Ever feel like you and your dog are speaking different languages on the agility course? You’re not alone! Agility is often called a dance between dog and handler. If your footwork is off-beat, your canine partner will likely misread the steps. Footwork and handler mechanics might sound like advanced skills, but they’re incredibly important for beginners too. In fact, one of the coolest things about agility is learning to see the course from your dog’s perspective. Watch our webinar on this topic for detailed insights into footwork and handler mechanics!
Dogs naturally pay far more attention to our body language – movement, position, eyes, chest, feet – than to verbal cues. By improving your footwork and overall handling mechanics, you’ll give clearer signals to your dog. Leading to smoother runs and happier teamwork on course.
Why Footwork and Body Language Matter (According to Your Dog)
Imagine running an agility course with a partner who only speaks in dance moves. In agility, your dog is constantly “reading” your body language as that silent communication. Every step you take, where you face, how you move your arms, even the direction your toes point. It all means something to your dog. OneMind Dogs training is built on this idea of seeing the handling from the dog’s point of view
From your dog’s eye-level (much lower than ours!), your feet and legs are especially prominent. Due to the height difference between human and dog, your feet play a more significant role than your arms in guiding your dog
The direction of your toes and the steps you take give a lot of information to your dog. For example, if you turn your toes toward an upcoming jump, you naturally help “point” your dog toward it. If your feet suddenly decel or turn in towards the dog, your dog senses a turn or slow-down. This is something our founders learned from a very special teacher. A deaf dog named Tekla, who had to rely on body cues (since she couldn’t hear verbal commands). Dogs naturally follow a handler’s motion and position, almost like an invisible leash connecting you. Understanding this from the dog’s perspective is key to becoming a great handler.
All 7 handling elements should support the same thing
Verbal cues can certainly help, but they are really just the icing on the cake. Your dog will always believe your body language over your words if the two conflict. Have you ever shouted “weaves” but found your dog heading for the tunnel because your shoulders and feet were facing it? Oops – that was your body “lying” to your dog! The OneMind Dogs philosophy is to use all 7 handling element cues in harmony, so the dog gets one clear message. Words should support your physical cues, not contradict them
A thoroughly taught and well-timed verbal cue is useful, but it won’t override confusing footwork. In short: your movement is the primary language, words are just hints.
Clarity = Confidence for Your Agility Dog
Because dogs are such keen observers of our movements, clear footwork and handler mechanics give them confidence. When your steps and body cues consistently predict the correct course path, your dog learns to trust your guidance. This leads to tighter turns, faster runs, and fewer hesitations. On the flip side, if your body cues are inconsistent or unclear, your dog may start making their own decisions on course (and who can blame them?). Many agility mistakes or refusals stem not from a “disobedient” dog, but from the handler accidentally giving mixed signals.
For instance, imagine you need to cue a jump then turn. If you rush and forget your footwork, you might end up facing the wrong way or taking extra steps. Your dog might miss the jump or take a wide turn because your body didn’t clearly indicate the next obstacle. OneMind Dogs research into handling techniques shows that in each handling move, every single step matters. Each step should seamlessly take you to your next position on course without any wasted motion (and who wants to run more than they need to anyway, am I right?).
If you’re not a particularly fast runner, this is even more important. Moving efficiently with good footwork can make it feel like your dog has “slowed down” for you! Simply because you’re always in the right spot at the right time. The secret to “making it” on course isn’t raw speed, it’s timing, commitment and technique/
Common Footwork Mistakes in Agility (We’ve All Been There!)
Let’s shine a light on a few places where things often go wrong for beginner handlers when it comes to footwork and body language. If you recognize yourself in any of these, don’t worry – we’ve all been there, and the good news is you can improve with practice!
