Dog Agility RSS

What is a blind cross? It’s called blind because you will get ahead on a course, so your dog will be behind you when you change the handling side.   Why use a blind cross Because a blind cross allows efficient forward motion, it can be useful if you need to get ahead on the course. You don't need any collection from the dog or yourself, which allows for acceleration. Note: only works on angle changes less than 45 degrees.   How to do a blind cross? So, these would be the steps that you as a handler goes through...

In this course, you have the option to practice Front Crosses, Pivots or something which may be new to a few of you, a manoeuvre called a Ketshker on jump 8. A pivot is when you don't need to change sides, so you stay using the same arm and rotate on the spot.  A  Ketshker, also called a German turn, is a word many agility people use to describe a turn where your dog goes behind you and can be useful to open a clear line to the next obstacle  A ‘front cross’ is a handling skill where you get ahead of your dog and turn,...

Weaving poles in agility The Kennel Club is the governing body for dog agility in the UK. Here are some of their rules for dog agility weaves: The weaves are a standard height and should be "60 cm apart between the poles". Dogs should enter the weave poles with their left shoulder passing the first pole then weave through without skipping any. If they do make a mistake, they will receive faults or penalties, depending on the competition rules. These rules are just a brief overview, you can familiarise yourself with the full specifications here: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/agility/new-to-agility/agility-course-obstacles/ As your dogs learn the obstacle, they will...

Forward Focus In week 1 we kick off by introducing some of the key equipment and commands by training some straight runs over jumps and tunnels. Plus, obedience using Place Boards for your sit-stays to get a valuable head start at the start line and optimum angle onto the jumps! The first lesson plan is designed to start with straight lines to teach your dog to be confident approaching the key equipment, but also so your dog learns the default is to take an obstacle if it’s in front of them and not go around (or under if it’s a jump!). This builds...

Taking part in weeks 1 & 2’s lesson plans, you will have run in one direction, this week you run short courses and taught some more advanced handling moves called ‘crosses’ to change your dog’s direction, from clockwise to anticlockwise for example.   Front Cross A front cross is a handling move where you get ahead of your dog and turn, plus change your driving arm* so that the dog changes which side they are to you. *Here’s a link to week 2’s guide in case you need a refresher on this <<Week 2>> This gives us the ability to move...