I'm not so sure how much it factors. I started off in that mindset and I think it may actually be the preferred method matching work and feed times around the show schedule.

I work rotating swing shifts. My schedule is very hectic. With over time it is all over the place. One part of my schedule keeps me on nights four nights in a row and another part is three nights in a row. I schedule my heaviest work weeks around those night shifts as I have days off on the front and back of those stretches. When I go on the four day shifts I work the dogs on a lighter load because by the time I get home at 8 I feed and water dogs so it is only so much time to work before I have to leave at pre-5 the next morning.

I work the dogs based on my work schedule. Sometime when the two conflict the dog gets a lighter work load or sometimes an extra day of rest. It is not ideal but it is either work the dog around my schedule or not work dogs period.

As far the effect of the non-routine work method I have never seen it as an issue. My dogs may work a week in the morning followed by working a week at night. The crossover days usually are rest days and the feed is adjusted to be close to empty for the next feeding.

I will set the date based on my work schedule. I want the last 7-8 days to be workable for me and the dog so I can dial in to the end. I do not care if it is a day or night show.

What I do care about is that the show time does not change after the last 10 day mark. If I start the last week dialed into a certain time and it changes I am a no show. I always make that a condition going in and I make it perfectly clear if the time changes the last 7 days I am a no show.

A number of years ago we got a call on Friday night that the show had been moved from Saturday night to Sunday morning. I bailed for two reasons. One my dog is dialed in for Saturday night. And two, and this goes along with the CYJ post, I am thinking they had their dog dialed for Sunday morning all along.

To also add to the post. It is a team sport. You and your dog. He has to all the hard work but you have to all the smart work. If something changes that puts your dog at a disadvantage, regardless of how small the disadvantage is, a person should bail. Losing a good dog to a bad decision is a hundred times worse than losing with a good dog to a good dog, if that makes sense.

EWO