05/25/2026
Always do what’s best for the dog.
**Disclaimer: Since this post has gone international i think its important that readers understand that this is worded for those competing in Australia. Where we can't go to worlds and where we still see those 5 jump leadouts to a tunnel threadle 🫠.
I was not intending this post to be seen by those competing at a much higher level. We compete for a dogs lifetime at the same comps against the same dogs weekend after weekend, then we go to nationals and compete against the same dogs again 😂
Never should a dog enter the ring uncontrolled, this is not about holding onto the dog and then running for your life. This is about the fact that one team does not have to have the same aspirations as another 🫶**
Startlines in dog Agility can almost feel like a badge of honour. A dog that confidently plants themselves at the line, waits, and lets you get into position before exploding into work can look incredibly polished. But like many things in training, there are positives and negatives — and there isn’t one "right" answer for every team.
The positives of a strong startline are obvious. It can give handlers time to get into position, create a smoother opening sequence, help build focus, and give the dog a clear understanding that work starts when released. For some teams it becomes a valuable routine — "this is our cue that we're about to play Agility."
But there can also be downsides.
Some dogs become so focused on holding criteria that they lose drive and intensity. Others can start to see the startline as pressure rather than excitement. Some dogs become stressed if the handler leaves, creep forward because they feel conflicted, or lose confidence because the emphasis shifts from "go have fun" to "don't make a mistake."
And sometimes… you may actively choose not to have one.
If you have a dog that thrives on motion and excitement, asking for stillness might actually take away from what makes them great. If your dog struggles with frustration, stopping them at the start may build more tension than value. If your goal is to create a flowing, connected performance rather than distance at the beginning, a running start might suit your team better.
Maybe your dog performs better when you start together. Maybe they need your support. Maybe they are more confident when movement starts immediately.
A startline isn't a measure of training quality. A dog blasting off without one isn't "untrained", and a dog with a beautiful wait isn't automatically more skilled.
The best choice is the one that serves the dog standing in front of you — not the one that simply looks the most impressive.
