I have a darling 6 mth old Ridgeback bitch puppy.
She has done foundation training, had regular daily walks, played with other dogs on and off lead, done 5 companion shows.
Now with each show she has got worse and worse.
she is not food orientated, and gets into a head space where she ignores me, the lead and any food or commands or coaxing/clicking.
So getting her to gait is so hard. She stands like a rock at home and without distractions anywhere else.
She did pretend ringcraft with breeder and other litter mates last weekend and was truly woeful in comparison.
What can I try to bring her back to me?
We are walking her through busy town every night to try and desensitise her to hustle and bustle in case that's part of it.

one to one, on a walk, she is a dream, walking past other dogs and people when needed, responds to a gentle "leave it" if needed.
How do you translate that into the ring? And how do you blag it if they misbehave? Her litter mates were amazing...
Or is her behaviour normal?
Am 1st time shower and 1st big champ breed show is next sunday
I'm worried !

Have you been taking her to ringcraft classes at all? They're an absolute marvel at accustoming youngsters to ring routines without stifling them. I know it's a bit close to your first major show - you might as well give it a whirl and see how it goes - but I'd certainly find out about your nearest ringcraft classes asap.

Whereabouts in the country are you? Someone on here might know of ringcraft nearby(ish) or they might know of them where you did your 'foundation' classes.

ringcraft is nearby bit on weds afternoon 1.30-2.30 which collides with my kids nap and school pickup
Tomorrow I could do but it is my daughters sports day.
I wish I could do it though

Is there another class in the vicinity, held one evening? For instance I have the choice of two classes, each 15 miles away in different directions, but both on during the evening.

nothing to my knowledge, I am in sleaford and teamwork wit paddy o driscoll do one in lincoln as above.
I think there is one at newark and notts showground but my husband works away so baby sitting is an issue.
I will get sitter and do ringcraft at lincoln in the future though.
thank you for the reply

Ah, there are several people on here from Sleaford and the surrounding area - I'm sure they'll be on later to help you.

i realised that as when I typed ringcraft, sleaford into google it brought me here! To see several pleas for ringcraft.
I think we should set up our own one!

Jane why don't you book yourself in for one of Paddy's Show Off days? An entire day, always at a weekend, to deal with show problems? (Doesn't even have to be PROBLEMS; just getting the best out of the dog.) Usually with only 5 or 6 dogs. She tends to only have one or two a year (think next one is November) but it is well worth it even if you have to wait. I have been to it 3 times with different dogs. (Her day time ringcraft is also great, it's a very difficult time I know but unfortunately she has no plans or possibilities for an evening one. My husband booked a few days off for us to be able to attend this year and it has been so worth it, my bitch puppy won a reserve CC at just 8 months of age with Paddy's help. Even if you just go a few times it's better than none.) My male dog used to back away from judges, after the Show Off day he NEVER did it again and now has a CC.

Paddy also does private consultations at home or away from home if you're desperate -she really is so very helpful. You do have one of the country's very best on your doorstep and I'd recommend Paddy above any normal ringcraft -in fact I will not attend other ringcrafts anymore after having seen how often they can cause problems with sensitive dogs (as my breed are). I know I sound like an advert but I have trained for Paddy for over 3 years now and nobody has ever been of such help. I'm currently in her Friday evening competitive obedience class.

Wow Marianne, super!!thanks for that info. I am well aware how good Paddy is as our puppy trainers pointed me towards her a while ago
I think if it is raining tomorrow and sports day is off I will be able to go. I know how valuable it will be
I can go to few in august too, school hols make that possible. But Paddy is closed for ringcraft then!
Will note the show off days too. Will try to get babysitter for term time as need to get to a few classes at least
Will be at the RR show sunday, she will have time to settle before her class as the dogs are all on first and we will get there early, we shall see. Do some work with her prior to her class.
Her next show is Bournemouth as it fits in with our summer hols.

Her only issue is over excitedness, she is happy to be looked at and can be forced into calm by firm lead and restraining with arms, but surely this is undesireable!

Umm I have a 15 month old that has been all the way through exactly the same, I know that we will get there eventually, though have to say on the standing part she's as solid as a rock, just a shame about when she's on the move.  I just enjoy her for the nutter that she is.

I'll keepplugging away. Being calm firm and consistent I guess...
She is sensitive to reprimand, even mild verbal, so has been easy to train really.
But she's not really finding being with me fun so I'm working on that with treats, games and cuddles.
Today has been good.
We shall persevere. She is only a baby after all being handled by a novice!

Bonus! Have managed to wangle it so I can get to paddys ringcraft today!
I have a sprained foot but will take painkillers!
Wish me luck!

Good Luck! Remember she is really still a baby at 6 months so don't worry too much about things going wrong in the ring, its more important that she enjoys the experience than that she behaves perfectly at this age (or any age)

Well it all went quite well! Zola behaved pretty well on the whole!
Bit reluctant having her mouth looked at, but she's fine when I do it, so am goingvto treat and treat her having this done.
So much useful info.
Well bows it's a wing and a prayer, not just a prayer!
God bless liver treats!

Good luck :)

My girl didn't like other people looking at her teeth but me. It's fine to show a judge your dogs teeth yourself. My girl is getting better at it now. I've found that if I do it often enough throughout the day when she is least expecting it she got used to it. She still throws a wobbily every now and then though. I also got other people I knew to check her teeth unexpectedly too. Worked a treat.

Thanks for that, she is absolutely fine with me, she protests if my husband does it but lets all the kids stick fingers and toys and allsorts in her mouth.
We are simply doing it little and often and high praise and reqard.
I have been told that I am worrying far too much, so am taking a "what will be will be" approach and if the judge doing it stresses Z out, I'll ask her to leave it or ask if I cna show the teeth.
thanks lots, really appreciate all the advice on this site
Jane