My 15 mth old bitch has done well in the show ring but the last 3-4 months and she has decided that she doesnt like it.  She pulls to get out of the ring and when moving her tail goes under and she weaves around instead of the nice driving movement she has.  She will do fine outside the ring and at ringcraft, it just seems to be when she gets in a ring she wants out.

She will stand lovely and let the judge go over her, she just spoils it when she moves with her tail glued to her bum.

ANy ideas on how to get her tail up and her looking a bit happier?

Lynn

I dont know if this will help but I give my girls some Valarium and Scullcap drops availible from Dorwest Herbs when we arrive at a show and just before she goes in and it relaxes her but doesnt affect her performance.  I was actually going to stop showing her as she was so unhappy but she is now a different dog.  Hope this helps you like it did me.

Thanks for the message.  I rang Dorwest Herbs and that is what they suggested and I bought some.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  I am giving her 5 tablets daily for 5 days before the show and then 5 inthe morning before we go to the show.

I will let you know how it works.

Lynn

well we got to the show and she was wagging.... she was fine on the bench and although not as happy still wagging. We took her off the bench to go to the side of the ring and her tail went under.....ears down.... judge broke for lunch so we put her back on bench.... tail wagging..... I went to Dorwest herbs for advice and they said to use some valarian compound in liquid form and give her some immediately.  We did and when she moved in the ring her tail came up....yipee!!!  although we did have the problem of her backing off the judge and she has NEVER done that before??? as soon as the judge went round her back end she sat down and wouldnt stand for love nor money and that is a new one! ???  She moved ok and stood ok other than that...

We are going to try again at Leeds and if she doesnt do it then ....she is for rehoming !! lol only joking!

Lynn

Think if she was mine I would take her out of the show ring for a few months and try some other activity she may find more exciting. Then try again.

lynn just reading your post cant help but do you think its a phase they go through Amy is going to be a year old at the begining of August. Jim showed her a fortnight ago and she started playing in the ring She goes again in a fortnight so fingers crossed. Hope it sorts itself out for you

Jean

Thanks for your replies.

She is entered in Leeds and Bournemouth so I will take her to those shows and then give it a rest for a while.  I have a new puppy coming out anyway so I will concentrate on him for a while.

Thanks again
Lynn

Hiya Lynn

Have you considered using T Touch massgae to relax her at the show ? you don't need any special skills use have a good read of Lynda Tellington's website They use 1 & 1/4 circular massages all over the body & the natural endorphins are released allowing the dog to "chill"out

I would also try some obedience fun training with a temp test type stand for the judging bit

Many Many years ago my Blue Beardie bitch went like this & when she learnt to chill out she relaxed in the ring & got made up winning her first CC under a male judge even though she was never keen on men

Hi Moonmaiden,

Thanks for your reply which I find very interesting.  Where will I find the TT website?  What do you mean by obedience fun training with a temp test?

I have no idea why she wouldnt stand yesterday for the judge as she has always been very good with both men and women.  She has never been wary of the judge going round the back.... so to speak!

I eagerly await your reply.

Thanks
Lynn

T Touch link

Fun obedience means(well to me)doing heelwork. recall retrieve as per the tests but not as strict lots of silly talk & all done off lead with titbits toys as encouragement & very short training sessions with lots of play in between. The Temp test is just getting  friend to walk up & run a hand over the dogs back

Just had a thought is she anywhere near a season  before or after ?

Lynn,
Maybe she could pick up on some of the judges nerves yesterday :-).  Don't forget it was HER first time awarding CC'c in the Breed.  It's amazing how sensitive our dogs can be.

Bracken.

Did Lynn not say it had been for the last 3 or 4 months or have I missunderstood

Sorry, I was referring to this part of the post:

'although we did have the problem of her backing off the judge and she has NEVER done that before'

Bracken.

Hi and thanks again for the suggestions.  Maybe she did pick up on the judges nerves, I never thought of that.  She isnt due in season again until the end of Aug, beginning of Sept.  She has been "unhappy" in the ring for the last 3/4 months in fact possibly since her last season.  I will try and fun training and when I next go to ringcraft I will have different people going over her.  I dont have many people come to the house as I have a "pack" of dogs and they can be intimidating for anyone who isnt used to large barking dogs. (It has its advantages as I dont have door to door sales people call !!)

Anyway I will see how we get on at Leeds on Monday and if anyone is around and wants to say hi please do.

Lynn

Hi

Don't know what time you are in but I'll be there with my Spanish, will get there near the start and I can show you how to do the T-touch before she goes in if possible !!

E-mail me and I'll send you my mobile no. so you can phone me on Monday and see if I'm there.  I'm hoping to go tomorrow but one of my pups is being picked up so depends upon when they go :d

Hi Perrodeagua,

That is so kind of you. I would be most grateful.  I am hoping to be there around 10.30am depending on traffic.  I think she will be in the ring around 12.30pm to 1pm ish.

Her name is Kidmal Caol Ila if you look in the cat you will see where she is benched.... I will try and send you my mobile number direct to you e mail addy... if visible....lol

Thanks again and I look forward to meeting you tomorrow.

Lynn

Lynn,

How did you go on at Leeds? Any good? Would love to know if you managed to meet up & try the TTouch and if it worked. In case you hadn't guessed I also have a Weim but think that mine is just mentally-challenged :-) Mind you, with me bumbling about with him it's no surprise, he does have to work with a handicap!

Anyway, hope that things went a little better for you.

Helen.

Hi Apologies for the delay b ut I have been on Holiday.....

We got nothing at Leeds and no I didnt manage to meet up and try and TT,  she did behave a little better and did not back off the judge.  But we went to Bournemouth and she got first junior bitch....so I was pleased with that.

I am going to give her a little rest for a while and see how I get on with my puppy dog who makes his debut at Darlington, aged 6 months and 2 days.... so first outing a champ show

Kind regards
Lynn