I've a 13 week old Shiba Inu and am thinking of showing him when he's older. We have started the Kennel Club puppy foundation course (to teach him the basic commands) but should we be going to a Ringcraft class as well or wait till the puppy class is finished then start the Ringcraft class? He gets on relatively well with other puppies but would a Ringcraft class (with older dogs) be too much for him at this stage?

He occasionally walks at a nice speed but mostly he's straining at the lead (and chasing leaves at the moment!). The puppy class should cover walking with a loose lead but everything I've tried so far hasn't really worked (stopping - he jumps up or tries to eat my trainers!), holding a treat and saying heel - ditto! So unless they fancy a speeding furball in the ring, any advice on slowing him down would be appreciated!!

Finally, does any shiba owners have advice on grooming a shiba puppy (without it trying to bite your hand off!!). I've a slicker brush and attempt to brush him each day but unless he is half asleep or eating his dinner, he tries to attack the brush. He's also got dandruff - how do you get rid of it?

Thanks

i started ringcraft class with my puppy from an early age and continued on with the obedience training aswell and I can certainly see an improvement in his general behaviour. It also helps with greeting and sitting near other dogs. In obedience they will get your puppy to sit and of course ringcraft don't agree with this as you have to stand your dog for showing. For my puppy he knows that there is a difference and stands when told to, but you can tell your obedience trainers you are showing and you wish not to sit your dog.

I have tried a few things to get my puppy not to pull and the best way I have found is to stop and tell your dog to sit. Once he is settled and isn't pulling start off again but stop if it pulls again and so on,

Hope this helps, people may disagree with the sit and stand commands but it has certainly made my puppy learn the difference.

do them together but dont work you pup to hard.

as a ringcraft trainer one of the hardest tasks is to get an obedience dog to do ringcraft!

i would recormend doing them together but just be aware that you will have to stop when your up shows any signs of bordom!

I do my obedience on a Monday and did my ringcraft on a Wednesday and started both as soon as Anton was able to go out. I now only do ringcraft as he found obedience boring but he's soon to start heelwork to music

Please be careful not to over do things, I know someone who 'stacked' their pup and 'went over it' daily from an early age and now it won't show at all, doesn't matter who tries, or where, the reaction is the same a huge sigh and absolute refusal to do anything - which is a great shame because it is a cracker. Such a waste :(

Have to agree.I used to attend ringcraft every week and practice regularly in between with my first Elkie.By the time he got to the show ring he was like a robot-he did it all perfectly but there was no sparkle.My younger one went to ring craft once a month with a little practice occasionally at home and is a super showdog and he loves it.
Thankfully my older boy has now improved since he no longer does ringcraft.
Archer

Have to say I agree,ringbored that's what sox is.She has been going to ringcraft since 12 weeks,am pulling her out for a rest.Shady on the other hand has hardly been due to problem with paperwork and stacks great,glad to say paperwork looks to be getting sorted out and i'll be able to show her if she wants it!!!!