My bitch has been doing quite well in the ring and until last year was happy in the ring and stood well for judges to look at her mouth and so on.
I hasten to add that out of the ring this girl is the most loving dog of my breed that I have ever owned.
The last few shows she pulls back when the judge approaches to look at her mouth and just not so showy. Any ideas that will help us back on track again.
It is such a shame as we were doing so well and when she was showing well, pulled everything up together and looked a different dog.

Could it be hormonal or has a judge been rough with her or given her a fright. She may need a break from the ring for a while.

I'd give her a break from showing but perhaps continue with ringcraft and try in tiny steps to build a positive association in having her mouth looked at.

You may have to go right back to basics and build up again. Start by just touching her lips and treat and then gently lift her lips and so on. Once she is confident and relaxed with you doing this then start to get other people involved.

If she enjoys games you could make looking at her teeth a prelude to a fab game. What you want is for her to make that really strong positive assn.

I'm sure you will have done the obvious thing and made sure she hasn't done something to her mouth or a tooth- anything that might be sore or painful.

The thing is she doesn't worry about me doing it at all and I tried a chap who worked with me for a lomg while and that didn't bother her either. I'll carry on with treat association I just wondered whether any of these calming potions were any good.

So it is in the context of the ring only that she gets worried? Do you get tense, could she be picking up on a little anxiety in you? I don't know how high up you are in the classes but would there be a way you could make being in the ring a bit more fun and light-hearted? It sounds like she may have just become a little overawed by the whole thing and having a strange person go to look at her mouth is just too much. Or, as others have suggested someone has been too rough with her.

You say she is exceptionally loving and perhaps she is rather more sensitive. I'd still take a break from the actual ring but go to ringcraft and try to make it fun and less intense. You could also perhaps go to some shows but enter NFC but just make sure she and you have a great time. When there is a break, like at lunch, get a few friends in the breed to look her over in a ring, but keep it really light- perhaps play a game.

Yes only in the ring. I have no doubt that she picks up things from me. Perhaps I should take some calming remedy. I had thought I ought to go back to ringcraft but it is a bit of a journey for me. We are showing at Crufts next week but after that I'll perhaps give her a break.
In years gone by I have found previous dogs of mine have enjoyed the space you get in the big ring so we will see what happens. In the meantime I will carry on with trying to desensitse with treat training.
Thanks for you comments.