Tag: training

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Getting started

Preparing to show – by Geraldine Hatch

Geraldine Hatch is new to showing and has kindly written about her advise for starting to show. I would like to thank her for writing about her experience of preparing to show your dog – from a newbies perspective.

Preparing to show – by Geraldine Hatch
When I got Frankie, my Eurasier, I promised the breeder I would show her. As well as being new to this breed I am quite new to showing, so have been on a huge learning curve the past 6 months.

I wanted to write this article for Winning Paws to share my experiences and help others who are new to showing. So, here are tips from me, from what I have learnt on this journey:-

Attend a ringcraft
This is a great place to socialise you dog, learn how to present your dog and yourself in the show ring and make lots of friends. I also found it a really useful place to ask questions about how to find shows and which classes to enter.

Get your entry in on time!
I didn’t realise before I started showing that the entries have to submitted so far in advance. There are a few different websites who do show entries. These can be quite confusing with all the different classes, so ask for help if you are not sure.

Check the order of judging
This is a great tip. Using whichever website you used to do your entry, you can check the order of judging and get an idea of what time you will be on. It will tell you which ring you are in, and how many breeds are in before you.

Check your journey in advance
I have found that a lot of show venues do not come up on my navigation device. Some are on farm grounds which may not have a postcode. My advice would be familiarising yourself with the route the night before and making sure it works.

Aim to arrive at the show early, this will make parking easier and also help you secure a place by your ring – lots are venues have limited space. Arriving early will also settle you and the dog, give you time to find and use the toilets and have a practice!

Grooming your dog
If you haven’t had the breed before, find out from your breeder the optimum time for doing your show preparation. I started off bathing the day before, but found this left my dog with a coat which was too soft and fluffy and not right the texture so I now do it 3 days before my which works much better.

What to wear
This really worried me. Luckily I was able to ask at ringcraft, but I have also lived and learned. Lots of people wear suits at champ shows. Open shows can be more casual while still looking smart and I normally wear trousers and a shirt or blazer. I would definitely suggest making sure you have comfortable shoes which you can easily move your dog in. I remember buying some shoes in the perfect shade of purple to match my suit – only to find they slipped off when I tried to trot!. I would also recommend wearing layers, shoes venues can be extremes of temperature, and you can never really tell until you get there. It is a good idea to look at what type of venue you are going to.

I once wore ballet style flats (it was the summer!) to an equestrian centre and spent the day with feet full of sand and wood chippings!

Find a companion
Dog shows can make for long days and boring car journeys. If you can find a friend to share the experience (and travel costs!) with it will be much more fun.

It is easy to make friends at ringcraft and find somebody who shows in the same group as you.

Have fun!
There was a long wait until my first show – Windsor champ show – when Frankie was 6 months and a few days old. After finding my bench and ring and doing a bit of practice (these can be other posts altogether!) we were on! All the build up and nerves and our time in the spotlight was over in a couple of minutes. It was so worth it though as we came away with a Crufts qualification as well as being hooked and hasn’t looked back since.

My biggest tip would be to enjoy it.

Caromarda Lets Dance For Albionspitz
Caromarda Lets Dance For Albionspitz

 

Categories
Getting started Show dog training

Where can I train?

Where can I train?

This is a question with a simple, one worded answer…everywhere!

Training can be done anywhere and everywhere. Training must be kept fun, and part of this is keeping your training short, sweet and spontaneous.

Use you spare seconds in a day to do training and including a variety of rewards. Asking for a stand before letting your dog off the lead for a run, or going into a trot on a roadwalk incorporate training in time you are already spending with your dog. Also, asking for a free stand before you chuck the ball (again!) are great ways to incorporate training into your daily walks.

Getting a few seconds of training in during advert breaks of TV is another ideal time. Get in a few stands and lots of praise. Always end with treats or a game for your dog, and most of all, have fun.

 

Categories
Show dog training

“Good Boy”

“Good Boy”
Well ok, firstly to be politically correct I should say “boy or girl”!!!!!

When training your dog it is so important to praise for the behaviour that you want, so the dog is willing to offer that correct behaviour again, and again.

One of the fundamental mistakes I see in show training is wanting the dog to “stand still be gone over move in triangle and up & down then stand again then move to the end of the line” before they get any praise.

Please never do this until your dog can do all of the above perfectly!

You should break your training down to separate activities and only start putting them together once they are mastered. This will make sure you always praise for each behaviour.

Trust me, the results are quicker!!!!

Categories
Show dog training

Make it worth their while…

Make it worth their while…
Think about the value of the reward you give your dog when training, especially when training something new.

To put it in simple terms, think of these two scenarios;

1) I ask you to get me some shopping and say “Thank you” when you return. Would you do it again for me? (Yes, No, Maybe if you have time?)

2) I ask you to get me some shopping at give you £50. Would you do it again for me? (Yes, No, Maybe?)

