Rubberized contacts for Dog Agility

Some complaints last night as we unveiled the new rubberized teeter and table at our club for actual use.  A couple members were worried that it would hurt their dog’s feet.  However, it is recommended by Linda Mecklenburg and I know of a couple others who are using them with high praise.  The dog’s are quieter on them, which helps, but most of all, they have MUCH better traction so it is safer.  I am really pleased. 

This was a project undertaken by three of us and it was quite easy.  The other two people, friends, did it at another venue first – Canine University in Bedford, OH and it worked well.  I was able to help with the one for our club, Cleveland All Breed Training Club (CABTC), and we had great fun doing it.  It’s almost criminal how easy it is – tarp down, gloves on, spread the “goop”, sprinkle on the rubber pieces and clean-up!  How easy is that!  A couple days later, we asked someone at the club to vacumn with a Shop-Vac and now the equipment is in use on the floor.  It may lose a few more rubber pieces during use so we wanted to give it some practice before the trial this weekend.  Have to say, not much came off. 

I didn’t do the ordering so I am not sure where they got it but I think it was through Contact A Coat http://www.contactacoat.com whose kits for the table are only $25 + shipping and for the teeter kit $55 + shipping.  There are also kits for the Dogwalk, A Frame and combo kits.

Check out http://www.awesomepaws.us/contactobstaclesafety.htm as Linda has information on her site.  I would like to see more standardized equipment used in Agility to protect the dogs and handlers.  The rubber contacts seem a good choice all around.