How to train for low measurements?

SheepOfBlue · May 22, 2012

This is for the 'other' sport but the effect is the same and there is more agility people sooooo...

How can you train your dog for the lowest measurement? Spitfire has a lot of training to do still before he starts but the 'little' bugger had a growth spurt and might have gone from 12.5 to over 14 :gaah

He is 11 months so I am hoping for post puppy shrinkage and a bit of training to get him to measure in the 13's

So any tips?

Spitfire thanks you as do all the team dogs that get to jump an inch lower :winkgrin:

Chris · May 22, 2012

I personally recommend tying a brick to his back. :lol:

SheepOfBlue · May 22, 2012

The only one I have heard so far is to stand out front of the dog as much as possible.

helps · May 22, 2012

Probably not much you can do if he's too tall. I've also heard only about standing out dog's front, but it won't help much.

take4roll10 · May 22, 2012

Bailey is exactly on the 14 inch line. I also need her to measure under 14 inches, so she can jump 12 inches.

At our first agility trial, she measured 13 7/8...phew!

I don't know any tips on how to make your dog stand shorter, but I was told to strip the fur around their withers. I'm not really sure how to do that, so if anyone knows, let us know.

Calliesmom · May 22, 2012

depending on the measuring device- get him used to it early.
and the stacking- depends on who does the measuring- only so much you can do if the judge/measurer adjusts the stance.
I really wish the pups had been old enough to get measured last year- judge was awesome- calmed the dogs, very gentle and slow with the wicket. guess it really doesn't matter- they both measured into 16' jump height anyway.

Our club has an AKC wicket and I practiced with the pups but even with that- at Sheltie Nationals, their wicket made 'whooshing' sounds- pretty much freaked Dixie out. so her measurement wasn't the best but since she is definitely over 14 and under 18- it really didn't matter.

I did hear the VMO tell one of the other exhibitors whose dog was close to the 14" line that she could get another measurement and hopefully get under 14.

Jaynie · May 23, 2012

I've never heard of anyone getting their dog to measure LOWER, but I successfully taught Neechee to measure HIGHER.

When standing normally at rest, he was 12 3/4 inches tall, which was 1/4 inch too short to compete in UKC obedience, since they must measure within the breed standard.

We were disqualified at our first UKC event because one of the other competitors accused him of not measuring in. Bad sportsmanship, in my opinion, as Neechee had just run a score of 198/200 and the accuser's dog -a beat-up looking pit bull- had second place at 180/200. It was a specialty for pit bulls (they were an approved breed by UKC) and a friend had heard him complaining that another breed shouldn't be allowed to win in any class.

I went home and, not knowing if I would even continue to show him at UKC events (turns out I wouldn't, as I found most of them were run under pretty sketchy circumstances.) I taught him to "stand tall". He caught on very well, except it backfired on me when he started agility. He'd stiffen himself and stand tall every time he even SAW anyone with a wicket coming towards him. <sigh> :ick

Aearoniel · May 23, 2012

With my Cocker I successfully got her to measure lower for agility, she was right on the border between Kennel Club Small (35cm) and Medium (35+).

I got her to lie down, then stand using a motion which meant her feet stayed still and her body swung up. Making sure her head was level and not raised up.

Under KC rules you can ask that you position your dog, for example if they are timid or especially wriggly when touched by other people. Can you do that?

Sharon · May 23, 2012

Measuring

Jaynie said:
I've never heard of anyone getting their dog to measure LOWER, but I successfully taught Neechee to measure HIGHER.

When standing normally at rest, he was 12 3/4 inches tall, which was 1/4 inch too short to compete in UKC obedience, since they must measure within the breed standard.

We were disqualified at our first UKC event because one of the other competitors accused him of not measuring in. Bad sportsmanship, in my opinion, as Neechee had just run a score of 198/200 and the accuser's dog -a beat-up looking pit bull- had second place at 180/200. It was a specialty for pit bulls (they were an approved breed by UKC) and a friend had heard him complaining that another breed shouldn't be allowed to win in any class.

I went home and, not knowing if I would even continue to show him at UKC events (turns out I wouldn't, as I found most of them were run under pretty sketchy circumstances.) I taught him to "stand tall". He caught on very well, except it backfired on me when he started agility. He'd stiffen himself and stand tall every time he even SAW anyone with a wicket coming towards him. <sigh>

Usally for agility(not sure on Flyball) some people want their dogs to mesure lower so they can jump a certain height especially for people who have wicked talented dogs and want to try out for the World Team.

Tagg · May 23, 2012

I gotta say it, why would you want to cheat? This is so reminiscent of pony measuring that I am cringing just reading it. Your dog is what it is. I can see why wanting to measure up a small amount to allow the dog to perform if it is physically capable but to measure down so it is easier for your dog than the rest of the competitors - well, it is just wrong.