Mike addressed the problem of an apparently good shoulder not producing the movement it should. This is often due to a short neck. There is a muscle strap the insertion of which is at the second vertebrae of the neck (that big one) reaching down to the upper arm. A long muscle has the ability to contract more than a short one. Therefore, if the neck is short, the muscle will be short and will not have the contraction necessary for even the best angulated shoulder to perform at its potential. We don't see many short-necked dogs in the specialty ring,and most of our specialty judges are watchful of where the foot actually "grabs" the ground. OTOH, many of the AB handlers condition their dogs on a treadmill, and judges are fooled by the appearance of reach when the foot waves in the air out in front of the dog but strikes the ground under the prosternum. That long muscle, BTW, is what can make the difference in a dog moving from the elbow or extending that upper arm in a line from the scapula. Carolyn --------------------------------- Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================