Done properly, and used in conjunction with a well-designed, comprehensive commanding system, this one exercise trains 4 things:

1. It continues to increase the sheepdog’s understanding of the directional (or flanking) commands, by progressing on from the “offset stationary directions” exercise.
2. It introduces the next “positioning” command – “behind”.
3. It introduces the dog to “driving” in a very basic form.
4. It is the stepping stone to the pivotal “reverse counter-balance” directional (flanking) exercise.

The “Crossing behind” directions exercise follows on from the previous “Stationary directions” exercise. In particular, it is a progression from the “offset” stationary directions exercise.

Running time: 16 minutes

Suggested pre-requisites:

“The “Stationary directions” exercise”
“How to use the “pointing/guiding” system of arm signals”
“Widening the pup out”
“Introducing “sit down””

Related videos:

“The handler’s position”
“Sheepdog training commands”