Handler Movement | Exploring the Holger

Developing creative handler movement is no easy job. We tend to move in the way we move and there is so much to do when doing interior moves. We’ve got to handle the dog, wrangle discs and get into position. It’s not simple and not easy, but there are things we can do. It might be as simple as spinning in the “wrong” direction, like the Holger3 lefts make a right. If you take the long way around instead of the direct route during a spinning trick you are doing a Holger. A Flip to a Leg Vault is More.

So What Is it?

As mentioned in the video below, the Holger is a method of movement that came out of a camp personal session in 2006 in Germany. Holger Berthmann went and spun the “wrong way” on a Thru… Wait… Flip move and the Holger became a thing. It’s really rather simple. All you do to do a Holger is take the long way around with a spinning motion.

If you have to turn 90º to the right, just take the long way around and spinSpins and Twists are tricks where the dog spins 360 degrees in a clockwise or counter clockwise fashion. Spin is clockwise and Twist is counter clockwise so it is important to have a More 270º to the left and a simple ho hum movement that you do everyday becomes something special and engaging.

How to Do It?

Performing a Holger in flow requires the handler to move quickly and efficiently while the dog is busy catching or otherwise engaged. Waiting for the dog to be in position is not an option. The handler must be proactive and move immediately.

It doesn’t require fast movement, it requires quick thinking and purposeful intent. Speed is much more about knowledge than athleticism.

Mechanics and Flatwork Applications

The Holger is more than a cool movement. It has practical flatwork applications. Depending on which direction the dog is going, the Holger movement can be used to perform 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 and line the dog up for the next trick or it could be used to push the dog around on the flank and soften the dog’s line.

Spinning against the dog’s movement will create a 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 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 by changing the dog’s working flank and stop the dog and/or create a sharp line to the handler as it did in the video above with Eppie. This Front Cross is a critical tool for overs and vaults and who doesn’t want a critical tool that looks all fancy and cool and whatnot?

Spinning with the dog’s movement will soften the dog’s line and/or maintain a working flank which can be useful for launching into an out throw or creating some additional space and time for a vault or flip in your sequence.