Hi everyone,

I am after some advice. I have a 3 and a half year old bitch on 1cc and 2rccs. She has just come back out after having her litter. Before her pups she had started being silly on the move, pulling to the side when we move away from the judge. She doesn't do it on the way back at all, but also does it on the up and down. I don't want to string her up as she drops her tail, if I pull her she just does it once I've slacked the lead again and looks worse.
Any ideas on how I can get her out of this as I know it's spoiling her chances. I have moved her on the other side of me so that she can't do it and she's fine then but I'm not sure if a judge would frown upon this.
Any help appreciated.

Mel

As long as it's for the up and down moving her on the other side is fine (though I get in a muck and fuddle doing it).  It's the classic way of breaking a dog from crabbing.  Another way in practise is to move close to a wall so they cannot do it.

Of course for the triangle, but as you will be going off at an angle anyway just take the angle sharper so she ends up where you need to, it should;'t affect the straight across and she'll be doing what you need coming back to the judge.

Have you tried encouraging perhaps with food bait or small squeaky toy used as a lure to see if she will move closer to you?
I.E - hold a piece of something mega tasty bit of say pepperami or small bit of edam/babybel cheese
or tuna cake chunk in one of your hands and that may encourage her to come closer in when moving on the right side.
Or when moving outside the ring practising move her on the wrong side of you and then when going in the ring move her
on the 'proper' side...You might get around moving her on the triangle by doing it back to front (by doing the traingle to the left of the ring) and moving her on your right hand side but the up and down you'd get in the way of judge's view and may be seen as a complete
novice exhibitor...so that one you'd need to have your dogs co-operation to be moved on the correct side...
I have seen people turn their dogs at each corner of the triangle in a circular movement to off balance which can make them move properly.

Thanks brainless :)
I have started my triangle with her on the other side while the judge is watching her rear movement so I'm not blocking any view, then I have to do a little jig at the corner to get myself on the other side! Lol. This does the trick so I suppose if I do it for a while until she forgets this silly crabbing business it might do the trick. I live in hope!!

Mel.

I've tried the bait trick, she's really showy and greedy for food when stood but completely blanks it when we start moving. I can feel her ready to go and I know what she's planning before it happens. She's not really into toys either, unlike her daughter.
I might try keeping a piece of bait which she doesn't usually get specifically for when we move off. Something really smelly and different might just get her attention. Thank you.

Mel.

There is not real reason why you can't do the triangle the other way with her in your right hand, just ask if the judge minds if you handle with the right hand and off you go.

Maybe have her checked out by a chiropractor just to make sure there is nothing out of alignment?