has anyone got any tips on how I can get my 8month girl to stop sitting while in the ring?
We haven't taught her to sit, she just does it naturally. I don't treat her til she stands. help!!
paula

Could you not put your hand under her tummy when stacking her, this does mean you need to be on your knee's though, me and my sister had to do that for Sophie and she was a large breed looked a bit weird but she soon grew out of it.

>Could you not put your hand under her tummy when stacking her

As it's a dal then they're not stacked - ever!

I find it best to make sure they stand in show stance before their meal is given to them. If you practice teaching her to only sit on command then she's less likely to sit in the ring.

They are free standing like my breed aren't they.

The method I use is to move the dog when it sits. 

Either step back so dog comes forward, or step toward it and it will back up.  alternatively turn the dog in a small circle and set them up again.

Be cheerful and upbeat about it and praise when stood.

thanks GG, yes she is a dal and is a freestander (sometimes LOL). she does stand and wait to be fed and is fed using a stand for her bowl. Her litter sister and my 2 other Dals all stand for treats, maybe she is just lazy!!
Paula

Thanks Brainless that is what I have been doing, its just that when the judge is coming along the line to look into their eyes she always seems to sit at precisely that moment and then it makes us look awkward having to shuffle her around LOL.
She is so good at sitting that even her breeder asked if I had taught her to sit!!!
ah well, no magic cure just keep on until the penny drops. x
Paula

Agree with JG. I also have a free standing breed. My pregnant bitch just watched my kids eat icecream and she instantly got herself into a show stand, complete with correcting her feet, in order to try to get something to eat. It becomes their way of begging. The trick is to wait for a stand (at first just ANY stand) instantly praise (easiest to use a click or clicker word so it can be done really quickly and then reward. Can be practiced so many times every day. :)

> when the judge is coming along the line to look into their eyes she always seems to sit at precisely that moment

Are other bitches in the class doing the same thing? I know i've been in one class, where it only takes for 1 or 2 to fidget and then the whole lot start.. lol..

The other things is to set her up that bit later, it maybe she is getting bored standing? Can you stick a treat in her mouth to keep her occupied to start with?

LOL I've had the same trouble with my dog. Now when I offer treats at home to the boys I ask them to stand, and last time we were out the judge suggested I place a foot behind him to stop him from sitting. He is getting much better with all three having to practice their stand--I think it's a matter of confidence (mine as well) to correct this in a positive and matter of fact way, because the more they sense you want them not to sit the more they tend to do it (my experience so far).

If she's too close to you then she's more likely to sit, because she's looking up so high hr bottom's more likely to go down. If she's standing further away, facing you, then her head will be at a more comfortable angle (which also makes their necks look better!).

Sitting when not being looked at is not a problem at 8 months, but the best way is to teach the command show which means stand in the show stance. Not too difficult with a breed that is food orientated because you can encourage it with a tit bit and reward when you get what you want, find a clicker very helpful with this because I find if you don't click the dog will try moving it's feet, ears etc. until you are happy, click and hand over the tiny bit of cheese.

thanks everyone, will be doing a bit more practise at home.
Paula x

One of mine always wants to lean on me and wants to sit down.  luckily I do stack her so can hold her bottom.

I find moving the treat and yourself away a little works with mine as they have to get up to follow the food, but dont worry to much if you where there sunday you would have noticed my girl still sat on sunday in the line up breifly and she is 3 and a half now

I would not worry to much anyway as she is still a puppy and i think most judges will let them off with being a puppy, just keep yourself calm and dont make a big deal of it and i am sure she will learn in time

hi paula dal thanks for this thread as been having same problem so have been reading with interest lol.
Went away and have been practising,went to ringcraft last night early days but I think we've cracked it to a point. She still sits but when she does I walk round and walk her into a stand again it's working as she didn't sit to many times like before lol.
So thanks again cd you have helped someone else who was just reading keep it up;)
So thanks again pauladal hope it works out for you to.

Nessa