Mastering the Front Cross
in Dog Agility
- Perfecting Your Front Cross
In this tutorial you will get a preview of a tutorial that teaches you how to guide your dog to turn while changing your leading arm by using a Front Cross.
Click here for an overview of the Frontcross. (Link will open in a new page -- be sure to return to this page)
This tutorial is an excellent introduction to the front cross in dog agility.
But to take your learning to the next level, you may want to see the full tutorial in the dog agility course on Directionality, which you can find here:
- You can also find the full tutorial in the Amazon Kindle book:
Learn Dog Agility Techniques of Champions
(Scroll down to continue this tutorial.)
Perfect Your Front Cross
Read the description about how to do the Front Cross. Then check your understanding by taking the Progress Check below!
Progress Checks help to ensure that you are mastering the key concepts.
Scroll down to see the answers. Answers are shown in a lighter color to encourage you to give your answers first before peeking at our answers.
You can think of the Front Cross (FC) as having 4 Steps.
Step 1 . When you want your dog to turn left, you start the FC by pivoting to your right (turning toward your dog) as you step on your right foot (your dogside leg)
Step One (when dog turns left)
Progress Check
- When you want your dog to turn left, you start by pivoting to the same direction/ the opposite direction (pick one)
2. If you want your dog to turn left, you would start pivoting as you step on your
right/left foot (pick one).
3. You can think of the Front Cross (FC) as having how many steps? ____
4. Start your front cross after running to the middle of the bar/as early as possible (pick one)
ANSWERS
- When you want your dog to turn left, you start by pivoting to the opposite direction
2. If you want your dog to turn left, you would start pivoting as you step on your
left foot.
3. You can think of the Front Cross (FC) as having four steps.
4. Start your front cross as early as possible.
Step Two (when dog turns left)
For step two, as you pivot to face your dog, you will be stepping backward (down the line toward the next obstacle) on your left foot -- continue to pivot to your right on the ball of your left foot.
Note that as you step backward with your left foot, you are actually moving down the line toward the next obstacle, not away from it.
Progress Check (step 2)
(True or False?) For step two, as you pivot to face your dog, you will be stepping backward in the intended direction you want your dog to go.
(True pr False?) Be sure to step and pivot on the heel of your left foot when dog will be turning left.
(True pr False?) For step one you started turning in a certain direction. In step two you reverse that direction.
ANSWERS (step 2)
(True or False?) For step two, as you pivot to face your dog, you will be stepping backward in the intended direction you want your dog to go. That's true. Usually, it's best to step in the intended direction you want your dog to go.
(True pr False?) Be sure to step and pivot on the heel of your left foot when dog will be turning left. False. Step on the ball of your foot.
(True pr False?) For step one you started turning in a certain direction. In step two you reverse that direction. False, keep turning in the same direction.
Visualizing a Front Cross Line
It is helpful to visualize a line running from the nearest wing of jump #1 to the furthest wing of jump #2.
Try to keep your footwork close to this line and not too far away from it.
The imaginary line is shown here as a dashed line. Notice that the handler is starting step #1 with her dogside leg -- the leg closest to the dog..
Front Cross Progress Check
1. When setting the line for a front cross, imagine the line going from the ______ of one jump to the ________ of the next jump.
2. True or False? It is best to run past the line a few steps to ensure that your dog has a clear view of the next jump.
3. What, if anything, is wrong with the Front Cross shown here?
Answers
1. When setting the line for a front cross, imagine the line going from the wing of one jump to the wing of the next jump.
2. True or False? It is best to run past the line a few steps to ensure that your dog has a clear view of the next jump. Not True. Run on the target line.
3. The handler running too far out past the imaginary line connecting the wings of the two jumps.
1. How many steps are in the Front Cross.
2. T of F? The first Step is taken with the dogside leg?
3. T or F? Steps should be taken in a small circle to avoid getting in your dog's way.
4. T or F? Strive to take big steps in the direction of the next obstacle.
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1. How many steps are there in the Front Cross (as explained in the video)? Four steps
2. T of F? First Step is taken with the dog side leg? -- Correct
3. T or F? Steps should be taken in a small circle to avoid getting in your dogs way. No! Take big steps.
4. T or F? Strive to take big steps in the direction of the next obstacle. Correct!
Learn More About Dog Agility Techniques
This is just an introduction to the Front Cross. To learn more please take the premium course on Teaching Directionality. No worries. If you are not happy after finishing all lessons, you can get a full refund. It's a no risk deal. Click here to see a free preview.