hi can anyone help with a problem i have with my 6 month standard poodle bitch, the thing is i,v trained her for showing at home since i had her at 9 weeks and she was doing fine standing doing her trot up & down she knows what stand & turn mean but since she has been going to ringcraft for the past few weeks she is so excited by the presence of all the other dogs & noise etc that she wont concentrate at all now' she will stand to let the judge go over her but when we go up & down she goes completly scatty & bounds around trying to get to play with the other dogs & completly flings a deaf ear to me, i know its partly her youth & partly her breed but she is entered for LKA and i'm going to look & feel a right idiot if she does it there she seems to think its party time in the presence of other dogs, i'm kind of scared to come down to hard on her as she has sparkle & enjoyment at being out & i would'nt want her to end up looking flat & bored how do i get her to pay attention & not get distracted she has no intrest in titbits she wont even sniff them please help Pawla

Hi Pawla

I'm at LKA too with my two - if they both behave I'll be gobsmacked:D

She is only a baby and the judge wouldn't expect her to be perfect. I don't know of any miracle solution to this. You've just got to keep at it with her. My older boy didn't get to start ringcraft and showing until he was 10 minths old due to the foot and mouth and he was awful. Wouldn't let a judge near him - but just five months later he is great. Still gets a bit giddy up the mat - but stands and lets the judge do his/her stuff nicely. Just keep at it. Enjoy it.

Good luck at LKA.

regards

Pam n the two mad n naughty boys

Has she got a favourite toy you could use to keep her attention on you?

First, please do not come down too hard on her. She's young, a baby, and has a lifetime left to show. Too much seriousness and emphasis on 'perfection' will do more to ruin an upcoming show puppy than anything else. Who cares if she bounces around the ring as long as she's sparkling? Personally, I could care less what people think of me with young dogs -- I'll do whatever I need to in the ring to keep them happy and animated. Nothing is worse than watching someone practically dragging a dog around the ring that doesn't want to be there.

I've taken young dogs in the ring that barked the entire way around or who tried to grab the leash or spent the entire time on the down and back with their nose buried in the grass as we 'gaited'.... I simply laughed, used it as a training session and shrugged off all the people who said that I would 'ruin' the dog by not being more serious. Those same dogs went on to win specialities, groups, and become top-ten dogs, as well as winning Best Opposite Sexes at Westminster Kennel Club in NYC.

Enjoy your time with the baby.... carry a squeaker toy, make noises yourself, coo and 'happy talk' her, clap her hands slightly in front of you, but close to your body. In other words, do whatever you can to make yourself a very happy, fun place to look at.

As far as LKA goes, if people want to think you're a 'right idiot' than laugh with them and tell them that you're conditioning her to win Crufts one day!

Have to agree with sierra don't worry about it they all go thru this at some stage in their show career - my schip dog was so easy to train everyone at ringcraft said I'd not needed to do any work with him he was born to show! His training was commented on at shows judges saying well done on his training he is very well behaved and happy in the ring.

All this stopped at Crufts this year (timing or wot?) he stood beautifully on the table etc but he just totally forgot everything he'd ever learn't when being moved, he's still the same now bounding around like a puppy jumping up at me walking on two legs sideways etc.

It hasn't stopped him getting a RBIS and BOB along with a few firsts and group placings at both champ and open shows usually by the time he's been round the ring 3 times he's settled a little more and manages at least one part of his triangle with all 4 feet on the ground lol. He's now 19mths old and I am hoping that he will pick his brains back up again at Crufts this yr - a woman can hope can't she?

I have often found the same thing with youngsters. The good thing is that in the ring at LKA you will be far enough from the ringside when you get to move your dog, that you should be able to get her to concentrate. I would also let her do a bit of socialising and getting rid of her curiosity before you go in the ring. After seeing the number of dogs that will be there, by the time she goes in the ring she may be a bit more blase. Try to be firm in a cajoling encouraging way, the last thing a judge wants to see is a flat poodle.

LKA will be my Minor Puppy, Bella's second ever show, she loves ringcraft so much that every time someone comes near here she rolls over on her back for a tummy tickle. She NEVER does it at home, unless I am sitting down with her. She stands like a pro for her treats at home, but never at ringcraft - so Paula you and I are in the same boat. I have put all thoughts of being placed out of my head and just hope she enjoys her day out, I certainly intend to and if we make some people smile - so what . When your puppy "gets her act together" and starts winning then you can have the last laugh!!!- graciously of course. LOL. Good luck. Anyone else there on terrier day?

Half this forum seem to have sporting dogs, so should be plenty of us there!

WL, to have a puppy roll on her back or kiss the judge is charming, to have a bitch in Open do it is embarasing. I do not show my Elli under a judge she knows as she suqirms on the ground in front of them in greeting and she is just coming up to 8 years. Hope you and the puppy will enjoy LKA, I am sure you will, but don't expect to be the only one with a puppy behaving like a puppy. Jackie H.

Hi guys thanks for your words of encouragment I guess thats what I really needed I know your right it does'nt really matter what she does, its me i'v been out of showing for a year and nerves are starting to kick in,this is a new breed to me and i'm going to feel like a novice all over again my last breed Weimaraners dont usually have the 'sillys' so its not something i'v expeienced before & have to admit when i'v seen young dogs misbehaving in the ring i'v been quick to scoff at the lack of training so now i guess i'll get my just deserts, so if you get the chance to get ringside for minor puppy bitch we should be 'entertaning' have found an old small toy to hold so i'm pinning my hopes on that, many thanks for all your replies its really helped me get it in to perspective, best of luck to all you guys showing at lka too. post your results Pawla.