Who's got video of the "performance test" at the 2009 SS? - Page 5

Tess, do you ever defend anything "worth" defending?

I'd probably video, too, but I can't blame people if they didn't.  Sadly live near where, over the years, there have been several incidents of horseback riders getting caught in a t-storm and getting hit before they got back to the barn.  In one case both horse & rider died, so I don't blame anyone for staying out of it.

4pack: you bet.  Go look up any & all posts I've ever made.  

In order for this to work correctly there needs to be a good videographer taking good notes to avoid mistaken identities as well as take good footage from the approproiate angles.    Really need the NFL style of several angle shots to make a good judgement call on how the bite was executed, small cameras on the helpers hats ect.  We can go on and on...........

The judge makes the call, nothing we can do about that just like the referee at a game.  And not 100% of the audience will agree with that call. 

I spoke to one of the helpers to assist me in my future and he stated the biggest problem is the grip.  The dogs need to work on having a full grip.   Helpers should take note and make that a priority over the next year.   The outs and the fussing are all related to OB training,  if the dog is trained with compulsive OB in both areas, they are expecting a correction to come from somewhere and will slouch, put ears down ect. in anticipation of a correction.    Compulsion, form e-collars, pinches ect are the fastest way to reinforce the desired behavior.    I personally perfer the happy OB work, but not everyone does and can get it from the dog.  Its not a trail, they don't lose point, so the fastest way from point a to b is compulsive training. 

Right or wrong is up to the owner and how they want the dog to look to the audience.  I don't think most give a hoot so long as they pass, no matter how much flack they get from internet postings like these.

If more working dog owners got into the ring and lifted the bar, it might change, just like if more show folks participated in multiple trials, the bar for stucture may increase.  Until the fractions come together and realize that it takes all of us, the debate, arguements and shizm in the breed will continue. 

Again, I congratulate the owners of the two working dogs entered in this years competition for showing their dogs.  It takes courgage, self respect and a true love of the breed to participate in both venues.  There is only one number one in any event, trails or beauty pagent, its the participation and the love of what we are doing that keep the events going.   

Too many people think the e-collar is the short cut to success. Even when used correctly, on a dog that responds well to it,  if you don't take the time to take the pressure off prior to event day, you get slither, AND the grip can go all to hell.
Don't get me wrong. You can get those behaviors without an e-collar, but that's the fastest way I know of. The older and more event-smart a strong dog gets, the harder it can be to control him/her, sometimes leaving few training options.
SS

Mystere, that's like saying you'd smoke while gassing your car up, because you don't know anyone that's blown themselves up doing that.

We get some dandy lighting storms in this part of the country, and the lightning can be pretty random as to where it strikes. A lady at my riding stable was standing watching a dressage competition, and the woman beside her was struck and killed. She was merely knocked off her feet.

One of my dad's boyhood friends was killed as he headed home with his team of horses from haying. It hadn't even begun raining when he was struck. The horses were killed as well. They were near the top of a hill, but not at the high point when it happened.

After that, at the first rumble of thunder, you'd see my dad making a beeline for cover in the nearest builiding or car.

Once you've heard a few stories like this, you develop a healthy respect for thunderstorms!

I myself like to watch the light show, but I do it from the protection of a front porch or other protected area.

You will never catch me out of cover in a T-storm! Last year a guy was walking his GSD along the street a few miles from here. Dog was struck by lightening, killed instantly. The bolt went right up the leash and put the handler in the hospital, but didnt kill him.
NO THANK YOU.

SS

Sun, I said nothing about doing anything because zi hadn't heard of anyone being hurt. What I CLEARLY indicated was that I did NOT engage in behaviors, like being the tallest thing in a field (golf course), standing near attractors, like trees, going up hills, etc. No, I don't smoke and wouldn't be stupid enough to smoke in a gas station at all, if I did. LOL

If you are caught outdoors in a lightning storm and can't get to shelter, you want to make yourself to be the LEAST conductive path to ground as possible. Like people have said, avoid high places, trees, metal poles, etc. Also, crouch down, on the balls of your feet - have as little surface area contact with the ground as possible, while at the same time keeping as low as possible. From the National Lightning Safety Institute (http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/lst.html): Personal Lightning Safety Tips 1. PLAN in advance your evacuation and safety measures. When you first see lightning or hear thunder, activate your emergency plan. Now is the time to go to a building or a vehicle. Lightning often precedes rain, so don't wait for the rain to begin before suspending activities. 2. IF OUTDOORS...Avoid water. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces. Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, etc. Unsafe places include underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a car, truck or a van with the windows completely shut. If lightning is striking nearby when you are outside, you should: A. Crouch down. Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder. B. Avoid proximity (minimum of 15 ft.) to other people. 3. IF INDOORS... Avoid water. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not use the telephone. Take off head sets. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, & TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, inducing shocks to inside equipment. 4. SUSPEND ACTIVITIES for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder. 5. INJURED PERSONS do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call 911 or send for help immediately. 6. KNOW YOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS. Teach this safety slogan: "If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it."