Weaving: two foot vs. one foot

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We've been working on weave poles, and I'm noticing that my dog is gravitating to the two foot method of weaving instead of the one foot. In addition, he's really adding a lot of bounce into his weaves. Any thoughts on how to make his weaves smoother/faster? Thanks!
 
Honestly, with the new weave spacing I think it is hard to find a sheltie (at least a standard sized sheltie) who is able to single step through the weaves. It takes a pretty long stride to be able to do that. I would hazard a guess to say that the majority of shelties bounce.

But, if you're finding that you're getting too much bounce, I'd recommend using the weaveomatics (WAMs). They work footwork and seem to work well.

Also, you can use channel weaves and open them a bit. This builds confidence and allows you to work on speed.
 
I can't think of a sheltie in this area that single foots through the weave poles. The bounce is pretty much what all of the shelties here do, and trust me, they can do it FAST. It is also better on the body than the single footing. With the spacing, you are better off encouraging speed in the style your dog is most comfortable with as opposed to trying to make them do something that is difficult for them
I'd say this is a good example for showing dogs doing the bounce through the weaves can be just as fast as the single footing. This dog isn't playing around in those poles.
http://youtu.be/UzEJkXrHP4g
 
HopeShelties said:
I can't think of a sheltie in this area that single foots through the weave poles. The bounce is pretty much what all of the shelties here do, and trust me, they can do it FAST. It is also better on the body than the single footing. With the spacing, you are better off encouraging speed in the style your dog is most comfortable with as opposed to trying to make them do something that is difficult for them
I'd say this is a good example for showing dogs doing the bounce through the weaves can be just as fast as the single footing. This dog isn't playing around in those poles.
http://youtu.be/UzEJkXrHP4g
Click to expand...

I had to laugh because this dog face planted like Lexi does sometimes :lol::lol:
 
I agree with Ashley and Stacey on Shelties and weaving style. It would take a very large Sheltie to be able to successfully single-foot like a BC. Also, my understanding is that BCs have a shoulder structure that is different from most other breeds and facilitates the lateral shoulder movement required to single-foot. I'm not saying that other breeds shouldn't single-foot, just that certain breeds, like BCs, will be more successful at doing it with less risk of injury.

Phebe is an over-size Sheltie, 17-1/2", and I'm very happy with her speed through the weaves. I think the key is allowing your dog to develop a style that is smooth and efficient for their body structure, and rewarding weaves in a way that both builds and preserves drive on the obstacle.
 
Phebe*DD said:
I think the key is allowing your dog to develop a style that is smooth and efficient for their body structure, and rewarding weaves in a way that both builds and preserves drive on the obstacle.
Click to expand...

This is what we teach when we introduce the weave poles in classes. Dogs will naturally select a method, single foot or bounce, that works best for them. Both methods are fast and efficient.

If your dog is just learning to weave, the speed and smoothness will come with comfort.

One thing you can do to help increase drive is to find something that motivates your dog and, as your dog nears the end of the weaves, roll it on the ground in front of them so they learn to drive forward with their head down.

Suggestions for using Weave-a-Matics and Channel Weaves are also very good. Unlike guiding the dog through straight poles on leash, which doesn't encourage speed and independent performance, both of these other methods do encourage speed and independence. There are instructions online for building your own set of channel weaves. I'm not sure if you can build a set of WAMs because of the hinge at the base.

Anyway, the point is, allow your dog to develop a style he's comfortable with for weaving. If you do that, he'll grow into the style and will develop speed as he becomes more proficient.
 
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm okay with the two-foot weaves, I just wish he didn't add that bounce in (although it is hilarious - I should make a video of him weaving). I appreciate all of the suggestions, and the video was helpful too. In the video, it appears as if the dog's hind end is far more engaged than my dog's is, which is probably creating the drive and cutting down on the bounce. We'll keep working on it!
 
Honestly, with the new weave spacing I think it is hard to find a sheltie (at least a standard sized sheltie) who is able to single step through the weaves.
Click to expand...

how big is the space between the weavepoles? the FCI standard (and the also the standard for Germany) is about 23,6 inch.
my sheltie girl (with about 15,3 inch) mostly uses the one foot method.

http://up.picr.de/7548287zil.jpg
http://up.picr.de/7548288zqe.jpg
http://up.picr.de/7548289dyw.jpg


Silaria said:
This is what we teach when we introduce the weave poles in classes. Dogs will naturally select a method, single foot or bounce, that works best for them. Both methods are fast and efficient.

If your dog is just learning to weave, the speed and smoothness will come with comfort.
Click to expand...

I would totally agree. even shelties are very different (in high or build) and every dog should change its own comfortable method. and every dog will speed up (and starts to bounce less) when he gets more confidence ;)
 
Luna, they are 24 inches apart, I also don't see any normal sized Sheltie around here being able to single stride it like a BC
 
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