On the topic of older dogs running, I have a question and I would like your input, Sharon. Someone told me (I don't remember who right now) that the tunnelers class is one of the hardest on older dogs. I'm not sure why that conclusion was reached. I can only guess it might be because of the turns in tunnels or running on the tunnel ribs??? I'd be interested to know. Whisk will be 11 in May, and still loves to run. I will enter him in no more than 3 runs a day, with at least 1 of the runs being without jumps. I always thought tunnelers would be easier on his body, but maybe I'm wrong. I also don't enter him in weavers anymore due to his history of carpal injuries. I also am careful about running him this time of year because I have no access to any kind of agility conditioning. Once Ted's dog trail firms up enough so he's not punching through, I can take him on walks, but that's about it.
Any and all input is welcome!
Thanks!
Shirley
That is TOTALLY dependent upon the individual dog, their temperament and their structure. If the dog runs with a bit of recklessness or with too much enthusiasm when they see a ring full of tunnels, then Tunnelers might not be the best choice for the older dog. Another dog it might be Jumpers, another Touch N Go.
If your dog starts to have an adrenaline rise because of the particular obstacle (or agility in general) then their pain threshold also rises and they will not take care of themselves then if they enter the ring without a rise in adrenaline.
For some dogs, Tunnelers is by far the best class for them as they are older.......... for others it is Jumpers.
There is NO answer, it is all about the individual dog.
Since the one dog died in the tunnel at an International event, tunnels are really starting to get a bad rap about their safety and many people are really coming up with personal opinions about the safety of tunnels. As it turned out, the tunnel had nothing to do with the dog's passing, as he had a massive heart failure and he happened to go down in the tunnel. It has a lot more to do with the massive high the dog was on during the previous 5-6 obstacles when he was running quite crazed like.
If you dog runs like a rapid rabbit through the tunnels, then I would cut back to only the few tunnels seen within the mix of the other classes. If they SLAM onto the A-frame, then I would cut back on Touch N Go first. If they have a bad jumping style, then cut out Jumpers first and maybe not run Regular if there is an excess of jumps in a particular round. If they move the weave pole while weaving then Weavers would be cut out first.
For each individual dog there will be obstacles that are "better" or "worse" for them to take in repetition. That will be based on their temperament, conformation, the way in which they personally perform each obstacle and also maybe the running surface of the trials you attend. But there is no general guidelines that cover all dogs. I have had two dogs that Weavers was by far the best class for them. They remained supple (they NEVER slammed a weave pole in their lives) and weaving was the best exercise for them to keep them flexible and moving freely.
You have to reach your own conclusions based on your own dog and their personality, build and obstacle performance.
Sharon