- Saying one thing, doing another: This is the classic mixed signal. You call your dog’s name or give a verbal cue for a turn. But your feet, chest, or outstretched arm are still pointing toward an obstacle ahead. Dogs will almost always follow the physical cue over the word. So if you tell your dog “Here!” but your toes are aimed at that enticing tunnel entrance, guess where your dog will likely go? (Hint: not “here”!). The fix: coordinate your verbal cues with your body. For example, if you’re going to turn your dog, begin turning your feet and chest before or at least at the same time as you say the cue.
- Footwork Fumbles: Ever find your feet getting tangled or doing an extra little dance on course? Perhaps in the heat of the moment you took one or two extra steps. Or your weight was on the wrong foot and you couldn’t push into the next turn. Those extra unnecessary steps act like speed bumps, slowing you down and confusing your dog’s read of your path. One common example is a front cross gone wrong: if you don’t plant your “commitment step” toward your dog’s takeoff point and instead stutter-step, your dog might not fully commit to the obstacle or will turn wide. Remember, taking a step toward your dog’s takeoff spot can help the dog commit and collect for a turn.
- Over-reliance on arms or verbal cues: Some new handlers wave their arms like a windmill or shout commands in hopes the dog will understand. Unfortunately, excessive arm flailing can become its own distraction, and dogs don’t naturally understand arm signals as much as we think. In fact, you can handle most agility techniques without using your arms at all!
- Standing too upright or blocking the dog’s line: Sometimes handlers forget to get out of the dog’s way – literally. If your footwork doesn’t carry you out of the path, you might end up body-blocking your dog’s line to an obstacle. We call this “being a moose in the headlights”, we are from Finland after all! For example, on a Front Cross, if you don’t keep your feet moving forward after the turn, you could cut off your dog’s path and block the next obstacle. The dog then either turns wide or takes an off-course obstacle or crashes up your backside!
Do any of these scenarios sound familiar? It’s all part of learning. The best handlers in the world made these mistakes once upon a time. The difference is, they identified them and worked on their handler mechanics to give their dog clearer cues. And you can do the same! Watch this webinar for more information.
Simple Ways to Improve Your Footwork and Handling Mechanics
The first step (pun intended!) to better footwork is recognizing that it’s a skill you can practice, independent of your dog. In fact, you should practice without your dog around. Why? Because if you can nail your own movement and foot placement before adding a fast, excited dog into the mix, you’ll be much more likely to handle smoothly when your dog is with you
Think of it like a dance choreography – you practice the steps solo before doing it with a partner.
Practical tips to sharpen your footwork and handler mechanics:
- Walk Through Courses (literally): Whenever you learn a new sequence or handling technique, walk it through on your own. Walk the exact path you would run. Pay attention to where you place your feet and how you use your 7 handling elements at each turn. Some handlers even mark spots on the ground in their yard or living room with cones or tape to simulate obstacles. Walking through slowly and then at a jog helps build muscle memory. Every single step is important to take you seamlessly to your next position on the course. Practice moving efficiently from one “obstacle” to the next.
- Visualization and Mental Rehearsal: You don’t need any equipment to practice footwork. You can do it in your head or in your kitchen. OneMind Dogs coaches suggest even just visualizing your runs or practicing footwork as you move from one room to another. For example, as you walk down the hallway, imagine executing a front cross. Which foot would plant toward the imaginary jump? Which way do you rotate? When you rehearse these movements mentally (and better yet, physically in slow-mo), you’re more likely to perform them correctly under pressure. Over time, you want your footwork to become automatic – something you don’t have to overthink in the moment.
- Practice with an “Imaginary Dog”: One trick is to pretend your dog is with you when you practice alone. Picture your dog’s path and even glance toward where their eyes would be. This helps you remember to use your connection (eye contact and awareness of the dog) while moving. For instance, practice a front cross by imagining your dog approaching on your left. You’d look over your left shoulder to “see” them commit to the obstacle. Take a step with your left foot toward their takeoff point, then turn your chest and feet in to cue collection and lead them to the next obstacle. By visualizing your dog in each exercise, you’ll train yourself to keep an eye on them while still moving with good form. (It’s like having an invisible training partner!)
