Does anyone know how to stop a dog "crabbing" ?? I can get Alfs front going straight but his back end swings right out and he runs practically side ways.  its so frustrating because when free moving off lead he moves in a lovely straight line, im really stuck on what to do ?

A dog can do this if his back end is higher than his front (not saying that Alfie does, just explaining one reason ;-) )

It will also do it if you aren't going at the right pace. Try speeding up, and then slowing down, until you find the right pace. Change sides as well, as he will be used to being on one side and it becomes a habit. Try to find a wall, or fence, that you can run alongside so that he can't crab as he doesn't have the space.

Just a few ideas that might help :-)

walk him on the other side for a bit.  Definately not in the ring, but when training if you show your dog on the left side of you (not sure if its different from here) then train on your right sometimes.  It will help the situation a bit.

I would either run faster or do a reverse triangle. Both worked for one of mine :)

he isnt bum high ;)

Im going to try a different pace, will need to find somewhere to practice where I dont look a fool I think.  he does pull in slightly if I run him on the other side but I get so confused with reverse triangles !!

I find moving in a circle helps, it is very hard to crab while going, literally, "Round".  swap hands, and directions of circle, too.

How old is he?  My Akita did this for abit when she was young and still growing.  It was something she just grew out of though, so there is hope!

Are you using a 'loose lead' or 'stringing'? it is more common for a dog  on a tight lead eg ' stringing' to crab; do you also do obedience training? that can also create the illusion of crabbing when the dog is moving close and gazing up at the handler it causes the body to twist; do you use bait or titbits/ a dog will twist to watch for the food.
A dog moved on a 'loose lead' ( it does not have to be a long lead either)will find it's own straight line and is less likely to appear to crab.
If you want to do both disciplines, no problem, just make sure you use two totally different sets of commands so the the dog does not get confused.
I have also found that speeding up a fraction will often concentrate the dogs focus, and it seems to know it is working and moves straighter and more confidently.

he is 4 so not really young.  I do tend to string him up (not strangle him) to keep him moving straight, I think I will give it a go on a lose lead and see what happens. We dont do obedience and I dont use treats (treats make him completely lose it !!!)

I also had a dog that "Crabbed" for a while...I was given the advice to try running your pup along a curb edge,dog on curb side  on a very quiet road as if the dog doesnt run straight it will fall off.Alternate this with running the dog on the road (Hence the reason it needs to be quiet )near to the curb so the dog learns not to hit the curb...it teaches the dog to run straight and I did find it very usefull,it cured my dog. Mind you I was lucky my street is very quiet so there was no trafiic about cant see it working if you only have busy roads near you.

Some walk the dog against a wall others do reverse triangles and circles but it does seem that some dog do have a habit of crabbing and the best you can hope for is to stop it whilst in the show ring.

Have seen dogs walked along the top of walls and sure enough the dog will walk straight but start crabbing again once they have room to do so. Would think if you can false the dog to walk straight on a wall or against a wall and finding a command that will teach the dog that it is doing what is required. Clicker people would probably use a target stick an if you train that way it may prove the quickest and most lasting method.

I have a target stick, I might give that a go !

Ooh yes, I reckon a target stick might help with my dog too, I wrote a very similar question to you yesterday!

Increase your pace of walking, or decrease your pace depending on how he is crabbing. Or change the width in the step you take, i know you might look a bit silly doing really long strides, but it works, crabbing is brought on by the way the dog is handled, so if you get this right you can get him walking nicely again!! Just stick at it!! Good luck :)

I have a target stick, I might give that a go

What's a target stick please? 

Have a pup that moves beautifully off lead but sometimes crabs on lead (admittedly he's at that age so we're keeping everything crossed)  Won't attempt the wall thing as he'll jump off (he thinks he can fly ;-))  but will give anything else a go!

http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/item--Target-Stick-33inch-9-5-folded--target

This is a target stick. :-)

When we first iwent to ringcraft we were told to put a small piece of food between the fingers of our left hand, with the lead folded in the same hand, and carry it low enough for the pup to follow. This way the dog learns to move straight, without looking up. We used a different command than we used for heelwork and it certainly worked for us. After a short while she understood what was required and no longer needed the lure of the food to move straight at our side on a loose lead. Hope this is clear.