Have you ever walked a course, come up with what felt like a perfect plan… and then watched your dog run something completely different? Maybe they took a wider line than expected. Maybe they missed a jump entirely. Maybe they added in an obstacle you didn’t intend. It’s not that your dog didn’t try—it’s that the plan was built on a line that only existed in your imagination.
In this blog, OneMind Dogs Instructor Lynn Madden shares key lessons from her recent webinar, explaining the crucial difference between fantasy lines and reality lines—and why learning to tell them apart is essential for becoming a more effective agility handler.
What do we mean by your dog’s line?
When we talk about “your dog’s line,” we’re talking about the path your dog takes between obstacles on course.
But that concept is actually made up of two versions:
- Fantasy Line: The line we, as handlers, think our dog will take when we walk the course. These are usually clean, tight, efficient paths with no correction strides
- Reality Line: The line your dog actually takes, based on what’s physically possible for them
The more your handling is based on fantasy, the more likely things are to go wrong. But when you plan for your dog’s reality, your teamwork starts to click.
Dogs are not bananas
One of Lynn’s favorite reminders during this webinar: Dogs are not bananas, they can’t just bend in mid air and land turned when they took off in a straight line. Dogs need space to slow down, take off, land, and change direction. Every jump requires a takeoff zone and a landing zone, plus correction strides.
Tight, unrealistic turns might seem fine on paper (or in your mind), but they ask more of your dog’s body than it can safely or physically manage. When handlers don’t take this into account, they unintentionally cue a line the dog can’t take. The result?
Confusion. Miscommunication. Knocked bars. Off courses. And a lot of frustration on both sides.
What influences your dog’s reality line?
To better understand what your dog can do on course, you need to understand a few things:
- Your dog’s natural stride and turning ability
- How much space they need before and after a jump
- How your handling cues shape their path
- How their approach line affects their jump
- Leading legs and correction strides
This is where the OneMind Dogs 3 C’s come into play:
- Connect – When you stay connected, your dog can focus on performing the obstacles in the most efficient way
- Commit – Allow your dog to commit to the obstacle (stay connected so you see the commitment)
- Cue – Once they’re committed, give your cue for the next line so they have time to change their take-off
When all three C’s are used consistently between each obstacle, your dog can better understand the course—and follow a path that’s actually achievable for their body.
Build your handling toolbox
Great handlers don’t rely on just one way to do things. Instead, they build up a toolbox of techniques—learning how each one influences the dog’s line differently.
In the webinar, Lynn encourages handlers to:
- Learn and practice all 7 OneMind Dogs handling elements
- Understand the lines created by each handling technique
- Test and choose what works best for your unique team
There’s no single “correct” way to handle a course. But there is a more effective way for your individual dog—one that takes into account their physical abilities and natural tendencies.
Embrace your differences
One of the most freeing messages from Lynn’s webinar? There is never just one way to handle a course. Every dog is different. Every handler is different. And the sooner you stop trying to copy someone else’s plan and start understanding your dog’s reality, the faster your teamwork will improve.
By learning how to see the lines your dog actually runs—not just the ones you imagined—you’ll unlock clearer communication, better performance, and more joyful runs together.
Watch the full webinar recording
Ready to stop chasing fantasy and start handling for your dog’s reality?
You can watch Lynn Madden’s full webinar recording right here: Fantasy vs reality lines in dog agility
Whether you’re brand new to agility or a seasoned competitor, this webinar will challenge how you see your dog’s path—and give you practical tools to make your plans more effective.
