Clean Run Magazine - June 2009 - 48

8 2 2 3 1 1 3 A: A blind cross is appropriate between #3 and #4. Because extension is desired at #3, my dog is committed to jump #3 as I perform the cross (turquoise), and I have completed the side change before he lands (orange) so my dog does not have to make a choice of side. B: A blind cross is appropriate between #3 and #4. Because extension is desired at #3, my dog is committed to jump #3 as I perform the cross (red), and I have completed the side change before he lands (turquoise) so my dog does not have to make a choice of side. 4 4 A B 9 A: Here I cue true collection for jump #2 with no motion, shoulders rotated toward my dog, outside arm, direct eye contact, and a Jump command. 2 2 B: Once my dog commits to #2, I simply switch to my right hand and run in the direction I want my dog to go (turquoise). At this point my dog can accelerate out of his collection for the jump. I would hesitate to use this type of blind cross often to preserve my true collection cues. 1 1 A B Although my dog’s contact obstacle and weave pole performances are ideally as independent as possible, he remains aware of my natural cues. Many times it is not only faster for me to do a blind cross, but keeping my shoulders facing 10 forward instead of rotating toward my dog to do a front cross can help my dog maintain his speed and extension on the obstacles. This is especially true when my direction of travel is the same before and after the cross. It’s A: A blind cross can be executed while my dog is in the poles or just before completion, with my shoulders facing forward and minimal lateral motion. Many times not only is it faster for me to do a blind cross than a front cross, but rotating toward my dog to do a front cross could cause him to pop out. It’s much easier to continue straight ahead and switch shoulders than it is to do a full 360° pirouette in the middle of that line of travel. B: Once I trust my dog to complete the poles, the blind cross is much easier and actually less likely to pull my dog out of the poles than the front cross. 11 much easier to continue straight ahead and change the shoulder my eyes are looking over than it is to do a full 360° pirouette in the middle of that line of travel. See Figures 10 and 11. D A: A blind cross can be executed while my dog is performing a contact obstacle or just before completion, with my shoulders facing forward and minimal lateral motion. Many times it is faster for me to do a blind cross; maintaining forward cues can help my dog drive across the obstacle as well. B: It’s much easier to continue straight ahead and switch shoulders than it is to do a full 360° pirouette in the middle of that line of travel. Rotating my shoulders to face my dog cues collection, which may or may not be desirable on a contact obstacle. A B A B Linda Mecklenburg is one of the most accomplished dog agility trainers and instructors in the United States. She and her students have achieved the highest levels of success in dog agility. Linda teaches agility full time at her Awesome Paws Agility Center in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. For more information visit her website www.awesomepaws.us. To join an online discussion forum about Awesome Paws Handling System go to http://forums.awesomepaws.us. 48 Clean Run | June 09

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Clean Run Magazine - June 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2009