For those of you who play flyball, do you think it's possible to have a dog that is controlled until he gets into the ring (ie not dragging his handler into the building and to the ring) and then goes nuts and runs really well? If it is, do you think the dog runs slower because he's not allowed to act like a total fool on the way to the ring? Do you think letting the dog drag you into the ring and/or act like an idiot waiting to go into the ring makes them run faster? Does it tire them out before a race and actually make them slower?
I've heard a lot of people say that you can't do anything about dogs pulling on the way to the ring without ruining the dog's drive, but I've also seen fast dogs walk nicely (not completely calm and controlled, but not dragging their handlers either) into the ring and then do very well racing. Renee never gets excited at flyball. If letting her drag me into the ring would make her run under 6 seconds consistently, I'd probably do it. Hannah typically walked nicely with me because I had food, but I also just didn't let her drag me, even if we were on our way to a race. Partly because it's annoying to me when she pulls, partly because I have tendonitis in my elbow from walking dogs and her pulling aggravates it, and partly because I think it could tire her out before a race.