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Picking a Start Dog |
You don't pick a start dog, you pick a start handler.
The handler must be a competitive person, one who works well under stress,
one who can handle criticsm, one who has nerves of steel and above all is
dependable.
The start handler must be able to race competitively when they have one false
start. To hold back after a false start puts your team in a
"situation" that is difficult to overcome - other team members may
try to make up the difference and this leads to all kinds of trouble.
This person must not send signals to the dog that something unusual has happened but must allow them to do their usual fine job.
Timing is everything and it is hard to stay focused when everyone is watching. The start is probably the only time that the ring and the immediate area is quiet.