We've gone to the LITTLE dogs...

[nellie123]

Today a letter came in the mail with a CPE registration card... listed on it was Nellie---8". We've gone to the tiny dogs! I was surprised but remembered that at the measuring at the trial, the judge put us in 12" because that's what we entered. However, she said that Nellie was an 8" dog . Bright and early on Saturdays.

Are there any differences to jumping a lower height?

 

[Hurtseverywhere]

Aside from the fact that it may confuse her just a bit at first, No after one or 2 runs at that hight she will be fine, in actuall fact it will probably speed her up even more then she is now once she realises that she doesn't have to jump so high she will probably naturally start to flatten out her jumps by streaching out farther, then again she might just keep jumping how she's used too.

when I dropped Cosmo from 16" to 10" initially he didn't jump any different, now after about 5 weeks I can see him starting to launch a bit sooner ( farther Back) and streach out more then he did before.

 

[take4roll10]

How tall is she? Because if she is over 11 inches, she will have to jump 12' in most other venues. I know in AKC she would, so if you plan on running Nellie in other venues, you might want to consider keeping her at 12''.

But the good thing about lower jumps is there's less of a chance of her knocking down bars and she doesn't have to jump as high.

 

[HopeShelties]

If it were me personally, I would enter her in 12" despite her being measured as an 8" dog in CPE if I were competing in 12" in any other venue.

 

[corbinam]

If it were me personally, I would enter her in 12" despite her being measured as an 8" dog in CPE if I were competing in 12" in any other venue.

I would too. Especially because I know you have been concerned with her jumping in the past (either slightly ETS-y, or just lack of collection). A lower jump height will really encourage her to continue extending over it rather than taking the time to think about the jump and collect.

 

[nellie123]

Aside from the fact that it may confuse her just a bit at first, No after one or 2 runs at that hight she will be fine, in actuall fact it will probably speed her up even more

I can see him starting to launch a bit sooner ( farther Back)

Well...more speed is fine by me and her. Jumping sooner may be more of a problem. I think it's too early to tell, but when I put the jumps down to 8" yesterday and today, I didn't notice much early jumping. A video will confirm...

How tall is she? Because if she is over 11 inches, she will have to jump 12' in most other venues. I know in AKC she would, so if you plan on running Nellie in other venues, you might want to consider keeping her at 12''.

But the good thing about lower jumps is there's less of a chance of her knocking down bars and she doesn't have to jump as high.

Less knocked bars would also be good!
I'm not fully sure of our future plans. Will probably stay in CPE for a while. I like it, and my parents like it. My dad loves the 'easy' ribbons.
Maybe in a year or two, I'll look at other venues, most likely USDAA or NADAC. AKC maybe...but I know we have TONS of time.

If it were me personally, I would enter her in 12" despite her being measured as an 8" dog in CPE if I were competing in 12" in any other venue.

She's entered in 12" for her next trial, so that means that she will stay at 12 for the next trial? I see your point. Not quite sure what we'll be doing for venues int he future.

I would too. Especially because I know you have been concerned with her jumping in the past (either slightly ETS-y, or just lack of collection). A lower jump height will really encourage her to continue extending over it rather than taking the time to think about the jump and collect.

Yes, that's definitely a problem. Those were/are her issues. We did a lot of collection drills which helped TONS, but she needs a more solid foundation. Do you have any collection drills?

 

[corbinam]

Yes, that's definitely a problem. Those were/are her issues. We did a lot of collection drills which helped TONS, but she needs a more solid foundation. Do you have any collection drills?

I would recommend teaching her Linda Meckleburg's recall to heel positions. Have you heard of them? She wrote a book called "Developing Handling Skills" and they are outlined in there.

I am not a die hard LM person, but I do admit that her RTH positions have helped us a lot when it comes to collection. I think I have a video on youtube of them, but I'd recommend reading about them since I just learned them and am no expert.