|
A Judge's View about the Degree of Difficulty of Moves |
|
Written by Attila Szkukalek PhD
|
 A Judge's View about the Degree of Difficulty of Moves
After the Paws n Music Organisation's (UK) Christmas competition a few people raised the question of how the degree of difficulty of Dog-moves (in respect of teaching) can be judged. The controversy was created by the fact that different breeds learn different moves at different rates and due to the skeletal structure, weight, size, etc. there are limitations as to what certain individuals or all individuals of certain breeds are physically capable of doing.
Collies can learn the distant circles easier than some other breeds / dogs. Smaller and lighter breeds enjoy standing on 2 legs while some collies find it very difficult and it would be cruel to demand this move from some large breeds (GSD, etc.) without giving them some support. I certainly agree with these comments, on the other side I believe that there are some general points valid for all breeds and individuals in the dog world about the difficulty of teaching certain moves. After all even a Border Collie is easier to teach to do a close circle than a distant (10-20m) one. Otherwise we would not train the moves at hand-reach range before progressing to teach the same move at distance.
Coming back to the degree of difficulty of moves/sequences of the dog I have listed a few general principles, which I believe, can be applied to the majority of dog breeds while choreographing or judging a routine. The arrow' s < opening points towards the more difficult move. The combination of 2 or more of the listed factors further increases or even multiplies the difficulty of a move or sequence of moves. For example crawling backwards is more difficult than walking backwards for any dog or working with a dog not seeing the handler at a distance out of voice range is more difficult than teaching or instructing the dog in a facing front or heel position.
| Directions of Walk: |
Forwards < Backwards < Sideways |
| Directions during Walk: |
Straight < Curves < = Anticlockwise Circle <= Clockwise Circle depending on the dog's position in relation to the handler < Spot Turns Clockwise or Anticlockwise. |
| Directions in relation to Handler: |
Facing with the Handler (Except Front position) = Facing sideways to the Handler < Facing Opposing Handler (Except Front Position) |
| Positions: |
Front (Except Facing with the Handler) < Between Handler's Legs < Left Heel = Right Heel < Behind Handler |
| Speed: |
Walking < Trotting < Galloping at a defined position in relation to the handler (however a very slow walk for a fast walking breed or dog such as a collie or Springer Spaniel can be very difficult) |
| Type of move: |
Walking on 4 legs < Crawling <= Walking on 2 legs (depending on the dog) |
| Jumps: |
Through Props < Legs < Arms < Handler's Body |
| Reverse Moves Positions: |
Between < Front Facing Handler < Left Heel = Right Heel < Behind Handler |
| Reverse Move Direction: |
Straight < Around Handler = Around Handler's Leg < Reverse Weave. |
| Control over the dog: |
Handler seeing the dog < Handler not seeing the dog (Behind the Handler) < Dog not seeing the handler (Facing away from the handler) |
| Distance: |
Dog close to the handler (Voice range) < Dog away from the handler (out of voice range) |
| Type of commands: |
Hand command = Prop Command < Voice Command (however hand signals and props if they are part of the choreography can increase the artistic impression significantly) |
Hopefully the list above gives an insight into how the degree of difficulty of a move or moves-chain can be judged and also helps while choreographing a routine and training the dog. I also hope that this sport based on wonderful dog-human bonding continues developing worldwide the present way; competitors presenting routines of high standard of dog-training, choreography and balanced teamwork performances.
Attila Szkukalek PhD.
|
Offering a diverse range of products
