Hello there,

I have s 7 month old and we have been attending ringcraft almost weekly since 4.5 months where he is very good and mostly acts how I ask walks nicely have a bit of poblem with keeping his head forward when stacked and I can't run at speed I would like as over excited but trots nicely.

We went to our first show last weekend and he was a terror jumped up my leg the whole way round the ring and would not stay stacked at all. Was moving around a lot when judge was going over him

I have never baited him or used a toy but wondering if you have any suggestions and any suggestions on keeping his head forward when stacked as well.

I am going to join another local ringcraft this week as think he may have got to used to where we go.

We have a champ show next weekend he is entered in minor puppy and I a wondering whether to go but was a big entry fee.

I am a novice and this is my first show dog so we both need advice really.

Thank you

Hi Barry, this all sounds very normal for a puppy of this age. Judges will make allowances for puppy behaviour so don't worry too much. Try not to stress about it but be firm and kind and just continue to do the things you've been doing at training. I've been doing this for over 40 years and my 8 month old puppy is naughty too, it's just what they do. Enjoy your showing.

Puppies are hooligans!

If he's freestanding then hold the lead out in front of you and high to prevent him from jumping up. I have mine taught a "touch" command so if they go to sit, I can just put my right hand down and they'll get up to put their nose to it. With puppies, I do bait but build it up at home (make it longer on each training session before they get the reward) and give lots of fuss when you're done so they think it's fun It all comes with time, training and patience but there is more leniency with puppies for that reason. I had one show where the pup's mind was elsewhere and would not settle and I was there thinking we've placed last, and instead we got 2nd!

As long as you both enjoy it, then carry on and remember you always take the best dog home!

Judges 'should' make allowances for puppies in puppy classes.   You might take a break from actual classes for a while, and concentrate on getting him to behave at home - for short periods as the attention span of a puppy, in a new environment too, will be short.   I did a lot of stacking and moving training out on the heath with mine rather than at ringcraft.    Years ago, people didn't go straight to Champ shows, which are expensive! but would do a few Open shows for experience.   If the puppy settled and did well at such shows, then we'd go on to entering Champ shows.  This doesn't happen as much these days (and Open shows suffer with their reduced entries!).   Remember your nerves will transfer down the lead too.  But overall, as a judge, if there's a class of good puppies, how they behave will affect the placings, especially if the judge can't get their hands on the exhibit, or see how he moves properly.

The advice - remember you bring the best dog home, applies

Thank you everyone for all your words of advice I think maybe my nerves passed on to him and I forget he is still just a baby when we so really want to do well.

I always think he is the best dog so don't have to worry about that

Thank you