Clean Run - February 2013 - 64

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RC

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Easy Rear Cross
For this rear cross the dog is on a diagonal
line jumping toward the right side of #2. This
rear cross is somewhat natural to the dog
since it would be more problematic to cue a
left turn at #2 then it is to cue a right turn
at #2.

Neutral Rear Cross
For this rear cross the dog is on a straight line
jumping toward the middle of #2. There is a
stronger possibility the dog will anticipate a left
turn because the handler is on the dog's left
side. But the angle of the jump is a neutral
factor since the dog is moving straight. The
timing of the rear cross and the handler
moving to the right wing should be strong
enough indicators for the dog to turn right.

More Difficult Rear Cross
For this rear cross the dog is on a diagonal
line jumping toward the left side of #2, which
creates the likelihood of the dog turning left at
#2. There is a stronger possibility the dog will
anticipate a left turn because the handler is on
the dog's left side. There is also a stronger
possibility of the handler pushing the dog off of
jump #2 in the rush to execute the rear cross.

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toy

toy

toy
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toy

RC

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Turn Before the Rear Cross
For this rear cross the handler must create a
turn from #2 to #3 before preparing to step
behind the dog at #3. These rear crosses are
often the hardest to execute correctly. In this
instance the course would favor a front cross
side change over the use of a rear cross. The
dog is jumping to the right side of #2, and you
need a pull to the left. The dog is then jumping
toward the left side of #3, and you need a rear
cross to the right. Both of those diagonal lines
raise the difficulty level of this rear cross.

The Rear Cross Pattern
Before you start rear cross drills your dog
needs to be able to do a simple pattern like
this one and carry out without you stepping to
the wing of each jump. Get your dog excited
and run off the line, taking care that you are
encouraging your dog to move ahead of you
before he turns back to #3. Do the exercise on
both sides. Reward in different places with a
thrown toy or chunk of food. Don't reward from
your hand.

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toy

RC

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One of the biggest reasons for rear cross
failure is that the dog won't move ahead of the
handler. Make sure that your dog is ahead of
YOU as you toy toss. If your dog won't move
ahead of you, toss your toy out first and then
run with your dog to the toy, letting him pass
you by and beat you to the toy a few times
before you try the pass and throw.

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3
2

Now start from the far side of the jump, with
the dog on your right side. Encourage your
dog to move ahead of you and then throw
your toy just slightly to the right as you move
toward the jump. You don't need to execute
the rear cross on this one.

toy
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toy

toy

toy

RC

Okay, you are ready for a rear cross! Start in
the same position and remember to send your
dog ahead of you--don't let yourself outrun
your dog. Doing a rear cross means you are at
the rear, not at the front of your dog. As your
dog passes you by, slide in behind him,
moving diagonally to the right side of the jump.
Then toss your toy to reward the dog for
moving forward, allowing you to step behind;
turn to the right as you cross behind.

64

Run this rear cross on both sides a few times.
Continue to reward after jump #2 or #3 a
majority of the time. If all is going well, move
some of your toy tosses to the landing of jump
#4. If there is any hesitation from your dog, go
back to rewarding after jump #2 every time.
End the training session with running the arc
on the inside with no rear crosses,
encouraging your dog to drive around the
jumps as you did when you started the
session on "the rear cross pattern."

Run this drill on both your right and left side,
and reward the dog as shown.

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Clean Run - February 2013

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