We are new to the showing scene and are showing a 15 month old black lab bitch. She is of lovely type, with many good features and attributes. She stands beautifully in the ring, but does not like moving in the ring on the show lead. The least amount of tension on the lead and she goes even slower, it is a shame because she would do very well if she moved better. Any suggestions on how we can motivate her would be welcomed

You say on her show lead...does this mean she moves better on her normal lead?  Is it worth getting a new show lead..heavier or lighter???

I know with one of my dogs he moves better on a heavy chain, yet one of my bitches moves better on a very fine and light chain that she can barely feel!

Ice

We've changed the lead, which is a cord one and is longer than the original lead so that she does not fell confined. Is there any way that we can make her see it as more fun? I think she sees all the strutting about as boring.

You could try a sausage in your left hand.  As you run keep your left hand low and forward and she should follow your hand - or the sausage!!

Thanks for the input. Yes we do the sausage, and sometimes it works. We don't feed her on the day of a show so that she is keener for the treat, sometimes it works, sometimes not. She has just finished her first season and I am hoping that she will like the show environment a bit more. Do dogs react differently to indoor and outdoor venues. She has never shown in an outdoor venue, but the next two shows are outdoor. 

Some dogs will not show indoors and are fine outside, others just do not like showing. Would cut back on the training and try to make the whole thing more exciting, you are allowed to call and praise you dog in the ring and that is what I would do, if she gets so excited that she runs and leaps about I would not worry you can calm that down latter once she has decided she likes what you are doing.

Unfortunately if she does not want to show there is nothing you can do about it except stop showing, try not let it get to that point, may be go to a few show and do not take her into the ring just spend the day making sure she has a lovely time. Good luck.

Thanks for that - I have wondered about cutting back on the ringcraft training and doing some other stuff with her. She loves the social aspect of the shows and watches the other dogs strutting their stuff with great interest.

During the winter we entered a few shows at Newark which was inside (in dark dingy buildings), and my beagle never walked very well.  However, now she is outside on grass her movement has vastly improved.  
Also, now she is reasonably steady, we don't take her to ringcraft as much - maybe twice a month so she doesn't get bored with it.
We also found that just after a season her behaviour was a little odd, eg she'd walk out fine, but would really slow up coming back to the judge.   Maybe this has a bearing on your bitch as well.
Personally, I don't like show her food when I'm walking her as she won't walk straight, but treat her when she's finished. 
Movement is very frustrating.   Willow can have loads of enthusiasm and walks lovely outside the ring, but sometimes in the ring, it all changes.   I have to wonder if it's something I'm doing - maybe nerves, or there's more tension/pressure on the lead?

sarah

It is difficult to get everything right at the same time. We shall see what her reaction will be to the outdoor shows.  The least amount of tension on the lead and she is guaranteed to slow down, even if we have food. She is sound on movement and has good top line so it is a shame that she does not show off to her best. We don't have a show until the end of July so we can lay off the training for a bit.

Just had a thought, between now and July drop the ringcraft and see if you can get her running off lead at heel, and sometimes lay your hand on her neck and say something encouraging like lets go girl. Then, when you have her on her show lead you can say 'lets go girl' and with a bit of luck, she will.

Hi Jackie H, we have taken your suggestion on board to drop the ringcraft and get her to move off lead which she has taken to with great enthusiasm. It is early days but we shall see if it helps at the next show.

Thanks again

Manxpat

Sounds hopeful and if you can get her to learn the cue word (like lets go) that should, may, take over from the feelings of anxiety she may feel at the moment when she is asked to move in the ring. Would also try to work on relaxing yourself, care a little less is she leaps about in the ring, it does not matter, go quietly back to the beginning and start again but use the 'cue' word with a little less enthusiasm.  Also when standing with her in the line before or after your turn play a little calm game with her, talk to her, reward her for touching your hand with her nose, the reward can be anything between a smile through a 'good girl' to a tit bit. Doing something like that will help relax you and therefore relax her.

We don't mind if she leaps around (prefer that to her being too flat). My eldest daughter is going to show her at the leeds show (our first ever champ show), and we will practice the way you have suggested between now and then.

We've never been to a benched show as our shows are all unbenched. I've got benching chains - is there anything else I need to worry about beyond the usual of water, making the dogs comfortable etc. Any advice would be wonderful.

Not everyone will agree with me but I like benching, gives you more time to get yourself comfortable (toilet visit and food) sort your dog equipment, groom and exercise them and then put them back on the bench where they can relax. Benching chain and water bowl are all you need really some people take a blanket for the dog to lay on but that is not necessary, so do that if you like but I think you have what you need covered.