Jump Heights in Practice

Submitted by Barbara Powell on Thu, 2007-02-22 14:04.

Hi Olga,

I was just listening to your discussion on Jump Height in Lesson 5 and had a question regarding consistent jump heights.

I am competing in Excellant B. In practice at home I have my jumps set at various heights with only a few at his competition height of 16". Most of my jumps are set lower (8 to 12 inches). I did that to reduce strain on him and so that I could practice certain things multiple times. I have had dogs with hip problems and am worried about putting extra stress on him (I want to be able to show him for a long time), but I like to practice and play with him in my backyard on a regular bases. If I haven't been at a class for a while and run him at 16 inches, I will set them to full height a few days before the show and run him over a course at his full height. He is almost 18 inches and has no problem with jumping at this point (I just have had a lot of bad luck with both my previous Pulik and my one-and-only border collie).

If I understood the video, I will get more speed at shows if I "show and practice" him at a consistent height. I need more speed for sure or it will take me forever to get a MACH (if my dog and I live that long). Right now in AKC, he is only 5 to 10 seconds under time (when he qualifies).

Thanks, Barbara

‹ Problem 280's with Dog jumping to long when fast Pay attention to the jump - collection following a tunnel ›
»
Olga Chaiko's picture

Re: Jump Heights in Practice

Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Fri, 2007-02-23 00:23.
Hi Barbara,

I like your considerations of practicing at lower jump height with your Puli and getting more fun and more practice with less stress.

When I was talking about running dogs at consistent jump heights in show and practice, that pertained to the dogs who are orthopedically sound. Have you had your current dog x-rayed and his hips OFA rated?

As far as getting more seconds under SCT in AKC, I think first place to look would be handling and skills. You would be surprised how much time you can save by running smarter, not faster, ;-)..

Olga.

Re: Jump Heights in Practice

Submitted by Barbara Powell on Fri, 2007-02-23 07:12.

Olga,

Thanks for your reply.  I guess, I will stick with lower jumps except for right before a show.

I think your online videos have already helped me with my handling, but I may soon show up at your Thursday night class in Canoga Park (probably after daylight saving start March 11th).  I will just bring a book and get there early--more fun then sitting in traffic; otherwise, I will invest in a DV camera and send in clips.  I have purchased lesson 1 through 9 from Eric and am working myself through them.  I just started lesson 6 today.

Chip was X-rayed when younger and I was told he had good hips, but I have never had him OFA rated.  I guess, I should.  I usually do because of problems I have had with hips in the past; but he jumps and leaps all over the place with such with ease.  I had to put up a 5 foot wire fence in front of my 3 foot retaining wall to keep him from jumping up on it to chase cats and possums.  He run and leaps in the air in the back yard chasing low flying birds.  I had to put fencing around my A-Frame, etc (to heavy for me to put away) as he would go up to the top to look around and then leap off if he saw anything interesting with no regard to height.  At show when I first get there, I have to watch him as he wants to greet people so badly that if some one even looks at him and speaks he is ready to leap in the air and lick their faces to greet them. He is the most atypical Puli you will ever meet. They are suppose to be a little reserved.

Thanks, Barbara