Turf Blues

[aardogs]

I've been trying to figure out a time to bring Panic back up here again. I miss him and he really does seem to love it here. My spring break is mid-March, and I don't think I'll be going home, so I'd like to try to get him up here.



After doing UKI in Portland, I was feeling the drive for agility again. I was searching for UKI trials and there is one 20 minutes from Wooster! How cool!

Then I looked up the facility, and it's on carpet-like mat turf. Sad. I won't run Panic on that. In general, I'm moving away from wanting to do agility on any type of turf with him. The rubber-infill stuff is nice, but he still has some amount of trouble. As he gets older and we practice so infrequently I don't feel like I can ask him to run on a surface that he isn't 100% comfortable with. That limits our potential trials even further. I understand that the trend is moving towards more turf, and that's ok. Turf has a ton of advantages, but it just happens to not be so good for Panic. Give me some dirt any day. 

Comments

[nosemovie.livejournal.com]

Boy, I totally hear that. Razor is best on dirt too. In fact, he's wonderful on it. Ok on grass (especially if it's not damp) but I can just "hear" him break even attempting mats or carpet-like stuff.

Rumble? No problem. In fact, he'll be doing a lot of running at a seminar in a few weeks on mats and I have no worries about it.
it's the WAY he runs. He's not one to dig in to turn, or power into stuff. He more "floats!" or bounces. if that makes sense.

Good for you for protecting your dog. I hope you find places to play SOON!

[aardogs.livejournal.com]

Every dirt place around here seems to be moving to soccer arenas. :( But it's ok, I miss agility but I'm not pining for it, and my bank account is better off for it. ;)

[talesofmyboys.livejournal.com]

Dogs can't really dig into turf. When I watch videos of big dogs on turf, I wonder how long they can handle those turns where they are obviously compensating.

[aardogs.livejournal.com]

Some dogs seem to do fine on it, but yes it's very hard to watch some bigger dogs trying so hard on it.

[brisbeethewhite.livejournal.com]

You should move to the NW, no turf ANYWHERE. Just lots and lots of dirt and dark, dusty barns.

[aardogs.livejournal.com]

I'm seriously jealous, although I'm sure you guys probably feel the same towards us! ;) It's certainly CLEANER.

[prudencerabbit.livejournal.com]

I have done some UKI there. The turf is somewhat spongey and over dirt not concrete, so not terrible, but definitely not like running on dirt. Springfield (Dayton, AKC) is the only dirt venue left in OH as far as I know.
-Katie (I don't think I've commented here before . . . Hi!)

[aardogs.livejournal.com]

Hi Katie! Yes I do love running in Dayton, showed there in October. It was wet and dreary but I would take that over turf. I've run on some really nice turf but he just doesn't do well on any of it.

[prudencerabbit.livejournal.com]

It's too bad there aren't more dirt or even outdoor venues around here. We showed at Springfield for the first time in October, but it must have been a different weekend, we had sunny weather. Nice place and great camping with all the space for the dogs to run!

[moodypdx.livejournal.com]

I imagine it is just too cold in winter to show in outdoor arenas. I am a bit envious of all of the indoor venues that are clean and warm;) But I imagine the grass is always greener on the other side.

Hope winter term is treating you well, say hi to Panic for me. Fred sends his love.

[aardogs.livejournal.com]

Yeah warm indoors is good...it's 10 degrees right now. Definitely don't want to leave my house!