Can’t some of this just be common sense? Or don’t agility people really understand dogs? Is a tennis ball as a handle braided into a leash really that big of a deal? I know if I saw it becoming a problem I would either ask that my leash be dropped, discontinue using that leash or teach my dog they only get to grab the toy after they are leashed. Dogs are pretty amazing at learning if we take the time to teach and are consistent.
If I was running leashes it would be gathered up with the leash and I would present the collar loop to the handler. The dog wouldn’t even see the ball.
Maybe I just live in an area where we don’t have problem dogs or people are smart enough to keep them out of the ring until they’re ready to be there.
Gina Pizzo
Common sense? I don't mean to be rude buuuut, they write movies, books and songs about people's lack of it. At the NADAC Trainer's Seminar we talked a lot about it. I would really like to believe it's possible.....buuuut.... And, no, I don't believe that a majority of agility people *really understand* dog behavior. That has not been their focus in life like some. Most have a dog or two and enjoy playing with them. Their level of training is quite different than, say, mine, or Sharon's, or Chris', or Amanda's or most likely yours (I don't know you or your dogs, so am making a big assumption). And, yes, a tennis ball can be a pretty darn huge thing to some dogs, whether it's attached to a leash or not. It could be their most favoritist, bestest, most wonderfulest thing (IOW - obsession) in the whole wide world.
I think its great that if you noticed a problem you would have the leash dropped. Other handlers may not be quite as observant or understanding of what behavior the dog is truly exhibiting and may *not* ask the unwary, innocent leash runner to drop it. Or, maybe the handler *thinks* they *are* training the dog to leave the leash runner alone - but just this ooooone time the dog just gets too darn excited and - whomp, chomp! Once again, we're probably not talking about you......
As far as just presenting the loop end and "hiding" the ball/toy.... You said dogs are pretty amazing at learning, and I totally agree. Let's pretend - this is the first time I have the ball attached to my leash at a trial. I have my young dog today. Yay! I've entered him in all 8 classes today - we're gonna have fun! Before I go into the ring I may show the dog the toy, and far enough away from the ring I might even let him play with it. He knows its there now. I'd bet that after about the third run today, where as soon as we get 10' from the ring he gets to play with that toy, he *KNOWS* its there. My puppy ain't stupid!

And I'd bet a lot of other highly excited, over the top, ball/toy crazy dogs know it too. As a leash runner, I'm not even going to *try* and hide this thing. Nope, no way. Do I trust a stranger's training to keep my body parts safe from harm? Nope, no way.
I'd love to live in a place where there are no problem dogs and all the people have common sense! Where is this? I'm getting a moving van and coming there!

Again, just my humble opinion,
Kyle