AARRGH! Tangled In The Chute!

While, I have to say that I am getting responded to, I still don't have an answer about chute length.  

Here's my latest correspondence:

We did this in the last regulation change- shortened the length overall and then added the wording you are quoting.

Sharon

---

Subject: Re: "Chute" hazzard on windy days

Sharon,

I have just one more request.  You mentioned that AKC has shortened the chute fabric (I'm assuming generally?).  The only reference that I can find in the rule book is this:

"At the judge’s discretion, the length of the fabric chute may be reduced to six feet in length in severe weather conditions. Severe weather includes rain, sleet and snow, but does not include dew, or windy conditions. (p31)"

This refers to a shortened chute with fabric 6', but only during "severe weather" including rain, sleet and snow, but not including dew or wind.  What is the "generally shortened" regulation chute fabric length that you are referring to so that we can conform to it. 

Best Regards,

Diane Erwin

I wrote her back asking exactly what the new, shortened regulation chute length is and I even quoted the Sept. '06 regulation book to see if this is the latest version:
 

The length of the chute is such that the overall length of the Closed Tunnel is 12 feet with a 2-inch tolerance.

At the judge’s discretion, the length of the fabric chute may be reduced to six feet in length in severe weather conditions.

Severe weather includes rain, sleet and snow, but does not include dew, or windy conditions.

Now I have to get this all straight. 

As far as I can tell, there are not any updates to the Sept 1, 2006 Regulations for Agility Trials.  I'm basing that on the online info. 

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/REAGIL.pdf

The only other place I know to look, would be the Agility Judge's Guide (also dated Sept 2006):

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/REAJG1.pdf

If you want to start some sort of petition, please let me know.  I'd love the honor of signing the #2 slot (right after your name).

That is, indeed, the final update. So the over all length of the Closed Tunnel is suppose to be 12' give-or-take 2".  You can only shorten the fabric chute part to 6' when the weather is severe as in snow, sleet or rain.  Windy does not count.  If it is windy (see below):

"The 6' chute fabric can be used only during severe weather.  Usually this is rain that makes the chute stick together.  And that is generally when the judge has the ring steward hold open the chute for the dog.  If there was truly high wind  - some judges might have a steward help out but not shorten the chute.  This is always a hard one to call because some exhibitors get quite upset at having another person in the ring.  It would be the general length in high wind unless a very usual situation.

Hope this helps

Sharon"

 IMHO - if the wind is high enough to flip over the fabric of the chute (this would be the objective criteria), it should be replaced by an open tunnel or, in the very least, shortened to 6', as in severe weather. 

 How many people do you need on a petition to make them pay attention?
 

agilebasenji

mudpuppy

I wouldn't want to be that poor ring steward- probably get mowed down repeatedly by hard-charging dogs who can't see him until too late.

 

I have been that ring steward and while I was never mowed down, I will never do that again.  Even if I'm the only person available, they can cancel the trial.  Just to dangerous for dog and person IMHO.  Thankfully most of the AKC trials in this area are indoors.  The high winds in NM and CO can be brutal on chutes and sandbags or staking the end of the fabric down is just not adequate.  And if the chute is in the wrong direction and the fabric is doubled up, not even the largest dogs would be able to make it through on windy days.  I do remember a nonAKC trial out on a NM mesa where all the tents were toast. 

I agree.  I think that my Sioux would remain calm and "wait" on command for me to get to her and bail her out of the chute, but I can see Sequoyah, who is a much more anxious dog, really coming out of that with a lasting impression of "chutes are bad".  I also do not like to see people on course other than the handler and dog.  It's distracting, and the playing field is not level if some dogs get an assist and others do not.  Personally, with my reactive Aussie, I'd take my chances (knowing that she might be smart enough to eat her way out of the darn chute LOL - that's fix 'em).

