Because you challenged the judge on the moment to think... he/she actually didn't think through the performance and probably made an on the spot decision that led to error in the call of this class.

In most venues the fabric on the ground is considered to be a part of the ground and so the dog should *not* be faulted for running over it. However, if the dog jumps over the barrel or the portion of the fabric that elevates from the ground to the barrel, then the performance should be deemed a wrong course.

Just to clarify, I am most current with USDAA, TDAA & JFF rules. I don't know where the AKC might have drifted in their thinking... and who knows what craziness is contemplated in NADAC. And if you are in Australia or New Zealand... or some other far away and exotic place... then it doesn't help to explain to you how we would do it in the United States.

The really interesting thing about the sequence is what the handling implications might be. Consider even that because the judge has threatened an NQ for touching the fabric of the chute. The handler shapes and is responsible for the path of the dog. How does the handler solve? It appears quite simple to me. Does anybody want to offer an answer?

Regards,
Bud Houston

Because you challenged the judge on the moment to think... he/she actually didn't think through the performance and probably made an on the spot decision that led to error in the call of this class.

In most venues the fabric on the ground is considered to be a part of the ground and so the dog should *not* be faulted for running over it. However, if the dog jumps over the barrel or the portion of the fabric that elevates from the ground to the barrel, then the performance should be deemed a wrong course.

Just to clarify, I am most current with USDAA, TDAA & JFF rules. I don't know where the AKC might have drifted in their thinking... and who knows what craziness is contemplated in NADAC. And if you are in Australia or New Zealand... or some other far away and exotic place... then it doesn't help to explain to you how we would do it in the United States.

The really interesting thing about the sequence is what the handling implications might be. Consider even that because the judge has threatened an NQ for touching the fabric of the chute. The handler shapes and is responsible for the path of the dog. How does the handler solve? It appears quite simple to me. Does anybody want to offer an answer?

Regards,
Bud Houston

Hi Bud 

Yes this is ANKC and there is nothing in our rule book that states anywhere that a dog touching the chute on the ground is a NQ fault - but I really didn't have an issue with it as the judge made it clear from the beginning - they will NQ your dog if the dog touches the chute (fair enough really - it should be considered no differently if a dog puts a paw on the dogwalk or jumps over a flexi tunnel to get to the next obstacle). So everyone knew that they should handle it so the dog doesn't cross over the chute.

It was handled in two ways both equally successful - the majority handled jump #10 with the dogs on their right out the flexi tunnel - a slight rfp to ensure the dog took the line to the jump rather than in the chute tunnel, and then the handler ran straight until the dog was past the end of the chute and then did a quick tandem turn to their right to get the dog to #11.

The dog that won 1st place was handled like this - a few other successful handlers sent the dog onto #8 (dog was again on their right) and then out to the flexi tunnel entry at #9 whilst they hung back and did a front cross as they were coming out the flexi, gave a clear verbal and physical cue to take jump #10 and then held their arm signal out until the dog was past the end of the chute then they simply dropped their arm and called the dog round on their left to do jump #11.

Both worked quite well when executed in a well timed and clear fashion.

I saw one handler completely overhandle the #9 tunnel to the #10 jump doing an extreme RFP which caused the dog to pull right into him and then too late he gave the signal to take jump #10 whilst the dog was now on an angle which made it virtually impossible for her to avoid touching the chute when she landed. Then another handler with the dog on her left over jump10 kept her arm out but gave a strong lateral cue with her body towards #11 causing the dog to know exactly where she was heading to and she pulled in and ran straight across the end of the chute. SO really for most of the fast dogs being handled on that course you did feel like you had to keep them in the dark about where they were heading until they had their body past the end of the chute.

Cheers

Simone 

Here in Canada in AAC, if the dog runs on the chute material it is called as 5 faults but not an elimination (off course).

 Wendy

this looks like a great course to practice your gambles. I will set it up for my competiton group this week

Jane