Building A Better Lead-out By Rachel Sanders Choosing the starting point for your course frequently gets handlers into a state of “paralysis by analysis.” I like having choices for my lead-outs, and I think it is important to understand which cues your dog responds to best. If my clients have trouble making a decision regarding their lead-out I ask them to answer two questions: 1A 4 they do · What wouldcourse? if the opening obstacles were in the middle of a line the · If they stand at the starthe is and imagine they are the dog (who knows where going), where would dog like his handler to be so she doesn’t get in his way? Lead-out push 3 2 1 My main options for lead-outs are the following: · · Release in motion into either a push or a front cross · Forward or lateral send to a pull or a cross · Lead-out pivot Figures 1 through 7 show some typical course lead-outs and some of the options for handling them. D Release in Motion into a Forward Motion Front Cross As you pass from the takeoff side of #2 to the landing side, make sure that your upper body and outside arm (left) are rotated toward your dog. Keep your feet moving forward until you are on the landing side of #2, then rotate your feet. I like having choices for my lead-outs, and I think it is important to understand which cues your dog responds to best. 62 Clean Run | November 12