By Moe Strenfel, photos by Marcy Mantell Photography Start-line Line-ups: Put Your Dog in Forward Gear Steering your dog around an agility course requires your dog to consistently relate to your physical position so he has information about which direction to proceed. Your dog needs to see the same obstacles that you see, so his path must be parallel to yours. It all starts with something as basic as your dog lining up next to you and facing the same direction as you. Quick and accurate line-ups have the added benefit of helping you re-sync as a team when you make an error on course. Line-ups or a swing finish to either side of your body should be taught early in your dog’s career. For my handling system, I do not send the dog behind me or between my legs to line up since this violates the blind-cross body line (BCBL) rule used in Greg Derrett’s handling system (see CR November 2008). When the dog goes behind or around you for an obedience-type finish or an agility line-up, it can contribute to potential off-courses and wide turns since the dog has practiced ducking behind you. 56 Clean Run | March 09