My ringcraft class has no other malamutes and most people have no idea what a malamute is. My dilemma is Taiko can be quite rowdy at ringcraft, extremely vocal. I think he's perfectly behaved for a mal but the glares and stares from the other members are wearing me down. Any advice on a possible solution? We're limited in choice when it comes to ringcraft clubs so changing in't really an option. Taiko is 8 months.
thankyou
Julie :)

LOL I know how you feel :) As do most other Mal owners probably ..but that is also one of the reasons I won't take Hudson to exemption shows now too , as the sole Mal he gets the same glares when he woooos and leaps about when waiting to get looked at ..often by the Judge!!

Melody :)

Yep, no Mals at mine either. We found it more helpful to get together with other Mal owners for a "puppy day" where we did ringcraft practice. Any amount of jumping and woos were tolerated and we all had a good time. Other than that, we now train on our own at home.
Joan :)

Maybe you don't need to go every week now Julie. We only take Rosie and Jasmine about once every 3 weeks just to keep their hand in. I think Taiko is well behaved enough not to need constant ringcraft now. I know you say he's a devil but at Manchester he was perfectly behaved. Just keep up the practise, standing and running at home and he should be fine. All mine have been rowdy at ringcraft, Floyd particularly. Rosie screams whenever Jasmine goes out of her sight and John (chap who runs it) bellows 'shut that b****y dog up!!!' He loves her really :D
Another of my puppy owners is having the exact same trouble at her ringcraft, only mal there, very noisy pup, getting disapproving looks from everyone else. Exact same stuff. But I think, being as they have been going since they were 14 weeks or so, they should know their stuff by now. Give youself a break and don't go every week.

Yes Taiko was the model of perfect behaviour at manchester, but it's as if a switch gets flicked when he goes to ringcraft. He looks like he's having a ball, his tail goes non stop. He's so used to the whole thing it just doesn't phase him. He's fantastic when it's his turn, it's just the rest of the time, he has to be the center of attention. I'm certainly not worried about him, I just fantasise about locking some of the other breed owners up with mals for a week just to show them we are not the dog world equivalent of the Dingles! :D I think I'll do as advised and start giving him a break...or the other owners as the case may be. I'll admit ringcraft was ideal for socialising him but now he's allowed to be a tad more adventurous on his walk he's meeting lots of canines anyway.
Julie :)
ps
Everyone has to check out Windberg Blaze of Glory on maid marians website.....you see the grin on Taiko's face and you tell me he doesn't get a kick out of giving me grey hairs :D

he is gorgeous :D

swoon...:D

Hi Joan
Just wondering where you go for your ringcraft class?:)
Did you decide about the express?
Alison

I went to the one that was up near Morrisons but had to move to Ossett because of the redevelopment. As I say, I don't go any more for the same reasons as other Mal owners. If I have a particular problem, I visit his breeder who is very patient.
I didn't contact the Wakey Express - they contacted me :) They've done an interview and are coming for a piccy tomorrow
Joan :)

Hi Joan
That is Fab News:D
It's a shame the one near morrison's had to close it was only about ten mins walk from my house:(
Alison

Yes, the club moved because the Council wanted to sell the land. The Council gave them a home in Green Park but since then they've had hassles from the "anti-dog" people because they're in a park. Consequently, there's no outside activities allowed - no flyball, agility.... :(
Joan

Another thing to remember Julie is that Taiko may well be bored by ringcraft now. The same thing every week, stand and wait for an age for its turn, stand still, get looked over, do a run and back to the start again. With mals having active minds they can soon get bored and switch off, in which case they either look listless or get rowdy. Maybe thats why he was great at Manchester, because it was different, with all new people to see. Just go every 3 weeks to keep it in his head and to annoy those other people. We don't want them to think they have seen the last of you ;)