Teaching your dog to stand – the basics
Click the link above to view this video. It is great for those who want to know how to get their dog to stand. This shows how you would go from the very start, just teaching the dog to stand and stand still.
Don’t forget to check out previous Blogs
Standing your Dog Part 1
Standing you Dog Part 2
To speak or not to speak
All dogs are different and therefor how you handle your dog can make a big difference to its performance in the ring. How much should you talk to your dog?
Human nature is to speak and talk (sometimes too much!) However this is not the same way that dogs communicate. This is an important thing to remember when training and handling your dog.
Some people enjoy talking to their dogs constantly. I think mainly because it gives the handler confidence, but it also could keep the dogs interest on them. However, some dogs will get over excited by this and are better when the handler is in silence, or using just the odd command to enforce the wanted behaviour.
A classic example is when moving the dog where talking can either help gee up a lazy dog, or could over-excite an over exuberant dog, so choosing to speak, or not to speak can be a very important decision and can hugely affect your dog’s performance. Think carefully about how much you want to talk to your dog and what works best for your dog.
If you feel you need help to work out how to get the best out of your dog, seek help from experienced show friends/judges or from a Ringcraft trainer.
Top Tip #7
Always congratulate those who win. Even if you don’t agree with the placings, a polite well done is all that is needed.
There is never an excuse for muttering negative comments for other exhibitors/judges to hear.
Top Tip #4
Don’t let the dog stress you out when mis-behaving. If you start loosing your patience, they will only get worse and play you up more. Instead, take a deep breath and start again.
Easier said than done but if you get stressed with your dog it will only go down the lead.
Also watch for this if you are getting someone else who you don’t know to show your dog. I have notice in the past where handlers think they can handle any dog and they show their own dogs, or well trained dogs to near perfection, but when they are given a not so well trained, or a naughty dog, I have witness them loosing patience and either yanking the dog around, or worse. 🙁 There’s never a need for this in my opinion. If you need to, find a handler who you can get to know and start to trust, if possible ask them to do some training with your dog to build a bond before heading to a show.
Sportsmanship
Dog showing is a competitive hobby, you will enter them so you can compete and try to win and to get the judges opinion on your dog(s). For some, their sights will be best of breed and group wins, for others it might just be to get a place in a class, or the dog to behave and have a good experience. However, whichever level you are aiming for, this hobby should be enjoyable for all.
If you can’t take being beaten in a dog show, give up. Watch the bad losers at shows, they are easy to spot. They pout, mumble obscenities, storm out of the ring and more often than not, pack up and go home (and I’ve even seen RCC cards thrown in the nearest bin, at the time I would have loved to be the one winning a RCC!). You will never see them offer a congratulations to the winners or speak well of another’s win. Please don’t emulate this type of person. Accept your wins and losses graciously, even when you might not agree. The judges decision is final and that is KC rules that we all sign to on our entry forms.
Many people treat a dog show as a social outing as well as a competition. If you can do this you will enjoy showing much more. Many friendships have started and lasted though showing.
Enjoy your showing, win or loose. You always take the best dog home……your dog!
Fuel Crisis
With the current news reports on panic buying of fuel and many stations over the country unable to keep up with demand, has this affected your decission to go to any shows you have entered? Answers on the poll below!
[polldaddy poll=6091102]
Top Tip #3
Always keep an eye on what your dogs doing.
Your dog might be friendly, but this doesn’t mean all other dogs are. Don’t allow your dog to just wander up to strange dogs for the safety of your own dog.
If you have a male, do not let them eyeball other males. Especially ringside as it can upset dogs in the ring if even a small to-do breaks out.
Top Tip #2
Know and understand your dogs faults
By knowing your dogs faults will allow you as a handler to either disguise them, or understand why another dog beats you. Although we all like to think our dogs are perfect, reality is that the perfect dog hasn’t been bred yet.
I thought I would spoil all my blog followers even more, with regular Top Tips to fill in the space between the longer blogs. So starting with number 1….
Top Tip #1
You always take the best dog(s) home with you.
No matter what you won or didn’t win at a show, you are always taking home your dog(s). Your pets and loved companions and the ones you have to live with. I know I wouldn’t change my dog for the world.
Standing you dog – part 2
When standing your dog they can either be stacked or free stood. Most breeds will have a certain way of standing them, although some breeds it is acceptable to either stack and top and tail, or free stand them. Below I will explain about free standing your dog. If you have a stacked dog, please refer to Standing your dog – part 1 blog post.
Free stood dogs
Free stood dogs are those who are stood with little or no touching and the handler normally stands in front of the dog.
It can be said that a free-stood dog is more difficult to show although I find a free stood dog is harder to train. Once trained a free stood dog can be a dream to show.
It does require a certain amount of understanding between dog and handler to get the perfect stance but with training and patience it does happen.
If required then you can position your dog’s feet by hand, then adopt a position in front of them. Some breeds though are traditionally stood with no intervention from the handler.
No matter how you stand your dog though, it is important that you keep their attention on you and on the job in hand.
If your dog is a fidget, move them back then walk him forward into the stand or take you dog round in a circle. Personally I prefer to teach my dogs ‘backwards’ and ‘forwards’.
To keep your dogs attention there are many ways to try and each dog will be different. Winning Paws can help you work out the best way to stand your dog and keep their attention so they stay still.
