Mini Dog
Should I use a Mini Dog agility A-frame, or a standard one? (Same goes for a dog walk too)?
I’ve been doing agility with my dog. She only knows some things, and I want to add an A-frame or a dog walk to my backyard collection. I would like to compete with her someday, so I’m trying to train her as if she were in a real competition (with the competition grade hurdles, weave poles, etc). Does that mean I should get a standard dog walk/ A-frame, or does it matter?
Actually, while the question is a good one, I think you’re analyzing it wrong. Here’s why:
–you can get a standard dog walk, teeter, A-frame and pause table. And then see your dog go to a trial and balk at all of that equipment. It’s because there are still tremendous variations in equipment. It will smell differently. The location will be different. The environmental distractions will be different.
–when you start practicing, you don’t want to start at full height anyway (for the teeter, dog walk and A-frame). Until you’re sure your dog is confident on the apparatus and knows where her rear feet are, you don’t want her falling off a dog walk and then you’ve might have 6 months of corrective work to get her to go on (or not freeze up when you send her to it). You’ll want to lower it. And, if you’re not doing running contacts, you’ll rarely want to practice with at full height anyway (to reduce force on your dog’s joints on the 2o2o).
–the biggest issues aren’t having regulation equipment, it’s access to practice. Now, if you have a flat backyard with lots of room and a shed to store it in and a full budget, than blow a wad on getting regulation equipment for everything including 2 tunnels of different colors and 3 different types of weave poles (one set of PVC, two of metal one of which converts to channels and all having different striping). But I doubt you have all that space and money. So here’s your choice that you face. If you get a regulation A-frame, you either need to leave it set up all the time (killing the grass under it and creating a mud pit) or get help taking it up and down (a bear) or rarely use it. I built a regulation A-frame from Jim Hutchin’s book (Do it yourself Agility Equipment) and I use it about once a month because it’s such a hassle to haul out and setup, even with an A-frame mover. For two adult males (to take it out of a shed, move it and set it up), it’s a real job. Dog walks are lighter but still usually require 2 people to move and set up or it’s also very time consuming (1 person can do it but it’s not easy).
The single biggest issue I find for practicing on my equipment is setup and take down (and then storage). I spend more time setting up equipment, tearing it down and storing it than I do actually running courses.
I’m not a big fan of contact trainer (a mini-A-frame and dog walk) but it really comes down to why you need the equipment. Silvia Trkman is one of the best agility competitors in the world (from Slovenia). She spends almost no time working her dogs on the equipment. She spends a lot of time though taking her dogs hiking, working on tricks and handling in her apartment. Having equipment is over-rated. It’s nice to have and it’s better than not having it. But the issues my dog and I have had at various times have NEVER been because we didn’t have regulation equipment. And I almost never found that having all the equipment in my backyard was a big advantage.
My advice: have some jumps, a set of weaves and a board to practice contact with. Having regulation contact equipment isn’t a bad thing, it just isn’t that important. And then do at least 50% of your training at foreign places (parks, other people’s backyards, at a dog facility, field) where there is equipment or you haul stuff there. The biggest challenge you’ll face is not your dog being unfamiliar with the equipment, it’s your dog performing in new space and new surroundings. And as you can probably imagine, you’re not going to haul your teeter, dog walk, A-frame and pause table to a park or field.
MINI the unofficial smallest dog in the WORLD!
|
|
Ateco 5357 11 Piece Plain Round Cutter Set $12.64 Ateco s/s 11-piece plain edge round biscuit cutter set great set to use when making biscuits. the graduated sizes in this set are 3/4″ to 3-5/8″. stainless steel construction ensures neat, even cuts. model #: 5357 material: stainless steel color: silver set of 11 cutters size range: 7/8″ to 3-3/4″ shipping weight: .2.3 lb made in china 275008… |
|
|
Wilton 2304-1050 101-Piece Cookie Cutter Set $11.15 Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day…cookie cutters for every season, and more! With a complete set of letters and numbers, designs for cowboys, stars, cars and animals, you’ll be ready for any occasion. Durable plastic cutters come in a convenient storage container. Hand wash. (2-1/2 to 6-1/4)… |
|
|
