Rear Cross Agility Tutorial

http://www.pamsdogacademy.com

This is a video tutorial on how to train your dog to do a rear cross for dog agility using clicker training and positive reinforcement dog training. I use the Greg Darrett handling system and feel that it is very clean and clear to the dog, which is the reason I use it. Some rear cross methods seem confusing to the dog. This method teaches the dog to follow the person and if the person crosses behind the dog, then the dog knows that he is turning that direction. If the dog is too far in front of you to see the human make the rear cross, one could always have a right or left cue to tell the dog which direction he is going.

I like this method of the rear cross because it is smooth and never confuses the dog with hand gestures. If I am giving my dog a get out hand signal he will know that it is a get out hand signal. If I were to use a hand flip turn for a rear cross, the dog might think that my hand being up means for him to get out and take another obstacle. So, to keep my cues clear, the rear cross is taught with the movement of my body and not my arms.

To learn more about the Greg Darrett handling system, he has a wonderful video out that is called, "Great dog, shame about the handler" and I would highly recommend it. http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2...

To get your dog to drive ahead of you in order for a rear cross to take place, I like to use a toy for my border collie (bandit) and food for my husky mix (Isabelle). If you have a slower dog and you can get in front crosses, I would do those instead. Front crosses tend to speed up the dog. However, if you have a fast dog, or the course just does not allow you time to get into position to do a front cross, you should do the rear cross. Rear crosses tend to slow the dog down.

The only way to improve is to practice!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• rear
• cross
• dog
• agility
• border
• collies
• positive
• reinforcement
• clicker
• training
• greg
• darrett
• handling
• system
• clean
• run
• smooth
• easy
• fun

[MyJackRussellBuster]

hi I just got a new jack russell who is coming up to 16 months, shes perfect for agility as got very long legs and loves running. she is also very agile. she absolutely LOVES sticks which is what I use to tempt her over the jumps and weaving, what is the best way (should I use treats?) and also what is the best thing to start out with for agility, jumps, weaving, ETC. thanks :)

[pamelamarxsen]

@MyJackRussellBuster I would use whatever she likes as a reward! So, if she likes sticks, then use them. However, if she is too obsessed over the sticks and can't seem to listen to what you want her to do, then I would start using a high value food reward or a slightly lower toy reward. Also, work on flatwork and teach her to follow your body movements without equipment and then with equipment. Good luck! Agility is a lot of fun and very addicting! :)

[agilitydogtrainer1]

just one thing im a dog trainer my self but if your dog move and gets up when he is siting when you are training to rear cross do you still treat.

[pamelamarxsen]

@agilitydogtrainer1 My agility trainer says that the dog should remain sitting, but just turn his head in the first step. However, I have been working with my puppy on this and have allowed him to move to see if that makes any difference in his rear cross and so far, it is not any different than just sitting. Actually he is faster at following me than my other BC that I taught with just the sitting. So, I personally do not feel it is making a difference. Hope that helped. :)

[Maggiechance]

In my agility classes we where taught this

[pamelamarxsen]

@Maggiechance AWESOME!!!

[MyJackRussellBuster]

@pamelamarxsen thanks i tried treats and it was a lot better! thanks! :D

[ThePeppyOne]

Thanks so much, This will be great for agility, and eventually I will be able to weave it into a 3 jump sequence.

[KIBAfang90]

I never taought my dog any of this. She ust kinda picked up on it O.O