so i guess i'm the only one here doing open?
looks like i am the first person under this heading..........
so i just got dumbells for the corgis. i can't tell if they're the right size.
anyone know how they should fit?

Hi Corgipower!

No, you are not the only one doing Open! I personally love AKC obedience, but most of the people here are more into obedience for SchH. So hence, there's not a whole lot of talk about AKC obedience.

There is not really a "wrong" size of dumbell for your dog so long as it's not WAY too small or large. See what your dog is comfortable carrying. The center bar should be more or less slightly longer than the dog's muzzle is wide. The end pieces should not be so large that it is "top heavy" when your dog is carrying it, nor so small that your dog confuses them with the center bar when he's trying to pick it up. It is easier to teach your dog to carry an appropriate sized dumbell because it will be natural for him to pick it up and carry it in the correct manner if it is close to the right size.

When you get to the Utility level, the articles you will need for scent discrimination should be sized the same way. Using single, double, or triple bar articles will be a matter of preference on your part.

Best of luck to you!

Open CDX the dumbell has to fit the dogs mouth correctly and the bar needs to fit the dogs mouth wear it is comfortable when the bar is in the mouth it has to not be pinching,and not so far out to be hanging out of the dogs mouth The ends have to be balanced so they are not top heavy in the dogs mouth. The articles in utiliity ,should be the same way,but you are able to use differnet bars designes,one ,two or three .Good Luck Peter