Rear crosses

corbinam

corbinam

Moderator
Hi everyone! We have an upcoming trial in July, and have been working on perfecting our handling but have really been struggling with rear crosses. We've been practicing sending Bentley out ahead and crossing behind him, and in itself, Bentley has no trouble. He has been able to jump over to a target and doesn't mind when we cross behind him. However, when we do this on a course, he does that sheltie spin! I think I'm signalling him over soon enough (arm out), but as soon as I slow down, he comes to a stop before the jump even if my arm is out. Sometimes he makes it over the jump but knocks a bar because he is slowing as he is jumping (since I'm slowing). He probably takes the jump (and spins afterwards) about 1/5 times, and the other 4 he stops before the jump and starts doing his herding thing because he doesn't know what to do.

It seems like this is particularly hard because he is glued to my hip when running. Any tips? Am I missing something? Should I just continue practicing sending him out ahead? Any specific drills you can think of?

Thanks in advance!
 
So funny - that's what Deska does. Mind you he spins so fast it doesnt slow him down.

Tully on the other hand I always send forward before I do a rear cross because she is so fast. With Tully I practised heaps, esp teaching the word "go", every time we went for a walk. In fact, now you raise it I should practise going ahead more with Deska - good thinking.

Thanks for that website Sharon.

You guys are lucky you are allowed to start trialling early. The clubs here are so pedantic you have to be perfect at everything before being allowed to compete, so in class we all panic about not being perfect and get too scared of trialling.

Good luck at the trial.
 
Thanks, guys! The website is great, and I'm glad to hear that Bentley isn't the only one that needs a bit more work :)
 
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