hi there,timo is 10 months old and at the last few shows has started to sit in the ring whenever i'm not stacking him or propping him up and i don't know how to get him out of the habit.he's fine on the table,he's never been taught to sit but seems to have forgotten his training.i'm currently stacking him which although allowed in the puppy classes is not once he comes out of them.he will happily free-stand at home but sits the minute i let go of him in the ring lately.any ideas how i can get him out of the sit to free-stand in the ring? also he's not that interested in bait,is there anything he might go wild for?should i keep something for only when we're at shows? i understand it might be a "phase". any help appreciated,thanks,roy.

It sounds like a lack of confidence.  If in doubt sit, does anyone get him to sit at home?

Give yourself lots of space, when he sits simply step back r turn him around you and back into the stand.  Give the stand command and praise.  You could also step to wards him so he has to back up and then you can move him forward into a stand again.

My breed is freestanding and the urning them around you in your spot is often used if you can't get a good stand by lead movement or just a step back or forward..

thanks for that, he's not told to sit at all,in fact when being given a treat we tend to ask him to stand and wait,although if he meets anyone he will sit as they bend down to stroke him.your'e right he does lack a bit of confidence,charlies(not cavs) were known for being timid with strangers,in fact many adults in the ring still dislike the table or being stood over.i will be patient with him as always as i am aware that if im too harsh or overwork him he will retract even more.he does love show days and i dont want him to start dreading it.i want to make it fun fun fun! will try the backing up or turning him around into the stand again and see if that works.thanks,roy.

Silly thought, do you keep one collar/lead just for showing. used to have a xbreed that we took to exemption shows, if he had his every day collar or lead he would sit, if he had red nylon set on he did not understand the word sit and even if you put him in a sit he would instantly stand again.
Chris

yeah,he does have seperate leads/collars.even when training he's in his show-set so he knows.every day use he has a buckle collar and flexi lead.i think brainless hit the nail on the head,he is a bit unsure of things at the mo,as he will free-stand great at home but seems to be going through a bit of a fear stage when in the ring.i am treading very carefully with training as i know he could switch off from shows if he starts to dread them.basically i'm acting as if its all fun fun fun.i'm using lots of praise when he is doing things right so that he keeps interested,and will give the advice from brainless a spin at training and see if the physical aspect of making him back up or turning him around gets him in the right position.this afternoon i cooked some liver for the dogs and have been practising with him and he seems really keen on it ,so im going to only use it for training/shows and see if it keeps his attention.once again thanks for the tips.roy

You've been given great advice, roy.
And the liver sounds promising.
Another thing I've found to sometimes do the trick, is
cooked chicken hearts. They are really handy, don't
grease your pockets, and most dogs go wild for them.
Could be worth a try if the liver effect wears off.
Good luck,
Karen

You've been given great advice, roy.
And the liver sounds promising.
Another thing I've found to sometimes do the trick, is
cooked chicken hearts. They are really handy, don't
grease your pockets, and most dogs go wild for them.
Could be worth a try if the liver effect wears off.
Good luck,
Karen

Would it make sense to actually teach him a sit?  If you teach and reward ALL positions he will learn to distinguish between them.  It's easy enough to then teach movement from sit to a stand, step forward, step back etc.

Once he's got the hang of these at home then be sure to never ask for a sit once he's in his show lead.  I think as others have said your dog will learn that different things are expected at different events.  As you say it may be a phase but a bit of extra training can't hurt! :)

Packet ham is the treat that sends mine into a frenzy - it's too exciting for the ring but worked very well at training class.  Liver cake is the best for me at shows but even then I have to take care not to tip mine over the edge - he gets a bit desperate and is inclined to show me everything he knows!!