Clean Run - March 2013 - 34

If you
build it...
they can
run!

4
3

Blind crosses are a type of side
change where you are ahead of
your dog on course and your dog
changes sides behind you. Since
in some cases you are ahead of
your dog, and facing away, the
only clue your dog may have about
what side of your body to be on
is your side cue. If you are going
to employ blind crosses in your
handling, you and your dog need
to have a good understanding of
side cues. Your dog will need to
be on the lookout for a change
of side cues, which will indicate,
of course, a change of side. The
next sequence is designed to help
your dog be aware that you might
change side cues while ahead of
your dog, and that he should accordingly change sides to come
to your new side cue.

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1" and 2" vinyl tape
1" and 11/4" PVC pipe
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After you release your dog, but before he lands off jump #1, change from a left side cue to a
right side cue, turning in the direction indicated to do so.

Blind Crosses and Side Cues

Clip-on jump cups

Set up your dog far enough behind jump #1 that you have time to change side cues after
you have released him.

numbered in Figure 3a. When I
am confident my dog is able to
quickly determine that it is my
right side offered, I will change
my side cue and present my left
side cue by the time my dog has
exited the tunnel, so that my dog
has permission to take jump A.

Jump cup strips

Set your dog up several feet
back from jump #1, as shown
in Figure 4a. Lead out between

obstacles #1 and #2, present
the dog with your left arm, and
look at your dog over your left
shoulder.
Release your dog. After you’ve
released your dog, but before
your dog lands off jump #1, turn
your head clockwise, drop your
left arm, raise your right arm,
and look over your right shoulder,
as shown in Figure 4b.
You should practice this before
you do it with your dog! You will
need to be able to do this quickly
enough that you can do it between the time you release your
dog and when your dog is in the
air over obstacle #1. Your dog
should finish obstacles #2 and
#3 on your right side.
Your dog may be startled at first
if this is something he has never
seen you do. If he touches a bar,
or drops a bar, or fails to come to
your new side, you should try the
sequence again and be sure to
reward him when he takes the obstacles successfully while watching your side cues.
These are just some simple and
quick ways to make sure that you
keep your side cues sharp for
when you really need them. D

Daisy Peel has competed in agility since 1998. She is a five-time Regional champion (USDAA), a five-time
National champion (AKC, USDAA), and a four-time AKC/USA World Team member. Daisy currently competes
with her dogs Solar and Jester. Before becoming a full time agility instructor, she was a high school chemistry
teacher. Visit her website: www.daisypeel.com.
34

Clean Run | March 13

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Clean Run - March 2013

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