Most people will answer Scenario 1 as No / Maybe, but nearly all will answer Scenario 2 as Yes. This is the same for your dog. Give a high reward and they will want to do it again.

A high reward is something your dog LOVES and only comes out when training such as liver cake, cheese, toys they love or a game.

Categories
Handling training Show dog training

The up and down together

The up and down together
The up and down together is used in the breed ring when a judge would like to compare two dog’s rear and front movement together.  In handling it shows control of the handlers and can compare two handler’s straight lines and presentation.  Sometimes a judge will want the up and down once or twice, some will stay put and some will move to one side (this is where it gets complicated).

The idea is that the two dogs are kept together at all times and to achieve this one handler will start their dog on the right side and the other handler will start their dog on the left side and at the top, if the judge hasn’t moved, both handlers should do an inward turn so the dogs are still moving together.

If the judge moves to one side, the handler furthest away from the judge goes back first and the other handler follows behind.  Then, stopping one behind the other they both would turn and follow each other the other way back to present in front of the judge.

Move the dogs at the correct speed.  If one is slower than the other then wait for them at the turn.

Before you set off on the up and down ask the handler you are running with if they are ready.  You don’t want to go trotting off to find the other handler hasn’t yet got their lead sorted.

Once the movement is finished dogs should be stood parallel to the judge with the gap directly opposite the judge’s feet.  Both dogs should be back to back or facing the same direction.  Never have the dogs facing each other (eyeballing) as if they are two male dogs then this could cause trouble.

Sometimes you may find that you come up against a handler who doesn’t know this exercise very well and they get confused.  If they do get confused then politely tell/guide them where to go on the turns.  This shows the judge that you understand what is meant to happen and is better than having someone else ruin your chances of winning.

This can also be a great training tool to use in training to get control from your dog and get them to ignore other dogs. Even if you never need to do this exercise in the ring, training it will help teach your dog to ignore other dogs running close by in another ring.

Categories
Getting started

Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)

Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)
I’ve just got in from the first Winning Paws Ringcraft, held at the Roecroft Centre in Stotfold, Bedfordshire.

I (Roxanne) and my friend Jane Ashwell-Carter have taken on the slot of Roecroft Ringcraft after it faced closure. Both of us wanted to keep this local, friendly ringcraft going and it has been in my mind for ages to set up a ringcraft class and with Jane this will be a great partnership and with the help of her son Michael.

Our first night I can only claim as a success. We are so pleased with the amount of support that turned up for our first night and hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Although we weren’t expecting the amount that turned up and didn’t plan for it, we think it went well. Don’t think every session will be the same, we will try and do different things each time to get the dogs used to different things.

I just want to share some lovely comments we have received already on our opening night from Facebook;

“Thank you both for a most enjoyable evening, thank Michael for helping look after my dogs and look forward to the next one. Good company, good training and nice cuppa and cake.”

“Viva sleeping soundly after her first session. Many thanks ladies, see you in two weeks.”

“I am looking forward to the next one! Excellent environment for my pup to be in and chatted to some lovely people and not forgetting the first class training too! So pleased with Bo this evening. Thank you.”

Editor note: Due to time commitments of both Roxanne and Jane, the ringcraft in Stotfold has now closed. This was a hard decision, and we both miss the club.

Categories
Top Tips

Top Tip #37

Top Tip #37
Learn what motivates your dog(s). Each dog is different and will have different motivation such as food, toys or praise. Ensure you know what your dog likes to optimise training.

Categories
Top Tips

Top Tip #31

Top Tip #31
Break each of the show training into smaller tasks.

Every exercise has a word (like stand, trot, turn) and a reward. If you get frustrated that your dog isn´t “getting it”, then play!

It is so important that your dog thinks that showing is fun and relates the training s being enjoyable. The most enjoyable dog to show is a dog which enjoys being in the ring and wants to please you.

Categories
Top Tips

Top Tip #30

Top Tip #30
You must be consistent with the terminology for any command given for a desired response.

Take great care that you are making it clear to your dog what exercise they are being rewarded for.

Categories
Handling training Show dog training

Stacking your dog

Stacking your dog
If you have a stacked breed, consider how you pick up your dogs legs; below are some do’s and don’ts of placing your dogs legs.

Do…
…place your dogs legs one at a time
…gently place your dogs feet on the ground
…pick your dogs leg up from the centre of the leg
…stay calm and take your time
…keep the stacking calm and rythmatic (one foot, two foot, 3 foot, 4 foot, head, tail, present)
…remind them of the command

Do not…
…pick your dog up from the under-carriage
…drop your dogs legs from height
…be rough with your dog
…use jerky movement
…throw your dog off balance

Remember to stand your dog in front of a mirror so you can see how you have stacked them to make sure that they are correct or ask your trainer to watch how you do it and give any advice to improve if needed.

Have a look at some more advice of stacking your dogs on the blog post Standing your dog – part I