Canine Study: weave poles

(Watching stride and footfalls in dog agility through weave pole performance)

In study of gait, anatomy, conformation, and performance, it is amazing to watch training progression slowed down in various dogs.  Below is a top-rated Airedale performing the weaves in less than 5 seconds.  Intelligent use of single tracking along with double hop allows the dog to use the whole
body once end of the obstacle is determined. (Number of Weave poles in AKC agility will vary - this is 12 poles from a Master level course).

Some of the younger, inexperienced, or more green “baby dogs” display a learning stage in which they are double-tracking more and starting to single-step.  All dogs have their own style and training affects their speed, accuracy, and performance.  Dog size also affects their body usage given 24” pole spacing!  Amazing to see the many individual dogs and slow down video to see how they work.  

Here is a focused Border Collie utilizing footfalls...and a mini Poodle and Golden bouncing quickly...

Another of our country’s best in their breed, this Dalmatian displays single tracking through all poles

Handling is a huge part of agility performance and of course there are times Dogs “pop” the poles without completing the final set in the sequence, or miss their entry from an angle.  Video can be an extremely helpful training tool in that regard.  Show performance and training are often different worlds and handlers strive to improve their game.  None of this is intended as criticism - Weave Poles are one of the toughest things to train and we have evolved from weave-o-matics to channel and 2x2 methods that help the dog find entries (they always enter from Right to Left no matter where the handler is) and develop consistency, rhythm, and efficiency.

Kudos to all trainers and handlers!

Agility obstacles are very natural to wild canid behavior in terms of jumping, climbing, and tunnels. Even the movement of the teeter could be simulated from nature as a wolf might feel a log shift as they traverse it.  Dodging and weaving trees in the forest would happen a bit, but not likely a continued slalom of 12 straight poles requiring precision!

I enjoy the opportunity to study everything from reach and drive while gaiting in the breed ring to jumping style to body use in performance events - definitely proof that form follows function!  Understanding their capacities and limitations helps us to breed better dogs.