Handling Rules

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Handling Rules

HANDLING RULES: Greg Derrett Theory

Firstly always remember the three handling rules…

Always keep your eye on your dog
Always use the arm closet to your dog to direct it
Always face the way you want you dog to go

THE FRONT CROSSA front cross is a turn in front of your dog (on your dogs path)

Why Front Cross?

To change sides
To tighten a turn

Front Cross Rules:

Execute cross as close to the next obstacle as possible
Only ‘front cross’ on the dogs turn/ change of direction. Never on the dogs straight line.

Why not blind cross?

Takes your eyes off your dog
Stops dogs working to the space in front of you (dogs working lines) thus creating wider turns and off eliminations.

The above rules will help your dog understand ‘positional cues’. A positional cue is where you ‘position’ yourself to help ‘cue’ your dog to where it will next be going. This will create better turns as the dog knows where it will next go. It also helps stop ‘off courses’ or ‘eliminations’ as the dog will better understand where it should be going.

Crosses would be with matching letters e.g cross for 5A would be at 5B would be at etc

With positional cues

By following the handling rules and crossing as close to the next obstacle as possible the dogs knows exactly where to go. This will get you tighter, faster turns and much higher consistency.

Without positional cues

By ignoring the handling rules and crossing in the wrong place as shown here you are not giving the dog any cues as to where they are next going.

The dog will be slower as it is unsure, wider and will check strides in front of some jumps if you are in the way.