Quote Originally Posted by grindhard View Post
ive learn that it does not hurt to give your dog a rest from time to time and focus more on flirting. in my opinion i feel that the mouth tends to get sore and it needs time heal. and the flirt keeps him on that hide also you can play tug of war. i have had a dog go sleep on it and a couple days later wouldn't touch it

I may ruffle a few feathers with this post. But almost all dogs are in better shape off the chain than in the show. Quite simply, most over train thier animals and should bring the mill, jenny, or springpole to the show, cause that's where they left the dog. Most people are too stupid to recognize when the dogs muscle has no ATP, when it needs rest. If I had to start over again, I'd rest every other day. New performance tests show sled dogs have more endurance and are stronger when rested every other day. Furthermore, specific to spring pole... Teeth become loose from gum line, so you should never work more than 20 min, and never where the back legs aren't on the ground. Furthermore, no mouth work 17 days before show date, or you'll be picking up your teeth from the square.