Variability in performance of agility dogs navigating a dynamic obstacle.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

During agility performance, dogs complete a preset obstacle course. The teeter, also known as the seesaw, is the only dynamic contact obstacle. Dogs handle dynamic obstacles differently than static obstacles due to the need for increased coordination and postural control. No studies have been performed evaluating dogs' abilities or biomechanical strategies to navigate the teeter. The goal of this study was to describe and quantify variability in teeter performance across a sample of dogs of differing body mass and breeds.

Materials and methods

Twenty dogs of various body masses and breeds were recruited. Handlers were instructed to line their dog up approximately 5 m from the teeter and to handle the obstacle in a way to best reflect the dog's typical performanc

SUBMITTER: Pechette Markley A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11652533 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature