't know what their issues would be versus a big dog. Teeny's biggest issue is needing to touch me at all times, but that isn't exactly a "big dog specific" issue. She has been well trained on contacts, takes jumps like a pro, and can turn on a dime. Our biggest agility issues revolve around me, not her

[Brandyb]

Thanks Sis. He's an OEB, so similar to your guys, and he's always had that needy tendency, though I can send him out over a jump, and he knows that the word "go" means move away from me, but I'll keep an eye out for that issue as well.

[tessa_s212]

Marq is 62 lbs, 26.5 in tall.

Difficulties we had:
table (HATED having to down on a table with his bony elbows)
weaves (getting his long body through there was difficult, he'd often pop out)


He's never had a problem with any contact equipment, etc. And he's about as dumb and goofy as they get. We did running contacts even, never ever ever missed one because of his own chosen natural stride on contact equipment.

[SisMorphine]

Originally Posted by Brandyb

Thanks Sis. He's an OEB, so similar to your guys, and he's always had that needy tendency, though I can send him out over a jump, and he knows that the word "go" means move away from me, but I'll keep an eye out for that issue as well.

Getting her to work away from me is hard, but usually I can send her out, she just IMMEDIATELY comes flying back to me! The one thing we are working on is that if I am too slow and hold my hand down too low when I'm pointing she will literally run up and put my finger in her mouth. Everytime. And it's not that she is looking for treats, she just HAS to be touching me and since that appendage is the closest, why not put it in her mouth. Working on having her work further away from me is key, definitely, so if your boy can do that you're a step ahead of us. LOL!

[Brandyb]

Originally Posted by tessa_s212

Marq is 62 lbs, 26.5 in tall.

Difficulties we had:
table (HATED having to down on a table with his bony elbows)
weaves (getting his long body through there was difficult, he'd often pop out)
He's never had a problem with any contact equipment, etc. And he's about as dumb and goofy as they get. We did running contacts even, never ever ever missed one because of his own chosen natural stride on contact equipment.

Thanks for the reply.
Table is good for us, but I have had problems with weaves - even 2x2's - Yikes - the big body thing. He bends, but not that well...
Yours can't be dumber and goofier than mine! LOL - he takes the cake, and the drool just ads to his facade - LOL

[Brandyb]

Originally Posted by SisMorphine

Getting her to work away from me is hard, but usually I can send her out, she just IMMEDIATELY comes flying back to me! The one thing we are working on is that if I am too slow and hold my hand down too low when I'm pointing she will literally run up and put my finger in her mouth. Everytime. And it's not that she is looking for treats, she just HAS to be touching me and since that appendage is the closest, why not put it in her mouth. Working on having her work further away from me is key, definitely, so if your boy can do that you're a step ahead of us. LOL!

Oh man, the finger in the mouth is hilarious!
He definitely doesn't need to be touching me at all...he just likes to cling a bit, but he's also fairly outwardly focused...odd combination. Seems to cling more when on the right as opposed to left - still a little rusty on that side.

[SpringerLover]

My tallest is 20.5" and our biggest problem was the weave spacing. The wider spaced they are, the easier he can weave.