Went to an Open Show today got a third. Quite happy because it was a very good class, but was gobsmacked with the judges remark afterwards.

Whilst walking my girl around the show passed the judge who came across to me with her friend saying 'this is that lovely bitch, can't wait to get home and read her breeding, what breeding is she I think she is just lovely'. I told her the breeding and she thought she had recognised it and said 'I would have thought she should have been in a higher class she is just superb'.

If she thought she was so good why did she only give her a third? After twenty years I still don't understand them!!!

May be the judge was lucky enough to have 3 superb dogs in the class and had to choose, and of the 3 smashing dogs yours was 3rd.

Yes maybe

That's a reasonable thought actually.  I've been at a show before and placed 2nd out of 11.  In the final line-up the judge said, quite honestly, that it was a fantastic class and there was very little between any of the top 3 and that he wished he had a 1st for all of them.

Wendy

It does happen and although I find it very hard when it does it is a pleasure to have that task to do, chose between a class of dogs anyone of which you would be happy to place 1st.

I was told by a judge this weekend "She is a lovely bitch, but you really must try and get that tail down"  :rolleyes: No one has tried harder than me to get it down :(  But I expect he thought he was trying to help.

Sandra

He was telling you that your exhibit would have been better placed if the tail had been carried in the way the standard calls for. Or if he placed you well that your dog would do even better if you could sort the tail.

Well he gave me the 1st. I wasn't criticising his comment, he was right, I know what he was getting at.   I know it was too high, it was a jokey comment from me as to how hard I do try to keep it down. :) 

If you have someone to help with the training you could try the clicker - or have you tried that already. Have seen it correct a tail carrage within a day.

I have used clicker in standard training, but haven't done it with the tail problem.  Not sure where I would start with that, I am having difficulty in a show situation where she is that much more hyper.  Her breeder often takes her into Champ. shows for me and she holds it down beautifully for her, so I know it is there, I just can't find a way for her to do it with me.  The clicker is worth a try though, thanks for that.

Think I would try by getting you to mover her and the moment the tail went anywhere near the required position the person watching clicks, you stop and treat. But you would best to use 2 or 3 short sessions a day and the person watching would need to know about the tail requirements and the timing of the clicker. If you do try don't forget to start with even the smallest improvement on the tail whilst you are moving.

Hi Sandra oh how I know that feeling somebody else takes them and their tail carriage is perfect the minute mum takes over then whey hey up it goes with a nice white tip on the end for all to see.If you crack it let me know how and if I do I'll tell you LOL.Gillian

LOL.....I think you might have a long wait on me cracking it first, but I am armed with my clicker today to do some training in my lunch hour.  I will go out in the lovely sunshine with POSITIVE thoughts.  ::D
Sandra