Rear Cross or Front Cross? – Bad Dog Agility Academy

Rear Cross or Front Cross?

You cannot view this unit as you're not logged in yet.
  • natasha@evodesigns.co.nz says:

    I have been told by instructors that a rear cross will slow a dog down and since I’m always trying to create speed in my dog I will often opt for a blind cross. I only ever attempt the rear cross if I absolutely know I won’t be able to get there for the blind X. Is this incorrect?

    • Sarah Fernandezlopez says:

      As with most interesting questions, the answer is “it depends” 😉

      I’m sure we talk a lot about this here:
      https://baddogagility.com/episode-179-which-is-faster-a-front-cross-or-rear-cross/

      At the logical core, if the path the dog runs is the same AND the dog has perfect understanding or what you want AND the dog has the drive to do what you want full speed, then logically they should be the same.

      For some dogs, once they know where you want them to go, they will go there as fast as possible. For other dogs, they lack drive or confidence to drive forward on their own without you. In those dogs, yes, they often are slower with rear crosses.

      However, I think all teams should continue to work on the skill of all the crosses, because there will be times you simply can’t make a front or blind. In addition, a “slower” rear cross might still beat a front cross where the dog is moving faster but has a really wide turn because of late handling.

      But it is totally acceptable to have the front and blind as your first and favorite options and only use the rear in competition when the course kindof demands it.

  • hilaryc says:

    Presume you mean Hoss the dog ?


  • >

    Login