24" weaves - small dog people????

[Brandyb]

Ok, so with all the talk of changing the weave spacing to 24" in AAC (I believe it's already been done in AKC and CKC), can some of the small dog people (16" and under) share their experiences, likes and dislikes pertaining to running a mini with the 24" weave spacing.
I'm wondering about added course time, how the dogs react to the new distance, if any re-training was needed, and how about those (like my girl) who have a nice bounce through the weaves...is this going to add extra bounces or steps, throw off their rhythm etc?
I have never 24" spacing, so have no idea how it will affect my dog.
Thanks guys.

 

[Dekka]

I replied to the Bark List.. but here is the same reply here...

I run small dogs. Dekka is just over 11 inches tall. We also have larger dogs, I have 2 whippets and my son has BC. I do support a change to the weaves. (I think wider spacing would be the easiest from a manufacturing stand point. People have been saying ... well what about giant dogs in tunnels? A very large dog going through a tunnel is merely ducking. I see large dogs playing in the woods running and ducking... 20 feet of ducking isn't totally 'normal' but its more 'normal' than weaving. I have never seen a dog do a 'weaving' behaviour naturally. A bend and twist yes.. but that spine bent like a snake... no.

Yes dogs can get injured doing any equip. Dogs can break legs playing in the yard too. That really isn't the point here so bringing it up isn't very relevant. It is not a 'fluke' performance or an accident that injures a dog with weaving. Its doing the obstacle 'correctly' that can harm the dog.

I have no issues retraining as necessary my little dogs if it means that medium and larger dogs will be doing less damage to themselves.

 

[Brandyb]

Quick!
I completely agree with the tunnel thing - that's an odd argument for someone to use.
Just wondering if anyone has actually run the little dogs on 24" - what their experiences were. I don't think the change will happen for a little while yet, but I'd like to be prepared when it does.

 

[Dekka]

The AKC already has this spacing.. so you could ask people who do AKC agility how it is. Some people are saying the very small dogs have issues with the change. Popping out of poles and such. Personally I think it would solve Dekka's weave issue

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I think I'm for it. But I'd liek them to hurry up and decide yay or nay.. As I have 4 2x2 bases and would need new ones..

I was cranky about the snark on the bark this morning.. Dekka found a video of a 12" dog (Manchester or minpin like) weaving 20 and 24 and it really improved its performance. I'd now like to play with a set of 24s to see what changes I can see.. with my own guys.

 

[Bear Luv]

I found this on youtube, its kind of interesting, even the smaller dogs seem to have an easier time.

YouTube - 20" vs. 24" Weaves Comparison

and

YouTube - More weaves comparison

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Both of those were posted to the bark list (for AAC agility discussions) as the beginning arguments for 24" spacing. I liked the one Dekka found this afternoon though as it had a much smaller dog in it to really prove it seems to be a better change across the board.

Many of the vids I've seen focus on medium to giant dogs.. not so many little ones. Even though my guys aren't tiny it's nice to see that it appears to be an improvement for all. I wish more people had 24" spacing now to see more vids of more smaller dogs.

 

[Snip]

Maybe I should let you two chop some steel and we'll throw together a six pole set of 24" spacing poles.....nothing a few minutes with the torches won't undo later.