01/06/2026
Is a straight approach to weaves really the easiest for young competing dogs?
When it comes to young dogs and competing, historically we have always thought jump to straight weave entry is the kindest on them.
The issue is that like with so many things in agility - our training has progressed so fast. Now these days, most of our dogs have been taught from the beginning of their training how to approach weaves from different angles. Young dogs of course might not be able to do advanced entries, but long gone are the days of only being able to do weaves from straight and only on our left! (who remembers back then? 🤣)
It’s very very normal for young dogs to run past weaves, miss their entries or pop out at competitions. Weaving 12 poles takes concentration - this is hard in a higher state of arousal, or it can be a vulnerable area if they lack a little bit of confidence.
This is why I don’t always think a straight approach is the easy set up we often think it is. They can sometimes only see one pole - and they’re sometimes not skilled enough yet (in a new environment), to know how to slow themselves down with the right striding to get between the first & second pole. They can’t see the second pole properly!
I think the general idea used to be that if they can only see one pole, this reduces their decision making on approach. And this can still be the case for some dogs who have no problems with it, but in general they have gotten faster and our training has changed.
When the approach shows more of the poles, it helps them to make a better estimate. Obviously an open faced weave entry would be inappropriate for lower levels - as this offers too much choice for wrong entry, but a curve into weaves or heading into closed faced weaves from a soft angle can really help them.
This of course is going to vary depending on the dog and partnership. But I’ve set up two diagrams (not perfectly to scale 🤣🤣) to show what the dogs see. Look at the lack of visual information they have on a straight set, vs how much information they have when they can see more poles.
Of course you need to train both - in fact every angle 🤣 and when setting up courses it should still be a clear line to the entry… not giving the dog lots of guess work on which gap to enter. But sometimes giving them a visual can help set them up for success 💜
