...well, I consider her young. She has just gone two and is a greyhound. We have had her for about five months. At home and out and about, she is a bouncy, confident young thing, eager to leap about and delighted to have attention from anyone at all. She is a real extrovert at home and a total pleasure. We have now been to three ringcraft classes, each nearly two hours long, and she is a very different dog at them.

At the first class, which was on a wooden laminate floor, she found it scary to walk on and would barely walk at all. Second class, she more or less conquered that fear but would shy away if someone came to go over here from any direction other than head on initially.

Also, as I go to ringcraft with my partner and our other dog, we usually swop dogs, but more often than not he handles our girl at ringcraft. When we swop, she spends her time pining for him and trying to get back to him. according to my partner, when he has her, she keeps her eyes trained on me and the other dog. We have started keeping some distance between each other at class to see if she will focus more and it helps somewhat.

She is fine with the floor now and moves very well, except for her head which she carries very low...she looks very glum. Unusual for a dog who is normally bouncing around full of life on any walk. She is getting very used to meeting new people and dogs but  I suppose it's still a big change for her.

I am not expecting miracles just looking for advice on how to improve her confidence etc. Obviously if in time she still hates ringcraft we will stop going but we have been advised by the people there that she will get used to it and in fairness she has made a lot of progress in three classes.

Anyway, they advised me to enter her in the open show I am entering my male dog in this week. I think it would be best if my partner and other dog are not in view when we are in the ring, what do you guys think? I am not expecting anything remotely from her and will not be surprised if i am 'embarrassed' by her funny behaviour. I just want to let her experience it and see what she thinks.

Any advice appreciated!

As she's only been to ringcraft 3 times and has improved, keep going.  It's difficult if they don't keep their head up, next time at ringcraft could you try having something in your other hand that she can see, is she food orientated? If you enter her for the show you're thinking about then yes keep partner and other dog out of view.  Nothing worse than someone standing outside the ring and the dog in the ring not concentrating on the job in hand just looking at the person outside of the ring. Good luck and keep persevering, as you say when she's been going to ringcraft for a while and she still doesn't like it then fair enough, but give her a chance.

My thought is that 2 hrs at ringcraft is far too long for her at the moment.If she were my dog then I would start off by just sitting with her and watching the class so that she can get accustimed to the noise,other dogs etc. Then when she is happy with this join in for a short time only, and when moving her talk to her keep her attention on you and keep her happy. Also don't push the element of people going over her.As she is happy with people approaching her from the front then do just that initially and remember to reward her good behaviour.Get the instructor to just touch her from the front and to stop if she becomes scared or unhappy.

The most important thing is to not try and rush her and with patcience hopefully she may get used to ringcraft and enjoy it but bear in mind that some don't.  Treat her as if she were a puppy going to ringcraft  and don't try and compare her to dogs of her age that have been attending since they were pups. You could try using a dap spray on your clothing,especially down your legs, as someone at my club tried that with a shy dog and after a few weeks the dog was much more relaxed.

Personally I wouldn't enter her in a show this weekend but take her along NFC and take a crate that she can sit in and watch what is going on around her and relax in.Also take a blanket so you can cover it and let her have time to  sleep.

As somebody who has had her fair share of dogs not liking to be shown, I really echo what Japmum said -all of it. Rushing is more likely to put her off for life. I had a bitch I'd bred back in December. She looks fantastic, has great temperament and I hope to show her. So I've entered her for one open show NFC in February, one in March NFC, will go to classes in between, and all being well (IF she copes with it all) she will be taking part in her first show end of March. I entered NFC as opposed to in the shows as to not be tempted to take her in the ring should she seem fine. I rushed her sister last year and lived to regret it.

I'd just add that what I do is when I arrive at training, ringcraft, a show, anything like that, the very first thing that happens is that out comes the REALLY special treats, the ones never seen at home -like sausages, hot dogs, chicken, ham and of course liver.  The dogs learn that "this is one of these places where you get the nice treats". :)

Hounds move naturally with their heads down . exhibitors sometimes  use fine pretty chains or leather slips  but put them up behind their ears and it helps keep their heads up on the move.We started showing at sight hound shows or  in companion(were called exemption) shows ,meet other hound folk,hounds are quieter in the ring, look at whippets , looking as if butter wouldn't melt....she may look for your partner when she is in the ring , or for you , if your partner wants to handle her, better for one of you to hide .If she's getting used to the floor and noise she is coming on well.

> except for her head which she carries very low

A dogs natural head carriage whilst moving is not high and normally not above shoulder height. I have a Whippet who carried her head lower than some prefer but it was the natural carriage so you shouldnt worry..to much.

I know the head carriage shouldn't be high but she carries hers extremely low with a remarkably morose look that says 'I want to go home' :( On normal walks it would be a different level. Mind you, she's a very sniffy hound compared to some so that could be to do with it.

There was no NFC option for this open show on Saturday and I imagine she'll be the only one in her class so it will be very like ringcraft and not too taxing.

Thanks everyone for your advice. We were at a disadvantage last night at ringcraft because she disliked the new treats we'd brought so it's back to those little sausage roll thingies!

Any confidence building ideas still very much appreciated :)

you need more than markies ...as a special treat for the ring, baked liver or small pieces cocktail sausages/cheese