I would just like some opinions please.

My pup is due to start showing on the 19th June. At present, he will stand, but it's nothing spectacular, and most of the time he appears to be "backing off".
If I bait him, he produces the most wonderful striking stand.

So... do I just accept this and bait him in the ring? (How many people with minor pups/pups bait in the ring? I have a gsp ?) Or how do I work towards producing such a nice stand non baited?

Opinions much appreciated.

Do anything that helps him enjoy it! Baiting is fine as long as it isn't thrown around, and not stuffed into his mouth all the time. A small titbit offered to encourage him to stand when the judge is looking at him, and given as a reward when the pressure's off, is perfectly acceptable at any age.

Thanks. Here are a few pics to show you what I mean! (I hope I'm allowed to post them in this format)

Without bait

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa312/justcloud/DSC01258.jpg

With bait

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa312/justcloud/DSC01257.jpg

I don't know anything about stacking, I'm afraid; my breed is only ever shown free-standing. I'm sure someone who knows more about stacking will be along soon to help you.

In the first picture his front feet are too far forward, which is making his head droop, which doesn't help.

He stands better when baited.

The first photo is what would be described as 'rocking horse'
or 'A'ing, where the front legs aren't underneath - i.e. if you put a ruler in a straight line from the neck
the legs should be on the same ruler line
But what would be better I'm guessing for a GSP is to also
put the word 'wait/watch' and get them to stand but watch the bait and only
give him a piece occasionally.
So you'd hold it just away from his muzzle in your hand and can use 'watch' or 'wait' after a
few minutes then give a piece of bait.
You then do the same slowly increasing time between giving a piece of bait and the watch command.

Good Luck :)

Agree in first shot the front legs are badly placed, much better in the second but I do not like the bait help against the muzzle. I only free stand but wonder if you move the bait hand away from the head a little then raise of lower to get the head and neck right.

Normally when you show in a total stack with a hold at both ends - which you are doing in the photos you would not bait at all. The muzzle should be being held in place by your hand so that the judge cannot see. This should allow you to extend the neck etc and keep the dog in place.  You need to practice in front of a mirror.

The only breed stacked in a hold and then baited constantly off the top of my head is a Dobe

You hold it away from the muzzle - it's kind of hard to explain it well on the web...
and you get the dog to watch your hand on command the hand isn't on the muzzle
it's held away from the dogs head and at the correct angle.

This is best practised infront of a mirror

our breed is baited usually
I start with full frequent baiting to encourage attention, then slowly start delaying the giving of the bait, so they watch my hand or finger, I then reward when they focus with ears and expression alert and on my finger. If they move to the bait, it goes back in my pocket, we circle and try again.
My youngest is now 9 mths and I only need to give her a couple of bits of bait now as she is getting much better, I also teach her to catch bait at home using "catch" and this encourages a very alert and correct expression for our breed.

I think you have to work out what works for you, my older bitch is not food motivated and lobs around the ring like a sack of spuds so give me a bait hungry dog any day!