Anyway, I never favor any rule that is not made with the utmost safety of dogs and handlers in mind.  So, I agree that this particular one needs attention.  I do think our OP should be commended for the decorum with which she handled the issue at the trial.  The time to complain or suggest is afterward, and to the proper authority.  To me, you Q'd in sportsmanship! 

So does the AKC not fluff the chute between each run then?  I mean, if it's windy, then it will get tangled and they expect dogs to perform it anyway, so why bother fluffing it?     How unsafe do they want this to be?  sheesh....

All the AKC trials I have been to the chute gets fluffed each time a dog goes through it.  I have seen the shorter chute come out during rainy weather at USDAA and AKC trials as well.  Also at the trials I have been to (I attend 99% USDAA trials) I have seen the judge replace the chute for a regular tunnel in windy and or wet conditions on more than one occasion.  Granted I will say this was for Snooker or Gamblers classes, not sure if they would do the same for a Standard class. 

I don't think that's really the issue, though.  A lot of time goes by from the "fluff" to the dog arriving at the chute while on course.  So, even if it gets fluffed, it can still whip around in wind or rain.  I think the judges who replace with shorter, or who use a regular tunnel are displaying good judgment. 

dasher

Also at the trials I have been to (I attend 99% USDAA trials) I have seen the judge replace the chute for a regular tunnel in windy and or wet conditions on more than one occasion.  Granted I will say this was for Snooker or Gamblers classes, not sure if they would do the same for a Standard class. 

USDAA Judges will pull the chute for Standard - it was a Standard run at my last USDAA trial where it was replaced with a tunnel due to the high winds.

I really am having a problem with AKC's stand on the chute. My dog's safety is paramount to me, but seems not to be so important to them.

spiritdogs

I don't think that's really the issue, though.  A lot of time goes by from the "fluff" to the dog arriving at the chute while on course.  So, even if it gets fluffed, it can still whip around in wind or rain.  I think the judges who replace with shorter, or who use a regular tunnel are displaying good judgment. 

That was kind of my point.  If they won't pull it for windy conditions, then what's the point of fluffing it?  I mean, if the wind can tangle it and they expect dogs to muddle through, then why fluff it in the first place? 

At the particular trial that I attended, they did indeed straighten the chute before each run.  The wind was really blowing when we started and actually rolled the fabric over Trudy when she entered the tunnel.  It had been windy all day, it just so happened that Trudy was the only dog that got actually tangled.  I think that the Judge, though, should have addressed the wind problem early in the day.  The club was not too happy with her in general. 

The issues were that it was a windy day and the chute fabric was blowing around and it wasn't addressed until a dog (MY dog) got tangled in the chute.  I think that a good judge would have, at least, discussed it with the ring steward when it was obvious that the wind might be a problem. 

 It was a weird mishap and a learning experience.  The next time that I am trialing outside and I see the chute flipping around, I will point it out to the ring steward and the judge and request that it is held open before I start my run.  If, by some bizarre fluke, my dog gets tangled again, I will open the chute (without touching my dog), try to garner her confidence and continue my run with a smile and a happy voice. 
 

Oh well,  I've learned a lot, which is always good. 

Hey thanks, guys, for your input.    I really appreciate your support.  

tashakota

spiritdogs

I don't think that's really the issue, though.  A lot of time goes by from the "fluff" to the dog arriving at the chute while on course.  So, even if it gets fluffed, it can still whip around in wind or rain.  I think the judges who replace with shorter, or who use a regular tunnel are displaying good judgment. 

 

That was kind of my point.  If they won't pull it for windy conditions, then what's the point of fluffing it?  I mean, if the wind can tangle it and they expect dogs to muddle through, then why fluff it in the first place? 

Oh I agree with you both!  Unfortunately I think the judge in this case used bad judgment and probably should have changed out the chut for a regular tunnel

 AKC doesn't allow substitutions to an open tunnel from a closed tunnel during windy days.  When it is windy, the best you can hope for is to have the ring steward hold the chute open for you so the fabric doesn't flip and trap your dog.