Hi,
Can anyone help me or give me some advice.My puppy is nearly five months old and we have been going to ringcraft for the last two months. For the life of me I just can't get him to stand and stand still. As soon as he faces me he sits and I have to coax him up with food. If I keep the food in his face he will stand, but otherwise he is looking round at the other dogs and sitting down. I have looked at his teeth from an early age to try and get him used to this and have never been rough with him. Now he has decided he doesn't like this and backs off if I or the jugde go to look in his mouth. He is such a lovely dog and I so want him to behave at his first show. Even if he doesn't win a thing I would like him to stand correctly and let the judge see his teeth. Does anyone have any tips on how I can get him into the swing of things?
Best Wishes
Amy

Just remember he just a baby, my Briard is 10 months old and she is just starting to behave properly. Most judges like a puppy to be a puppy, they shouldn't stand stock still at that age, they are naturally nosey, and just can't help it. With regards to the teeth, get other members of the family to go over the dog rather than do it yourself your pup will soon get the hang of it. It takes alot of regular training, everyday for 15 mins or so, and kindness to get them to them statue stage.

Thank you so much for your reply. I spoke to my friend last night who owns his Sire and she said exactly the same thing, he is a baby, he will improve, but this is perfectly normal. The thing is at the ring craft I go to most of the puppies under six months do stand still and show teeth. This is what got me worried, was I doing something wrong? I have to admit some do leap about and won't walk in a straight line or let the judge go over them, but with this being my first time I wasn't sure what to expect from him. His new trick is to yawn as widely as he can when you go to look at his mouth, so I don't know if we will ever see a scissor bite or not!
Once again, thank you for putting my mind at rest, I was worrying as his first show is on the 20th July and I was imagining all the other puppies would be stood perfectly and we would be the only ones misbehaving and getting muddled!
Best Wishes
Amy & Noah

When the judge goes over him, try standing at he side of him, with his show lead quite high up behind his ears (american style). then when she approaches him gently hold his flabby bit on his side near his back leg. He will not be able to move backwards, and will appreciate the contact. I was advised to do this as I have the same problem with my 7 month old, and at first thought it sounded a bit odd, but it worked and he even wagged his tail for her - which was a first.

I find that talking to your dog holds his attention .
Being a Staffy as soon as the judge got near he wanted to lick him and jump up . By talking to him softly as the judge goes over him holds his attention .
Lel

You can help his 'standing' along with clicker training. Teach him to stand - click and treat him for standing, as long as he stays standing repeat the word stand at intervals, and click and treat again. You can teach this over a short time, and once he's got it you can quickly leave out the click and treat - and if he's okay being baited, there's nothing wrong with holding the bait there for him to stand and treat him when he's 'finished' standing.

Wendy

My 4 and a half month old pup is great at standing at home but get him to ringcraft and will he stand? Will he heck as like! I'm afraid he's more interested in saying hello to everyone including the people who are checking him over. Like the other posts on here - everyone says to me he's only a baby and has lots to learn - in time - we're probably being impatient!!! I can't wait til he's 6 months old and we can have a go at showing - I'm sure we'll have some funny stories to tell about our experiences in the ring!

Good Luck - let us know if you come up with any handy tips!
Dexy

Stack him properly!!! Be forceful, don't be afraid just because he is young. Once he's learnt what to do you can go back to being nice to him. Ask him to stand. MAKE HIM stand. Then reward him. Don't let him avoid have his teeth be looked at. If he pulls away give him a sharp smack and say "NO". Teach him command "teeth" and praise when he doesn't pull away.
Be firm - you are the one in charge, not him.

I left it a bit late to take my puppy to ringcraft training as she was 6 months old. She was a terrible fidgit on the table and would not walk. Lots of people told me that puppies do fidgit and that judges like to see puppies being puppies ie not standing like a rock so young, so that helped a bit.
I usually try and practice standing and walking her for about 10 mins a day and now she's 9 1/2 months old and she's come on wonders. I think perseverance is the name of the game. She enjoys ringcraft, although she always wants to play with the other dogs. When she's on the table, her tail wags like crazy when the judge comes towards her.
I find it hard being too forceful as I don't want to put her off, but I think you have to let her now who's boss but reward generously. When she does something well she always gets treated.