Locked front legs vs locked back legs in distance commanding.

Why do some people choose one over the other?
I can only speak for myself. I taught Bonus to back up early on, so when I started shaping heelwork, it first came as a few steps backwards followed by a back heel. I had no idea which to choose, so I decided to use what I had and continue working with the movements from there.
With Cobra, I started teaching both approaches, but focused mostly on locked front legs. That was what I had experience with, but I wasn't entirely satisfied, so I wanted to teach Cobra another way and make them even better than Bonus's version — and I've managed that!
With Python, I chose locked back legs. She's also worked with both approaches, but I chose back legs because I wanted to train that too to the same competition standard I have with Cobra.

Now Cobra has also started working with locked back legs again, starting from the first session in May.

What's best?
Well, that depends on what you mean by best. I'm not finished with Python's training yet and Cobra still needs some fine-tuning, but I think it's easier to explain the criteria to the dog with locked legs when they have locked fronts, but that's just my opinion.

What are your questions on this topic? Or have you come across any claims you'd like to hear my thoughts on? Fire away!

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