Comments on: Weave Pole Spacing

By: Laurie Graichen

Laurie Graichen — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:54:16 +0000

Am training my first dog using 2x2s and LOVING it. The prior 2 were totally shaped, starting on slightly offset poles (a la Jane Simmons Moake but not on leash) but can’t imagine teaching weaves using anything but 2×2 ever again.

For those of us who trial in venues with different pole spacing, at what point in weave training do you introduce different spaced poles? Do you want everything just about perfect under all circumstances at the training spacing before changing to different-spaced weaves? Do you recommend training at 21-22 and then going to 24, or vice versa? Would you ever use different spaced poles in the same sequence (a set of 12 at 24 inches and another set of 12 at 21 inches, not 21 and 24 inch on the same set of 12 poles!)

By: Erica

Erica — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:58:11 +0000

I believe that NADAC and CPE are making the switch to 24″ soon as well (they’ve been at 22″). I mostly trial in NADAC and do some CPE and am glad to see the change. I’ve done a little USDAA in the past and enjoy many things about the venue. I am not sure I will continue to do it though if it doesn’t go over to 24″ as well. It doesn’t seem fair to get my dog used to 24″ and then to go back to 20″. And I really think it is better for their bodies to weave with the wider spacing.

By: Brittney

Brittney — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:11:53 +0000

I have 2 pugs who are just learning the weaves…we have stick in the ground poles-so I can change the spacing……we have tried 20″, 22″ and 24″….and they are happiest and confident at 24″. At 20″ they are slow and will pop out when they try to speed up….at 24″ they are happiest and can go accurately with more speed. I am hoping 24″ will become the standard. Better even for small dogs!

By: heather

heather — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:25:14 +0000

I’m currently in the process of getting some 2X2 bases made and refurbishing an old set of poles. I teach a couple of students and I’m on the fence about whether I should get ahead of the 8 ball – assuming it is going to drop – and go with 24″ spacing or if I should have them manufactured to 21″ instead. I don’t have any dogs of my own who are currently competing, but I don’t want to set my students up for difficulty when they go to a different venue. Do you still train the smaller distances with your students, or has everyone made the switch to 24 even if in competition they’ll likely be closer together ???

Thanks for your time,
Heather

By: Megan

Megan — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:02:15 +0000

This discussion doesn’t really involve me since I live in Australia but I would like to comment on the weave pole spacing. We have 2 main Club organisations here, the main one being the CCC(Q) (ie Canine Control Council of Queensland) and ADAA (Agility Dog Assoc of Aust) which is relatively new in comparison. ADAA base most of their rules etc around the FCI and the CCCQ is run by the National Kennel Council and both weave bases are different. CCCQ run at 600mm (24inches) and ADAA is 550mm (or 22inches). I have a large German Shepherd and I really notice the difference when competing at different events (not that I get to many at all!!). Maybe its my training but he really takes about 4 or 5 poles to get his rhythm, so for me I notice the difference!
Then again maybe if I went back and re-trained the weaves in the 2×2 method I may not notice! I do have the dvd, just gotta get moving!!!

By: Shannon

Shannon — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:53:12 +0000

Thank you Susan for putting together the vote for USDAA, I’ll keep training my dogs on the shorter bases until they change but I sure hope they make that switch quickly. I know my Dane will appreciate a couple extra inches! I don’t know if it will help my border collies with out of place ribs but it can’t hurt, I’d sure like to see them stretch out a little more. And really, it would be nice to have consistency across venues.

By: Sherry in MT

Sherry in MT — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:58:46 +0000

The 24″ for us (I run a small dog right now) wouldn’t bother me, what makes me crazy is that it isn’t consistent over venues. So my vote would be – yes do 24″ and do it across ALL venues. Pie in the sky hope I know but alas, I must hope!

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:08:50 +0000

Susan, I recently purchased 2×2 weaves and your DVD to begin training my newest rescue. I had originally looked for 2×2 weaves with larger spacing, but was told that you personally recommended 20 inch spacing for the 2×2′s, as it is easier for the dogs to learn on the tighter spacing and then go to larger spacing, rather than learning on wider spacing and then being faced with a 20 inch set. Is this accurate? Or do you recommend 2×2′s with wider spacing now?

(BTW – NADAC also allows 24″ weaves.)

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:50:25 +0000

I have a 15 inch tall Jack Russell who has absolutely no problem with the 24 inch spaced polls. In fact, he stretches out and drives through them beautifully. Even this small dog seems much more comfortable on the wider spaced poles. The shorter distance poles might not be as hard on a smaller dog, but my small dog loves the looser spacing. I’d love to see them allowed in all venues.

By: Julia Lane

Julia Lane — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:43:46 +0000

Susan, thank you for taking the time to set up the poll, collect data & share it with us. My seven-year-old 22.75″ Dalmatian has suffered chronic shoulder and mid-back injuries due to the shorter weave poles (in the opinion of her chiropractor). What else can we do to lobby USDAA to allow for 24-inch poles?