hi,
i am new to showing and would like some tips on how to get a 7 month old pup to trot nicely around the ring. he will walk to heel but if i try to move him faster he charges ahead! he is a siberian husky and dont want to discourage him from pulling as he will also be worked in harness, any suggestions? i have been unable to find a good ringcraft class in my area so am a bit stuck for advice!
many thanks,
kelly + boys

When you are doing your road work with him try running as fast as you can for 20 paces and then walk for 40 paces the run for 20 etc. this way he may catch onto matching your pace - or he may not - but it is worth a try and it will do your heart no end of good. Jackie H.

hi jackie,
thanks for the message but not sure if this one will work as i am also training him in harness and regularily go running with him and encourage him to pull in front of me so he gets used to pulling a weight! he can also run a lot faster than me and at only 7 months he is very strong and has actually pulled mo over! i think this is probably why i have trouble getting him to trot at a nice speed as he must think me running means he has to run as fast as he can!

hi pammy,
ill try this one but again i think i may have already taught him that when i move quicker that walking speed that he has to run flat out!

i live in lancashire, i did find a ring craft class but it was packed full of serious show people and they did not really give me any help at all, it was more like a real show! i am not planning to show much at all but i thought it may be fun to enter a local show and i am sure it will be good for indi to get used to strange places and people handling him.
has anyone any suggestions for collars and leads? i have just been using his normal racing slip collar, what do you generally use?
thanks,
kelly.

Where abouts in Lancashire are you?

I have shown for years and still go to ringcraft and we are a helpful, if somewhat mad lot.

hi,
i live in preston, but would be prepared to drive within reason for a good ringcraft class. i dont intend to show seriously with this pup, but think it would be good practice for me, (for when i get my next puppy!) and good fun for the pup too! where is the class that you go to?
thanks,
kelly

Kelly
There is a training in Preston if you ring Mrs Roskell on 01772 746166.
She is the secretary of Preston & dist.
if you give her a ring she will be able to help

hi,
thanks for the number i will give her a ring later today.
kelly + boys

Kelly

I have a frined who lives in Preston and she goes to a weekly Ringcraft class. I f you like I can pass on your e-mail and I'll get her to send you the details.

Pam n the boys -

PS glad the up seems to be learning;)

hi pam,
yes please pass on my e mail address to your friend! that would be great! i have been looking for ages for ringcraft classes and had almost given up! many thanks,
kelly + boys

will do

Pam

thanks pam!
kelly

Kelly

Your e-mail addy is hidden so I can't do the deed. If you want to mail me privately and I'll pass it on. Click on the "Pammy" at the top of this message and that will give you my details.

Pam n co

hi,
have e mailed you privately, dont know how my e mail address is hidden cos according to my computer it isn't!
hope you get the e mail ok, thanks,
kelly.

Hi pam
I live near Preston my local ringcraft class is only held once a month.
I feel that i could use a little more help, he is doing nicely. could you send me the phone number thank you

Good luck Kelly in your forcoming show, my first show is in 3 weeks. Lets us know how you get on
Lol

Hi Lol

I've passed your details onto my friend in Preston who will be on touch.

Pam n the lads

thank you very much pam
lol

hiya....i go to preston ringcraft its a small world on this computer do you go to ashton first wednesday of the month???? i go with storm the mal....
it does seem a bit scary but its got to be done.....i wish there was more classes once a month its not enough
if i can help please feel free to email me. love stephx
steph-mick@supanet.com

hi,
i have been to one class at ashton with my sibe puppy, indi. the time i went there were 2 people with mals, i cant remember if you were the people i spoke to! any way will probably see you there next time,
kelly

Kelly

Each time he runs, stop turn back and bring him back under control and then go again - keep on doing it and only continue going ahead when he's going at the pace you want. When he is give him gentle encouragement - say "steady" in a steady tone - not excited as that will boost him off again. It's just like getting him to walk to heel - he needs to know what you want and so get him doing it with a command for that pace and he'll pick it up - in theory anyway :D

