Does anyone here have much experience checking dogs that are suddenly popping out of weaves? Are you finding any problems in particular that are consistently showing up?
I selfishly ask this because my dog Libby has had trouble with this at trials for the last 2 weekends. She had trouble last weekend 0/2 and 0/6 this weekend. She usually doesn't have a failure rate that high. It could be a training issue I suppose.
I may have been too eager to work her in my yard a few weeks ago when the weather finally got nice. She powered thru them with no trouble but I may not have warmed her up properly because she did not execute them well at a lesson the following day
I have a terrible time checking my own dogs-they look as though I have betrayed them and are fairly non-compliant. I thought she seemed sore on the first rib on the right side- could that do it? She has also had occasional issues with a right ilio. I seem to remember Ria Acciani telling a class at the STARR conference that a left teres and right ilio that is sore can cause a dog to pop out of the weaves>
Any thoughts or advice?
Trouble with weave poles- popping out
Re: Trouble with weave poles- popping out
Hi Carol!
So I find popping out of weave poles to often be an 'axial skeleton' thing. I'd be thinking mostly SIJ.
Have you palpated her SIJ's or piriformis muscles?
Laurie
So I find popping out of weave poles to often be an 'axial skeleton' thing. I'd be thinking mostly SIJ.
Have you palpated her SIJ's or piriformis muscles?
Laurie
LAURIE EDGE-HUGHES
Re: Trouble with weave poles- popping out
I am also terrible at checking my own dogs. They are so used to me poking and prodding them when practicing and trying things out, that they very rarely react to anything I do - even when I know they are sore! Have you had her videoed while doing weaves? I had to video my own dog to work out what his weave issue was.
My own dog had a left shoulder injury (medial shoulder instability) six years ago, and despite extensive rehab he still occasionally had difficulties with weaves. He is a very long dog, and is often around three poles at once, so i always thought he was slow though them due to his size. I finally videoed him doing the weaves and worked out what the problem is. He doesn't like to really step out to the left (abducting and loading the left fore), which is what he has to do to enter the weaves. Watching the video in slow motion, I saw that he was entering the weaves by adducting the right fore, which then meant his legs were all in the wrong place to continue through the weaves and he was so slow because he was trying to sort his legs out. Once I realised what the problem was, I targeted my rehab more and worked with my instructor on fixing his weave entry - now he isn't the fastest, but he certainly weaves faster and with much nicer technique!
My own dog had a left shoulder injury (medial shoulder instability) six years ago, and despite extensive rehab he still occasionally had difficulties with weaves. He is a very long dog, and is often around three poles at once, so i always thought he was slow though them due to his size. I finally videoed him doing the weaves and worked out what the problem is. He doesn't like to really step out to the left (abducting and loading the left fore), which is what he has to do to enter the weaves. Watching the video in slow motion, I saw that he was entering the weaves by adducting the right fore, which then meant his legs were all in the wrong place to continue through the weaves and he was so slow because he was trying to sort his legs out. Once I realised what the problem was, I targeted my rehab more and worked with my instructor on fixing his weave entry - now he isn't the fastest, but he certainly weaves faster and with much nicer technique!
Re: Trouble with weave poles- popping out
I treat dogs (I'm a physio) and have been running agility dogs for 11 years. Many clients have come to me with the weave pole concerns. I have discovered 3 issues: shoulder/first rib, iliopsoas, sacroiliac joint. I find the rear end as the most frequent suspect. You must be pedantic with your assessment as sometimes the changes are subtle. My most recent client was a BC - handler is a vet that has taken 3 seminars from me - couldn't find anything but this national placing dog suddenly couldn't enter the weaves offside. The culprit was the right SIJ - stiff but not painful. I saw the dog at the seminar we were both attending. Mobilized the SIJ and put the dog through the weaves - perfect performance. Just received a message from the vet today - the dog has perfect weaves at a trial all weekend.
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Re: Trouble with weave poles- popping out
Thanks for your answers- It is good to have a rule out list-
I think with my Libby, it is trial stress because she is nailing her weaves when I practice alone, take her to private to group lessons and most recently at an agility seminar where the instructor set up hard entries.
It was pointed out by this instructor since weaves are totally learned behavior ( vs jumps and climbing) and don't mimic anything in nature, they are the first things to unravel when stressed.
I guess this is a good reminder for all therapists not to just focus on the physical exam but when and where the poor weave performance is occurring.
I could not find anything wrong on my exam of Libby either….
I think with my Libby, it is trial stress because she is nailing her weaves when I practice alone, take her to private to group lessons and most recently at an agility seminar where the instructor set up hard entries.
It was pointed out by this instructor since weaves are totally learned behavior ( vs jumps and climbing) and don't mimic anything in nature, they are the first things to unravel when stressed.
I guess this is a good reminder for all therapists not to just focus on the physical exam but when and where the poor weave performance is occurring.
I could not find anything wrong on my exam of Libby either….