Front Cross

Crossing during a PVR is a bit of an advanced flatwork maneuver, but it should be relatively easy if we have a solid drop and our flatwork foundation is solid.

Front Cross

Once we’ve got the dog set on the PVR or otherwise reporting to ‘hook up’ position – the trailing hand – all we have to do is turn towards the dog, match our hands then continue moving against the dog’s direction. We mark the commitment at the match, essentially marking the transfer of the target from hand to hand and pull the dog around just like a regular PVR.

Verbal Cue

Agility people, please don’t freak out, but we’re going to cue this move verbally. Our cue for a Front CrossOn a Front Cross, your dog switches Flanks in with you in front of them. From Clock to Counter Clockwise Flank or vice versa. Taken directly from the canine agility world, the Front... More here at PVybe HQ is “Here”. So once we’ve got the skill working, we’re going to call the verbal right before we turn and match hands… “Here!” then we turn towards the dog, match hands, continue our turn and mark the moment the dog commits.

Pulling the Dog

Once the dog has committed to the CrossA Cross is an canine agility term that describes a change of working sides. Your dog moves from your left to your right (Heel to Side) or from Clock to Counter. Crosses are... More, it’s just a normal PVR pull followed by a toss where ever we’d like the dog to go.

Dropping Early is Key

We’ve got to get the dog to drop quite a ways from the handler. 10 yards is probably the minimum working distance for the drop. Anything closer and we’re likely to get tangled up with the dog in the FrontFront is a stable position directly in front of the handler. Front is an traditional obedience skill. Usually your dog sits in this position, but standing is often acceptable as well, especially in... More Cross cue.