Hi,

Just wonerdering how everyone else trains their dogs to keep their heads up while
doing the triangle in the ring on grass.

My first Golden no problem no training required while doing any triangle on grass she didn't put head down to smell.
My young male Goldie whilst does not do this now inside ,outside its difficult to keep his head up when we are on grass, we can practise on in our garden he doesn't do it or in fields or a park ONLY at dog shows which is a problem.I 've tried shortening lead without him looking too strung up,I've tried tempting him with treats and toys.When he was in puppy class I gave him a small toy to carry which solved the problem until one day he tossed it in the air and landed behind him so we gave up on that idea.
I also have a bitch puppy just out doing the same on grass (don't want this to be a habit with her) any ideas at all how you can train/handle so they don't do this

Really am lost what to do hoping he will outgrow this??
Any sugggestions greatfully appreciated.

Briony:-)

i can only think of trying to keep eye contact with him, not sure if you are allowed but talk to him, keep your voice high and interesting.

as you said, he is young, and you will have to get him to understand that you are more interesting than sniffing the floor. :D

sorry cant be of more help
Gem

Hi,

Thanks I do try this talk to him ,encoraging him but it seems to fall on deaf ears ,seems far too interested on the smells on that grass than to listen to me,although at the end on the triangle or when we finished the up ,down he free stands fine with head up to finish.

Briony:-)

wasnt there a post somewhere which suggested putting purfume on dogs paws so they keep their heads up ??

and Vicks under the nose :)

Hi,

Knowing my luck he will either spend the triangle sneezing and snorting or like so much he will be licking and sniffing the ground some more:-)

Briony:-)

Start off by teaching him what you want from him - ie head up and praise when he is correct.

You can then start training with distractions - food, weeds (mine once stopped for a daisy)  and toys and "smelly" objects on the floor so youget pleanty of practice against any sorts os distractions you may meet in the ring.

Hi,

Thanks for the replies,generally noises no problem,or people eating at the ringside
or children just the smell on the grass.I'm sure he was a bloodhound in a previous life :-)
We will keep working on it:-)

Briony:-)

I would try training with an actual command I use "Head up"for my cavaliers as they do like bitching if they are at a show where there have been bitches in before them. I treat every time the head comes up, being greedy little s*ds it works easily.

If possible get to the show early and walk him round the ring before judging starts so he can sniff then!  Also teach a command like others have suggested.  My are all tained to "head-up" normally with the holder dogs all you have to say is "head" and they atisipate! Teach him what the command means by lifting the head and sayiing the command and then praising .  With my setters and aussies I use this for standing aswell, holding the dogs head, when it gets heavy I tell them "head" and they lift it so its easyier to hold!

Rox

Hi,

Again thanks for the replies,with the young bitch I could probably train her by using the word head up and she gets a treat.
My young dog(14 months) is not food orintated in the ring at all so I'll just have to keep thinking on that one.

Briony:-)

Does he like praise or a silly voice?  You could try that.  It doesn't have to be done with treats

Rox