corbinam
Moderator
I like the table because I think it demonstrates control--but again, I come from a USDAA perspective where a down is still required. Speed is great, but speed plus control is amazing to watch.
AKC thinking of getting rid of the table?
- Thread starter Silaria
- Start date
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
There is no control demonstrated in AKC at the table anymore. It's just a waste of five seconds.
Silaria
Forums Sage
Ashley, if AKC still required a down on the table I'd agree with you. Unfortunately the positionless table removes that level of control. Without that position requirement I have to agree with the others, it's just five wasted seconds.
That's gone as of September actually. USDAA is also going to a positionless table.
Silaria
Forums Sage
Are you kidding me? What is the point of the table if it's positionless? When in September is this supposed to happen because my club has a USDAA trial in September.
I really can't complain too much because TDAA is slowly eliminating the table. Currently it's only 'suggested' to have it in 50% of the standard runs. When it is present, one of three positions is required - sit, down or stand - as determined by the judge.
I'm assuming the beginning of September. I've been told this was happening by quite a few exhibitors and trainers, but there's nothing on their website yet. My daughter can't get her poor dog to lay down on a table to save her life, so she's looking forward to the change
Tabitha
Forums Enthusiast
I'm going to chime in again and say AKC should just do what USDAA is/was doing with down or sit. All the complaints of the table are mostly control, or lack of. In my way of thinking wouldn't it be easier to FIX the problem?
There's a saying that I use very frequently, 'If somthin' ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!'. AKC changed something that was working fine. As for dogs falling off of it, use carpet. A very easy and simple little fix. And raise it up! There are so many things you can do to fix a problem, but sometimes that problem wouldn't BE there if some one didn't try to change something that was working fine.
Seems ridicules to me.
There's a saying that I use very frequently, 'If somthin' ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!'. AKC changed something that was working fine. As for dogs falling off of it, use carpet. A very easy and simple little fix. And raise it up! There are so many things you can do to fix a problem, but sometimes that problem wouldn't BE there if some one didn't try to change something that was working fine.
Seems ridicules to me.
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
Carpet isn't a good idea. There is good reason it's not used. Dogs would burn their paws sliding across it. The fast dogs do bad enough going on rubber matting. Not to mention most of the tables are already rubberized, and if rubber which is stickier than paint/sand, it's unlikely that carpet is going to stop them either.
Just curious, why do you think we need to keep the table as opposed to just getting rid of it all together? It is the most useless piece of equipment on the course, and I'd say probably 90% of those competing wouldn't miss it... not just because now so many haven't bothered to train a position, but because it's just stupid to stop and hang around for 5 seconds on course in a sport that should be about speed, and handling.
It could stand to be raised for the 12" class, but it would need to stay lower for the 4 and 8" dogs. I do wonder though if a 12" class corgi or valhund could manage to jump up onto the 16" table...
Just curious, why do you think we need to keep the table as opposed to just getting rid of it all together? It is the most useless piece of equipment on the course, and I'd say probably 90% of those competing wouldn't miss it... not just because now so many haven't bothered to train a position, but because it's just stupid to stop and hang around for 5 seconds on course in a sport that should be about speed, and handling.
It could stand to be raised for the 12" class, but it would need to stay lower for the 4 and 8" dogs. I do wonder though if a 12" class corgi or valhund could manage to jump up onto the 16" table...
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Tabitha
Forums Enthusiast
Like I said, there are so many things you can do to fix a problem. Maybe carpet isn't the answer, but there are plenty of other things you can do. And any performance dog should know how to do basic commands, i.e. sit, stay, and down, in the heat of the moment. I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just giving my opinion on the matter. So I will say it again, I like the table because it demonstrates control. But only if used properly. AKC is going about it in the wrong way.
I really hope there are no hard feelings on this. It would be a pretty crappy way to go about not liking someone.
Tabs
Silaria
Forums Sage
Tabitha, I'm not sure how familiar you are with AKC agility but the positionless table has only been in affect for about 1.5 to 2 years now. Before that a down was required. It was changed to positionless because handlers couldn't get their dogs to do a down on the table. They'd waste a lot of time fighting with the dog which added a LOT of length to an already long trial. The switch to positionless was an attempt to speed up the trial.
As far as I can tell, the members of the forum who compete in AKC, myself included, don't agree with that and feel it should have a behavior attached to it or done away with completely. (If I'm wrong with that statement everyone please forgive me. I'm basing it on what I've read.)