How to Train a Dog to Perform a Cross Over

The cross over is an obstacle not frequently used on agility courses today, but it is occasionally used in place of other contact obstacles. The cross over consists of a large square platform with four ramps attached to it. The handler must guide the dog up and down a specific set of ramps according to the course directions, and the dog must perform the obstacle correctly in order for it to count. The cross over can be confusing, but with a bit of practice and guidance, your dog can be trained to perform the cross over quickly and efficiently.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cross over
• Treats
• Lead
• Collar

1. Place the collar and lead on your dog. It is much easier to begin training a dog on new obstacles when the dog is firmly under control of the collar and lead. Be sure to use a sturdy, flat buckle collar and a six-foot lead to ensure your dog has enough reach to perform the cross over.

2. Remove the tall supports from the cross over and set it on the ground. The height of the cross over can be quite intimidating to your dog, and placing it on the floor will allow her to build accuracy and confidence.

3. Take your dog’s lead, and walk him to the front of one of the ramps. At this point, it really does not matter which ramp you choose, as long as your dog learns to go up and down each ramp in the same correct manner. Walk him slowly up the ramp, until all four of his feet are in the contact zone. Placing at least one foot in the contact zone in competition is vital for the obstacle to count, so training your dog to place more than one foot in the contact zone will ensure that he will hit the contact zone in competition.

4. Encourage the dog up the center of the ramp and onto the platform. Make sure the dog is moving up the center of the ramp, as they are narrow and falling can be very frightening for your dog.

5. Choose a down ramp, and slowly walk to dog down the center of the ramp. Make the dog wait at the bottom of the ramp with all four of her feet in the contact zone again. If you have an extremely fast dog, you can give her the command to sit. Sitting or squatting down in the contact zone will help to ensure against fly offs later on in competition.

6. Continue to work the dog up and down varying ramps on the cross over, until the dog is confidently running up and down all of the ramps on command. Be sure you give clear commands as to which ramp you want the dog to run in training so that he understands your directions in competition.

7. Raise the cross over and continue working the dog on lead. You can ask the dog to build more speed as her training progresses, making sure that she is still performing the cross over correctly as you add speed. If she falters, slow down and start over.

8. Remove the collar and lead when the dog is confidently and correctly following your commands every single time. Watch for contact zones and accuracy, and monitor her closely for any faults. Your dog will need to run in competition without the security of a lead, and building that confidence and skill at home will ensure that you and your dog have many successful completions of the cross over in actual competition.

Tips & Warnings

• Praise and encourage your dog. The happier your dog is, the more likely he is to want to work for you in the agility ring.
• Keep training sessions short. Dogs have a very short attention span, and learn best with short, frequent training sessions.
• Do not overwork a growing puppy. Puppies are fragile, and need to finish their growth before they are put through the rigors of agility.