Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast E474: Laurie Huston - "Agility Crosses - A Deep Dive"
Aug 21, 2026
Laurie Huston, an agility trainer and competitor known for precise handling and crosses, dives into crosses: what they are and why timing matters. She explains planning crosses from the map and walking the dog’s line. Practical training progressions and confidence-building drills are highlighted.
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What A Cross Actually Does
- A cross is a handler technique that tells the dog what to do next so they can prepare their turn, speed, or extension.
- Laurie Huston defines it as proactive information given before the next obstacle so the dog can prepare.
Fluency Shapes Dog Confidence
- Fluency with crosses directly changes a dog's confidence and on-course behavior.
- Laurie explains softer dogs gain confidence from fluent handling while uncertain handling can make some dogs louder or shut down.
Give Crosses Proactively Not At The Last Second
- When handlers give late or panicked crosses dogs scramble; proactive, well-timed cues keep teams flowing.
- Laurie compares good handlers to copilots who warn of turns vs panicking at the last second.