Backyard Dogs Practice Sequences - 2019 May

18 Apr 2020Steve Schwarz

This is an expanded version of my May 2019 Clean Run Magazine Backyard Dogs article. Enjoy!

This month’s sequences contain a wide range of handling challenges. As the sequences progress you’ll work on jump wraps Jump Wrap Handling TipsJump Wrap Handling - With VideoJump Wrap/Wrap, slices, serpentines Serpentine Handling TechniquesSerpentine Sequence, back sides Handling the Quad Back Side - Patrick Bucher Course/VideoThe Connection Between Threadles and Back SidesBack Side/Back Side JumpBack Side of Jump Handling Combinations - Video, and threadles Mary Ellen Barry on Threadle HandlingThe Connection Between Threadles and Back SidesSingle Sided Threadle HandlingTraditional Threadle HandlingThreadle Sequence.

This month I'd like you to focus on working the cross you normally wouldn't use.

Setup

Here is the obstacle setup for 40’ x 50’ (12 m x 15 m) area with 6 weave poles:

Setup in feet
Setup in feet
Setup in meters
Setup in meters

You can replace the weave poles with a jump (or use a spread jump!):

Setup in feet
Setup in feet
Setup in meters
Setup in meters

If you have 10 more feet of space, this setup includes a full set of weaves and opens up the course for more running! Also the weaves ending so close to the edge of the ring can be very challenging for some dogs!

Setup in feet
Setup in feet
Setup in meters
Setup in meters

Discussion

What do I mean by “working the cross you normally wouldn’t use”? For example, in the first sequence below you might normally lead out between jumps 1 and 2 and then release your dog and run dog on left to the weaves. Can you lead out only 1-2 steps and run into a front cross? How about a blind cross? Can your run 1-2 with your dog on your right and rear cross on the flat after jump 2 on the approach to the weaves? Can you run with your dog on your right all the way to the end of the weaves? At each location where you plan to cross think about using a cross you wouldn’t normally use and/or put the cross on the other side of the obstacle.

Sequence 1
Sequence 1

As always, I’d urge you to practice each sequence with multiple handling approaches. It isn’t enough to “just get through” a sequence. Try to handle each sequence every way you can imagine.

The Sequences

Let’s get to work! Download a PDF of all 9 sequences on a single page.

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