Hi,
Can anyone give me any advice on training a cavalier puppy to stand please. I am used to showign irish setters and cocker spaniels, which of course are stacked breeds, so am feeling rather lost as where to start with a baited breed. We went to our first ringcraft class yesterday, where Lewy seemed to get the idea regarding moving, but on the table he just crawled into my arms, and at the end of moving he did somersaults (very entertaining but not very easy for the judge to look at!). I know its early days, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Erin

Hi Erin,

I started my girls off by placing them on a table, making sure they were on a rubber mat so they don't slip. then give them tit bits ( liver or a tub of cottage cheese normally works well) While they are eating just gently lift the bottom up with your other hand and tickle there belly. Keep saying stand all of the time but don't worry about were legs are until they have just got standing mastered. Make sure these training sessions only last a couple of minutes and are fun, they should get the hang of it in no time.

Hope this helps
Debbie

Hi Erin

I take my Cavalier puppies to pet obedience classes & when everyone else makes their dogs sit I make them turn & face me in the stand & they only get rewarded it they stand. Believe me it doesn't take long, also do a couple of minutes training a day & always finish when it is done right

On the table again a couple of minutes a day I use a grooming table & teach a stand for titbits handling as little as possible so they gain confidence

Just one thing don't let anyone try to force your puppy to allow them to look at the teeth. It can be upsetting especially when they are teething. just gently run your finger across the teeth when your puppy is sitting with you(& cavaliers do like to sit with you) when he is happy then you the same when he is on the table then when he is happy with you doing that get a friend to do the same

Good luck

Thanks Debbie and Moonmaiden!
I will start putting your advice into practise tomorrow. I did think a little practise each day was the way to go, it was just a little confusing where to start, the initial urge is to start stacking then i remind myself he's not an irish setter! Hopefully with a few minutes work a day and weekly ringcraft we'll get there!

Thanks once again, Erin.

I have just started taking my 2 Cav pups to puppy classes where they are learning clicker training. They have only been to one class so I cannot really tell you alot about it. I am just trying to find ringcraft classes for my 5mth old dog .

Where abouts are you - I train in Bradford at West Riding Ringcraft, have had Cavaliers for over 20 years and offer help to all.