Evaluation of variability in performance and paw placement patterns by dogs completing the dog walk obstacle in an agility competition.

The objective of this study was to describe paw placement patterns for canine athletes completing the dog walk obstacle during canine agility trials. It was hypothesized that dogs would demonstrate defined sets of paw placement patterns as they complete the dog walk obstacle and that those could be classified based on end contact behavior. Videos of 296 dogs attempting the dog walk obstacle at the 2021 UK Agility International (UKI) US Open were reviewed online.