Clean Run Magazine - June 2010 - 46

7
15

5 4

3
13

There are seven theoretical front crosses here.
2

Position A: The handler faces the dog and cues the right turn with an arm change.

FC
13

C B
13 12 12

The first six front crosses are now combined into three threadles.

Position B: The handler steps back with the right leg.

Position C: The handler runs forward with the left leg.

Obstacles #12-#16 From #12 onward there are a variety of ways to handle this course, depending on handler speed and skill level. Before we consider the options here are a couple of points I want to clarify. From #12-#13, #13-#14, and #14-#15 need to be handled with a change of arm cue to protect the dog’s 180/270 skills. For example, if I keep the dog on the left from #12-#13 and #14-#15, I expect him to take the back side of #13 and #15 (Figure 7). When you have a variety of options, the easiest way to decipher a course is to put in all your theoretical front crosses. From obstacles #12-#17, there are a lot of these (Figure 8). Above I have suggested there are three threadles in #12-#15. A threadle is basically two front crosses combined; therefore in a theoretical world, you have six front crosses in this sequence. From #15-#16 is also a front cross. Remember these are just the theoretical front crosses. Once you determine your theoretical front crosses then you can either • • • Use all front crosses Convert the crosses into serpentines or threadles Use rear crosses for front crosses where you can’t make position in time problems with threadle handling is that people often use too many backward steps. Once you combine threadles in a series, good footwork is essential to get through the sequence efficiently. The three threadles here are all turning the dog right first; therefore, this first behavior is cued by a left to right arm change. When you execute this arm change, your shoulders should face the dog. As the dog drives toward you, step back with your right leg only and turn and run to the next position. This footwork automatically gives you a right to left arm change, cueing the left turn (Figure 9). When you have completed the three threadles, then you need to use the last front cross from #15-#16 (Figure 10). Another option from #12-#17 is to use serpentine handling. This involves faster handler speed as well as a dog that responds immediately to arm changes. It is a very difficult way to handle; but if executed correctly, it is the fastest way for my dogs when I time various options. In simple terms, you do a front cross at #12-#13; then turn the other six front crosses into serpentines. You are basically on the outside of the jumps (Figure 11). To reiterate, the handler needs a fair bit of foot speed and the dog must respond instantly to an arm change cue. But due to the serpentine positional information and where the handler finishes, this really gets the dog driving through this section of the course. (This form of hanClean Run | June 10

No one is going to run seven front crosses in four jumps, so the first option to consider is using threadles. One of the main
46

Clean Run Magazine - June 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2010