european handling systems

[corbinam]

You're right I very much handle from the rear and send the dog round the course rather than handling from in front of the dog. I never do rear crosses I wouldn't think about putting one in, or in what situation I'd do one!

I think it's about how you're taught, I'm taught by people who handle from the rear so I'm likely to do that too

I think this varies from region to region within the US as well. In the south (where I moved from) everyone handled from behind. Lots of RCs, etc...

Now that I've moved up north, people favor getting ahead of the dog and FCing.

I've gotten to try both!

 

[Aearoniel]

I think there are definitely times when I FC just never BC, and I can only FC if I can manage to get ahead, they've got so much drive it's hard for my two human legs to catch up with them.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

I think there are definitely times when I FC just never BC, and I can only FC if I can manage to get ahead, they've got so much drive it's hard for my two human legs to catch up with them.

I agree, makes sense to me also!!
I won't blind cross, or I hope I won't lol
as I said what do I know I only just started hahahaa

 

[DPSheltie]

I think this varies from region to region within the US as well. In the south (where I moved from) everyone handled from behind. Lots of RCs, etc...

Now that I've moved up north, people favor getting ahead of the dog and FCing.

I've gotten to try both!

Our trainer pushes learning both type of crosses. The theory here (at least at our training center) is that you should be able to do either with your dog, but front crosses allow you more control and greater direction for the dog (better for green dogs).....unless your dog is much faster (i.e.-Riley) then you do rear crosses. I'm the only one in our class who has a good RC down, mostly since I'm the only one in class with a dog whose constantly driving ahead of me.

 

[lunatic face]

I think there are definitely times when I FC just never BC, and I can only FC if I can manage to get ahead, they've got so much drive it's hard for my two human legs to catch up with them.

but this argument doesn't really count generally, in my opinion. my face has soooooooo much drive (some people say that she's the fastest sheltie here in Germany). the easier courses I really can't get often ahead, because she just got to run straight ahead. but our "crazy european courses" in higher levels with a lot of turns, I usually don't have problems. and I think that's the point: the course building. like the courses at WC in mostly sequences you just have a chance, if you can FC. if you make a RC it could also work, but you're loosing time and often it's not as healthy as FC, because the dog gets the information what's happening next really late.

but I also really doens't like all types of "front crossers". silas boogk, for example. he often just runs ahead, the dog lands in the wrong direction and has to close up. there's no really "helping" and giving informations, which are needed.

of course I love our tricky "crazy european courses"

 

[Aearoniel]

but this argument doesn't really count generally, in my opinion. my face has soooooooo much drive (some people say that she's the fastest sheltie here in Germany). the easier courses I really can't get often ahead, because she just got to run straight ahead. but our "crazy european courses" in higher levels with a lot of turns, I usually don't have problems. and I think that's the point: the course building. like the courses at WC in mostly sequences you just have a chance, if you can FC. if you make a RC it could also work, but you're loosing time and often it's not as healthy as FC, because the dog gets the information what's happening next really late.

Sorry my opinion doesn't count. It is from my experience of running my girls in a range of courses, some straight ahead and some higher grade courses where the judges like to tryout new things we've never trained before. RC are not unhealthy if you prepare the dog correctly, it's only improper handling which means information is given late to the dog and they don't get a chance to collect before a jump.

 

[HopeShelties]

That is one argument I will never get.... 'My dog is too fast to front cross'.
False. Anyone who trains their dog properly can front cross on most courses. My shelties run between 5-6yps and I front cross each and every one of them. If I can do it with those speeds, there's no excuse for others not to be able to.
I really get tired of hearing of inexperienced training facilities teaching their students that the rear cross is pretty much a persons only option if their dog is fast.
I've also run a few friends BCs who are dogs that can and do win in this area, and front cross them. They are even faster than my Shelties and it isn't an issue.

 

[corbinam]

That is one argument I will never get.... 'My dog is too fast to front cross'.
False.

That is definitely true (meaning, I agree with you). I use FCs so much with Lexi. In fact, I think they are easier with Lexi than with Bentley because she is obstacle focused and drives ahead without me--so I am able to get ahead by taking shortcuts and move on to set up the next sequence.

 

[Aearoniel]

Yes I suppose you can get into position with your dogs, unfortunately I can't. My dogs are fast and I unfortunately am very slow due to a muscular disorder (which I don't particularly like talking about but seeing as I'm being told I'm wrong as even with a fast dog I should be able to do this and that when I can't from experience do this on a regular basis). Even if I send them to do parts of the course sometimes I'm not quick enough and can't get to the next bit. I shouldn't be made to feel bad about this by people telling me that me not being able to get ahead is a bunch of crap!

 

[Sharon]

European Handling

Yes I suppose you can get into position with your dogs, unfortunately I can't. My dogs are fast and I unfortunately am very slow due to a muscular disorder (which I don't particularly like talking about but seeing as I'm being told I'm wrong as even with a fast dog I should be able to do this and that when I can't from experience do this on a regular basis). Even if I send them to do parts of the course sometimes I'm not quick enough and can't get to the next bit. I shouldn't be made to feel bad about this by people telling me that me not being able to get ahead is a bunch of crap!

No one is making you feel bad.I to have fast dogs and bad knees but I do what I have to do and don't whine about it.