- One Jump Drills: You might be surprised how many handling maneuvers you can practice with just a single jump or even a cone. Set one jump in your yard and work on different crosses or turns over it. For example, practice doing a front cross over the jump: lead out with your dog on your left, cue the jump, and as your dog commits, execute your cross (step toward the jump with your opposite foot, turn your body, etc.). Then try a rear cross: send your dog over the jump from your side and cross behind them by changing your path and footwork. By isolating one obstacle, you can focus on your footwork without the complexity of a full course. (Bonus: OneMind Dogs has a free YouTube webinar on “dog agility exercises with one jump” that offers great ideas for this kind of practice.)
- Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast: Don’t rush when practicing your mechanics. It’s better to do it slowly and correctly, than fast and sloppy. Start walking through a maneuver, then jog it, then speed up as it becomes second nature. You’re training your muscle memory. When your feet know where to go, you can then add speed and it will still be smooth. As the saying goes, “slow is smooth, and smooth becomes fast.” Over time, your efficient movement will translate into faster course times than if you just try to sprint without technique. Remember, efficient footwork helps even a slow handler keep up with a fast dog.
- Use Video Feedback: If possible, have someone film you running a short sequence or even your footwork practice. When you watch the video, focus just on you (ignore the dog for a moment). What are your feet doing? Do you see any extra steps or awkward pauses? Are your toes consistently pointing toward where you want your dog to go? You might notice, for example, that in a rear cross you hesitated and took an extra shuffle. Now you know to eliminate that. Video can be a fantastic coach for handler mechanics. You could even set up your phone on a shoe (to get dog’s-eye view) and film your legs/feet as you practice a sequence to truly see what your dog sees! Agility Premium members can send their videos into our coaching team for personal voice-over video feedback!
Finally, always keep in mind the dog’s line on course. OneMind Dogs coaches emphasize understanding the path your dog needs to take – the optimal line – and then using your motion and footwork to guide the dog along that line
If you can picture the ideal line for your dog, it becomes easier to place yourself (and your feet) in the right spots to support that line. You and your dog will be moving as a team, each on parallel tracks flowing through the course.
Step Up Your Game – Join Our Webinar with Lynn!
If you’re excited to learn more about footwork and handler mechanics (and get live tips on how to improve), we’ve got the perfect opportunity for you. Join our Premium webinar “Footwork and Handler Mechanics in Dog Agility” with OneMind Dogs Instructor Lynn Madden. In this webinar, Lynn will dive deep into the kind of topics we’ve touched on here. From which foot to lead out with, to mastering common techniques, with video examples. It’s a fun, friendly learning environment! We’re all just agility enthusiasts eager to learn how to dance better with our dogs!
This is a Premium members webinar, but even if you’re not a member yet, you can still join: just start a free trial of OneMind Dogs Agility Premium to get access to the webinar and all our premium online training content. With an Agility Premium free trial, you’ll not only be able to attend Lynn’s webinar, but also explore a huge library of in-depth videos, handling technique tutorials, and previous webinar recordings (including topics like distance handling, obstacle commitment, and more). It’s like having an agility coach on demand!
Where to go next
Interested in some quick video tips right now? Check out the OneMind Dogs YouTube channel for examples of handling in action. For instance, the video “How To Move Your Feet in Dog Agility” demonstrates footwork for a Front Cross and shows how each step sets the dog’s line (a great companion to this topic).
In conclusion, footwork and handler mechanics might not be the flashiest part of agility training. But they are truly the foundation of clear communication on course. The best part is that anyone can improve these skills with a bit of practice – no elite athleticism required. Start with small steps, be mindful of what your body is “saying” to your dog, and celebrate the little victories. Your dog is already paying close attention to your every move, so make those moves count. With practice, you’ll find you and your pup moving in sync, conquering courses as one agile team.
We hope to see you at the webinar! Until then, happy training – may your footwork be fancy and your Q’s be plenty! 😉