Kidco Babysteps Electric Food Mill $25.98 This compact and handy appliance blends and purees fresh foods into healthy meals for your baby. Features a 2 cup bowl, non-skid bottom, turbo button for pulsating rotations, blending attachment for moe thorough mixing. Dishwasher safe – except for motor/housing…. |
|
|
Looney Tunes: Golden Collection, Vol. 6 $24.36 Fifteen cartoons dating from World War II give Volume 6 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection more focus than previous sets. Many of the 1940′s cartoons remain very funny. Bugs Bunny dresses up as Brunnhilda and rides in to the strains of “Tannhauser” in “Herr Meets Hare” (1945), a gag Chuck Jones re-used to greater effect in “What’s Opera, Doc” a dozen years later. In “Russian Rhapsody” (1940… |
|
|
Backtracks (2CD+DVD) $22.93 Detailed item info Track listing DISC 1: 1. Stick Around 2. Love Song 3. Fling Thing 4. R.I.P. (Rock In Peace) 5. Carry Me Home 6. Crabsody In Blue 7. Cold Hearted Man 8. Snake Eye 9. Borrowed Time 10. Down On the Borderline 11. Big Gun 12. Cyberspace DISC 2: |
|
|
12 Pack Kids Party Favor Super Songs CD (Packaged in carrying case with Stickers, Crayons and Coloring Book) $34.50 This 12 Pack Kids Party Favor Super Songs CD will be a big hit at your next birthday party. This party favor set includes 12 individual activity kits. Each kit has: 1 CD with 50 Super Songs that kids are sure to love (see track listing for entire list of songs), Stickers, Crayons and a Coloring Book all packaged in a convenient carrying case. This product is a perfect party favor to hand out at yo… |
|
|
Disney’s Mini Classics Collection (3pk): Mickey’s Magical World, Prince and the Pauper, Mickey & the Beanstalk This pack of 3 videos has three favorite Disney videos. Sometimes referred to as Mini Classics, other times as Favorite Stories, but still are the same. Each is about 24 to 29 minutes…. |
|
|
Master Cutlery HK-106320 Outdoor Fixed Blade Knife, 7.5-Inch Overall $4.95 This is the Mini Full Tang Survival Knife Magnesium Fire Starter. The Blade of the knife has been constructed from 440 Stainless Steel with a tanto point. The sheath is tough green nylon with a belt loop. The knife includes a magnesium rod fire starter…. |
|
|
Fulcrum 30010-301 LED Battery-Operated Stick-On Tap Light, 3 Pack $5.99 Sold as each. 3 pack. Ultra bright energy efficient LED stick-on lights. Provides reliable lighting solution for just about anywhere. Mounts with supplied adhesive tape. Tap on/off fixture. Uses (3) AAA batteries not included. Silver. Clamshell. Manufacturer number: 30010-301. Country of origin: China…. |
|
|
Orbit 20066 Portable 1/4-Inch Outdoor Mist Cooling System $12.03 1/4″ kit installs in less than 10 minutes. Attaches to any garden hose. 10′ of mist cooling. Includes: (1) 20′ of 1/4″ mist tubing with fittings and hose adapter, (5) brass misting nozzles, (5) hanging snap clips, (1) hose adapter washer…. |
|
|
DOG FLEECE JACKET-MINI $10.71 DOG FLEECE JACKET-MINI |
|
|
DOG MOLLY JACKET-MINI $8.72 DOG MOLLY JACKET-MINI |
|
|
DOG JERSEY JACKET-MINI $8.62 DOG JERSEY JACKET-MINI |
|
|
DOG SWEATER-RED-MINI $4.71 DOG SWEATER-RED-MINI |
|
|
DOG SWEATER-BEIGE-MINI $4.71 DOG SWEATER-BEIGE-MINI |
|
|
DOG SWEATER-BLACK-MINI $4.71 DOG SWEATER-BLACK-MINI |
|
|
DOG SWEATER L -MINI $4.71 DOG SWEATER L -MINI |
|
|
DOG JACKET A -MINI $10.56 DOG JACKET A -MINI |
|
|
Pedigree Mini Marrobone Dog Treats $3.99 Pedigree Mini Marrobone Dog Treats |
|
|
Artwork in Mini Frame: ”American Dog” $38.09 Artwork in Mini Frame: ”American Dog” |
|
|
DOG NYLON COAT-BLUE-MINI $10.56 DOG NYLON COAT-BLUE-MINI |
|
|
DOG RED STARBRGHT SWEATER-MINI $4.56 DOG RED STARBRGHT SWEATER-MINI |
|
|
DOG NEW WAVE SWEATER-MINI $5.22 DOG NEW WAVE SWEATER-MINI |
|
|
DOG FLEECE/WOOL COAT-MINI $10.56 DOG FLEECE/WOOL COAT-MINI |
|
|
Mini Cool Chew Dog Toy $3.4 The Mini Cool Chew Dog toy is a fabric toy. |
|
|
Mini Steel Dog Bed 24L x 15W $64.99 Mini Steel Dog Bed 24L x 15W |
|
|
Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food $13.49 Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food |
|
|
Pedigree Mini DentaStix Dog Chew Treat $5.15 Pedigree Mini DentaStix Dog Chew Treat |
|
|
Pedigree Mini Jumbone Dog Chew Treat $6 Pedigree Mini Jumbone Dog Chew Treat |
|
|
Royal Canin Mini Breed Yorkshire Dog (28) $18.29 Royal Canin Mini Breed Yorkshire Dog (28) |
|
|
Royal Canin Mini Breed Special Dog $51.99 Royal Canin Mini Breed Special Dog |
|
|
Zuke’s Chicken Mini Naturals Dog Treats $10.34 Zuke’s Chicken Mini Naturals Dog Treats |
|
|
Zuke’s Peanut Butter Mini Naturals Dog Treats $10.34 Zuke’s Peanut Butter Mini Naturals Dog Treats |
|
|
Zuke’s Salmon Mini Naturals Dog Treats $4.7 Zuke’s Salmon Mini Naturals Dog Treats |
|
|
Purina Busy Bone Mini ChewBone Dog Treats $4.69 Purina Busy Bone Mini ChewBone Dog Treats |
|
|
Mini Bean Newborn Girl Dog Pantset $999999 Mini Bean Newborn Girl Dog Pantset |
|
|
Totes Micro Mini Raining Dog Umbrella $9.99 Totes Micro Mini Raining Dog Umbrella |
|
|
Petstages Mini Orka Dog Chew Toy $3.99 Petstages Mini Orka Dog Chew Toy |
|
|
Royal Canin Mini Breed Puppy Dog (33) $14.99 Royal Canin Mini Breed Puppy Dog (33) |
