Our classes tend to focus heavily on international style challenges. Probably do more of that than anything else. Likely why we've been successful in competing in them too.
european handling systems
- Thread starter SheltieChe
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Our classes tend to focus heavily on international style challenges. Probably do more of that than anything else. Likely why we've been successful in competing in them too.
Silaria
Forums Sage
Please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm failing at using Google to locate this information but... isn't the Sheltie that won Cruft's Small Dog Agility this year from the US? If that's true, then some handlers have international courses figured out.
But, to get back on topic, I'd be interested in hearing about some of the training systems used outside the US and Canada. We haven't really discussed how the training differs between countries before.
European Handling
You know I don't know about a sheltie from USA winning small dog.I just saw that Tori Self with her BC was 2nd in jumpimg with a time of 32.78 and the winner was from the Netherlands with a time of 32.68 so Susan Garett should not make comments like that.
You know I don't know about a sheltie from USA winning small dog.I just saw that Tori Self with her BC was 2nd in jumpimg with a time of 32.78 and the winner was from the Netherlands with a time of 32.68 so Susan Garett should not make comments like that.
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
I hate blind crosses, they make me gasp 
but what do I know, lol, I am beginner
I just wanna have fun with my dog
I am REALLLLLY hoping to meet up with our own Sheltie forum member LunaticFace and her awesome girl Face in Germany in May at a competition!!!
I will take lotsa videos to share, if we can hook up. I do think they have different style courses aka FAST and TIGHT.
I am sure they have similar challenges just like we do, and look at northamerica like wow, they have it together over there with this super popular sport over there...
grass is always greener across the ocean, I say!
but what do I know, lol, I am beginner
I just wanna have fun with my dog
I am REALLLLLY hoping to meet up with our own Sheltie forum member LunaticFace and her awesome girl Face in Germany in May at a competition!!!
I will take lotsa videos to share, if we can hook up. I do think they have different style courses aka FAST and TIGHT.
I am sure they have similar challenges just like we do, and look at northamerica like wow, they have it together over there with this super popular sport over there...
grass is always greener across the ocean, I say!
Silaria
Forums Sage
OK, now that I'm home I was able to find the information I was looking for. Bernadette Bay (O'Bay Shelties) won the Cruft's Small Dog Agility with Zaz (http://youtu.be/IkuxeH_euPg). She's originally from Long Island, NY but now lives in West Sussex, England.
So I was half right. I did hear the announcer say something about the US in regards to Zaz but it must have been the Bernadette moved from the US to England.
SheltieChe
Forums Sage
or quietly snickering behind the scenes at americans
Being in recallers has been a tremendous blessing from the standpoint of meeting people from all over the world. And it is amazing how people from so various backgrounds and training perspectives can be so supportive and respectful to each other. Considering how many agility forums on the net are full of poison and snarky sharky comments, it is just unbelieavable how nice recallers community supports and enjoys each other knowledge. And regarding Susan's comment I suppose one has to hang around her to understand that it was meant as "Yes, those competitors in Europe are good, they have some great things going, plenty for us to learn". Just as Martina Klimesova was a SG student and now she comes and teaches at Say Yes it is all about learning.
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It's difficult to expect to be successful at something that has high expectations of skill if you don't have experience, especially if you are trying to compete at something in which the competition has much more experience.
Not only are the demographics of the general agility population (handlers & most dogs) in the U.S. different but the competition venues (not just course design but also the recreational vs. competitive nature) in the U.S. have an influence.
ISC & IHC have given us a flavor but their infrequency of availability still leaves a void.
USDAA recently decided to introduce a Masters Challenge class inspired from IHC for clubs who opt to offer it but quickly watered it down. E.g. By reducing
YPS requirements for Q's. Agility isn't just speed & isn't just maintaining control of your dogs path -- at intl level you need both. The MC class thus falls short for intl prep. & instead opts to cater to a wider population consistent with agility in general in the U.S.
Not only are the demographics of the general agility population (handlers & most dogs) in the U.S. different but the competition venues (not just course design but also the recreational vs. competitive nature) in the U.S. have an influence.
ISC & IHC have given us a flavor but their infrequency of availability still leaves a void.
USDAA recently decided to introduce a Masters Challenge class inspired from IHC for clubs who opt to offer it but quickly watered it down. E.g. By reducing
YPS requirements for Q's. Agility isn't just speed & isn't just maintaining control of your dogs path -- at intl level you need both. The MC class thus falls short for intl prep. & instead opts to cater to a wider population consistent with agility in general in the U.S.
That's true. But I feel like there are also more or less major differences in courses and handling systems in Europe.
We Austrians, for example, love to handle in front of the dog and we use a lot of blind crosses and other turns like "Ketschker" or "Change" (dunno how you call them in the US). The British handlers I know are quite the contrary, they love to stay behind the dogs and handle very conventional.
I'm not saying that all Austrians (or British) handle the same. But I think there are some typical regional tendencies in Europe.
That's true. But I feel like there are also more or less major differences in courses and handling systems in Europe.
We Austrians, for example, love to handle in front of the dog and we use a lot of blind crosses and other turns like "Ketschker" or "Change" (dunno how you call them in the US). The British handlers I know are quite the contrary, they love to stay behind the dogs and handle very conventional.
I'm not saying that all Austrians (or British) handle the same. But I think there are some typical regional tendencies in Europe.
You're right I very much handle from the rear and send the dog round the course rather than handling from in front of the dog. I never do rear crosses I wouldn't think about putting one in, or in what situation I'd do one!
I think it's about how you're taught, I'm taught by people who handle from the rear so I'm likely to do that too
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
Ketschker has been popping up around here recently. However, there aren't a whole lot of opportunities in traditional AKC courses to make use of it. There was one spot on the ISC JWW course that I think would've made good sense, but really there aren't many opportunities for it here.
Could you explain change? It sounds a lot like what here is often called switch.
I also handle a lot being ahead of the dog. It's my personal preference whenever possible. I feel working ahead of my dog I can get better speed by them having to chase me. I use a lot of distance and front crosses to stay ahead.
Could you explain change? It sounds a lot like what here is often called switch.
I also handle a lot being ahead of the dog. It's my personal preference whenever possible. I feel working ahead of my dog I can get better speed by them having to chase me. I use a lot of distance and front crosses to stay ahead.