As soon as forward progress breaks down for more than a couples of seconds, I start my count. Hoepfully I can witness the event. If not I go by the barking. I've seen dogs got into a check and never stop barking even though they have no idea where the rabbit went (I think they should be minused because the other in check never get a chance to work because they follow the barking dog to everyhole but the rules say otherwise) Any how the first dog that claims the line out of the check area gets the points. If all the dogs start to spread out past what I would consider too big of an area I call dead track timeout and move out of the area. I wont give the dog claiming the line until they really show that they have it or another confirms it. Its tough to minus the dog that pulls them out of the check area...because I'm calling timeout so they cannot claim another rabbit ...rabbits dont jump 30 - 40 yards at a shot ....The desire to search is good ...making bigger circles after they have checked the area is good ...but sometimes you have dogs that stay tight and others that might swing out a little ... How would you handle it Dogs that create their own checks becuase they run too fast shouldnt get points especially if they are not being pushed by the other dogs ...unfortunantly our rules say otherwise

The thought of a check is a breakdown in running or loss of the track why should this be any different for the fast dog verses the pack or the slow dog? In a perfect world we would only give points for the strike or jump because the track would never break down. The check is a flaw in the track or a hurdle. We don't minus the dog that creates the check we only reward the dog that solves the check or finds the track. Dogs that create and pick up their own checks are just better for field trialing. How far you let a dog work a check area or how far you let a dog swing again is up to the judge hopefully while interpreting the conditions. In a state like missouri I would like to keep them close because you know they will hit a different rabbit if they swing. In a state like Michigan it could be a little farther out because they are less likely to jump new rabbits and more likely to be on the initial rabbit. The inportant thing to remember is that the rabbit is playing a game. I've seen them climb trees, swim creeks, and other interesting things. There are good dogs out there, but none of them run every track perfect THANK GOD because what wouldn't be that much fun.

Wish I could tell you. Pretty strange. I will see if I can fix it. Buckshot got any ideas on the format of Franks last post? Frank post something else to see if it does it again.

Good stuff Chris!!!! How's this Eric....

Looks like it's back to normal Eric..Thanks!

well that will probably be the only time"normal" is used in reguards to Frank