Train your dog to back up while stepping over poles Train your dog to "sit pretty" with a straight back Benefits Benefits * Improves rearend awareness * Strengthens hip flexors (iliopsoas) * Flexes the knee, hock, and hip * * Teaches the dog to pick up his rear feet and reach rather than shuffle Strengthens lower core and trunk muscles * Improves balance and coordination * Helps dog position rear feet correctly when on balance equipment Proper Body Position * Flat back-no roaching or arching Proper Body Position * Head and nose level, not pointed upward * Flat back-no roaching or arching * * Rear feet and knees pointing forward as much as structure allows Rear legs taking actual steps, not shuffling Teams will be safer and better prepared for canine sports when they seek the education needed to design a proper conditioning program that works for both handler and dog. Fine-tune Your FOOTWORK! Personal trainer Eric Bobkowski's DVD "Running & Footwork for Agility" covers proper footwork for front crosses, forward sends, deceleration, and sprinting. Better footwork can help you * Get through a course more fluidly * Shave seconds off your course times * Better cue your dog for the next obstacle * Help prevent handler injuries www.cleanrun.com 32 Clean Run | January 15http://www.cleanrun.com