Hello all.... more advice needed please!!

So Mr. Pupster (officially, definitely, 100% Melvin now!) is 15  weeks old, and we've now attended 4 ringcraft classes....2 months and 3 weeks until first show, eeek!  I know I shouldn't be expecting miracles just yet :-D  He's very good at standing, and I'm not training that too much to make sure he doesn't get bored.  Not too keen on having his teeth looked at, but I know what I'm doing with that one...

I'm having a massive problem trying to get him to walk around the ring.  He's very happy on normal lead walks, but just either cannot be bothered (and lies down for a snooze) or actively pulls the other way when it's his turn to do a triangle or circuit. Having done a lot of obedience in the past, my instinct is to hold the lead in my right hand, dog on left following a really good treat in my left hand.  However I'm not sure this is the right way to go about it, as technically I'm not teaching 'heel'.  I've done an open show with my obedience boy, and was instructed by the judge not to hold the lead on the opposite side to the dog. 

So... my question is... how would you experienced folk train the walking bit!?  I don't want it to be boring for the little chap, and I'm sure he'd love to follow some tasty treats, but I just don't want to start training something that's going to hinder us in the ring! 

Thanks,

Clare

I would say lead and tasty treat in left hand, which would be held low and forward, so that you could 'steer him' by the nose with the treat!

Lead and treat in the same hand!?  Very sensible suggestion :-D  Not seen anyone else doing this at class though, think I just assumed food was a big 'no no' for the walky bit!!!

I keep the lead in the left hand and then when i need to attract my pup's attention i pull out a treat or click my fingers in my right hand. The trainers at your ringcraft should be giving you advice on this and how to hold the lead.

Not seen anyone else doing this at class though, think I just assumed food was a big 'no no' for the walky bit!!!

Oh gosh no, that's what we do with my pup -she's 9 months now, has been BP 6 times and has an RCC and she is shown like this each and every time! Treat (of the extra special smelly kind! Large enough to see!) in same hand as lead or she stops or puts her head down.

I teach all my lot to heel.. whether going for a KCGC or ringcraft.. holding lead in right hard as you do, but also left hand a third of the way down the lead.. inthe ring.. I just let go of the lead with right hand, and dog runs to heel on command and my left hand is holding lead loosely..

Yes.. you can encourage to walk with treats..anything smelly.. liver sausage, cheese, whatever works ...  failing the heel command in very young puppies, I have been seen running backwards down the ringcraft  mat, treat in hand, cajoling, making funny noises,, doing everything possible to get puppy to come towards me..

In the showring.. 1st thing I do/say is "heel" and dog walks/runs round the ring at my side, regardless of speed, so yes... you can teach the 'heel' if you feel more comfortable with it..

Well... thanks.  Reckon that will be problem solved!!!  Can't believe I've been expecting the poor thing to walk for the sake of it, when I could have been using a treat.  Nevermind, at least he doesn't know what he's been missing!!

Melvin, that's a great name used to have a Pomeranian and he was called Delvyn Melvyn :)

I agree with all other people....a good tatsy bribe!!!!! :-D  Nothing too exciting mind that will cause jumping!

The other thing is if he will walk on a nomral lead normally, go to ringcraft, don't do the stand bit first just go up, normal lead on, held like normal and do a triangle, then lots of praise while he realises what he just went and did! :-D

While training to show on the normal lead, also go for a quick short walk up the road on the show lead so his walking in a relaxed manor on he show lead!!!

Unless needed I wouldnn't bait a dog on movement in the ring but at ringcraft I will walk backwards on my knees with treats in both hands if it will get the dog to walk!!!!  I.e do anything to get the dog happy with moving.  I lost my dignaty & sanity YEARS ago so don't care what I have to do to get a dog going.  everyone knows me, everyone at ringcraft will hand me their dog knowing I won't take nonsense but it will be fun!  Not sure if then fun is for the dog or the owner though! :-D

Yep, lots of bribery in my breed - doesn't take before the problem is stopping them galloping around the triangle rather than starting them moving!