Whereabouts are you - other members may know of ringcraft on your area

hth

Pam n co

Kelly, I'm no expert have to ask for help myself, just when you think you have the hang of it the next dog is totaly different. If he was mine I'd try a large titbit in my left hand along with the lead about 18" from the dog, walk steady and the dog may well follow the hand, if he does, praise, brake a piece off for him and repeat the exercise. Jackie H

hi,
thanks for the tip! i tried this today combined with pams tip and it seemed to work! he is a walking dustbin, compltely food orientated. i think the food and the check chain i used (something i dont normally use and dont like much, but it was suggested by some one who had a similar problem with their sibe puppy)did help me gain better control over him although he had just been for a long walk so perhaps he was just too tired and hungry to pull so much! anyway will keep trying as he has his first show in 2 weeks. thanks again,
kelly

Glad you are having a bit of success, try practicing for about ten mins. at a time about 4 times a day. When you think he understands you want him to follow your hand try putting the titbit in your pocket but reward as before, don't forget to tell him you are pleased and he is doing the right thing, you will be able to do that when you are in the ring. Oh and don't worry to much about your first show, most puppies behave like puppies and most judges would prefer it that way. Exciting aint it, never changes however long you have been doing it, to put your new puppy into the ring for the first time is very special, may be because you never know what will happen. :) All the best. Jackie H

hi everyone,
tried again this morning and he defintaly seems to be getting the hang of it! i am looking forward to his show although i dont expect much as i know his bite is not perfect but i am only doing it for fun, for both of us, and wether he wins anything or not he will still be perfect to me! i hope the judge does like lively puppies cos indi just wants to play with anyone who comes near him.
kelly

Don't worry too much about his teeth he will probable wriggle so much no one will be able to see them :) Jackie H

hi,
oh yes, he has perfected that one to a tee! i think he got so fed up of me constantly checking his bite and teeth to make sure none were digging in anywhere they shouldn't be that he hates having his bite checked now! he is defintaley a wriggler!
kelly

Hi

I always use voice commands...I have a very forward going cocker puppy, who is very strong believe it or not, and I solely use my voice...I always find the command "steady" very good...have you tried doing a basic obedience class, I found that helped me alot..

Natasha

hi everyone,
thanks for all the advice, we have now mastered that art of moving nicley, but have discovered a new little "habit". he now thinks that the judge going over him is a new game and jumps all over them and skips about "wooing" at them and doing little play bows! all normal behaviour for a sibe puppy but the people who have nice normal well behaved dogs were not impressed.
we did ok at his first show though, he managed to get a 2nd, but there were only 2 in class! oh well, never mind though its a start. we have entered another show but dont know how many more we will go to as it was not as much fun as i thought. previously i have been to breed specific shows where i get to meet up with people i know and have a chat and a laugh, but this was an open show and did not have a breed class for him. we ended up waiting around for about 4 hours with me and the pup getting very bored for about 2 mins in the ring!
kelly + boys

I would recomend entering several classes at Open shows. they usually have a set of not seperately classified for your group, then a set of Any Variety in group, and also Puppy stakes etc. If you enter several classes gives you more practice, and if they are under different judges, then several opinions on your dog. Open shows can be great fun way of making friends in other breeds. If like me you have a breed that doesn't often have its own classes you will soon find some of the same people in your classes, and you get talking. You can learn a lot about your own breed by contrasting it with others! Also if you like dogs in general, but love your own breed specifically,,then you will enjoy seeing how the other dogs are shown,MEETING THE DIFERENT PEOPLE AND DOGS! Like anything else it does take time to get to know folk!

You will soon get to know the regulars at your local shows, and also meet some interesting people from further away. A few weeks ago I was sat next to a couple from Austraila on one side and a couple from the next village to me on the other. The Austrailan lady was very experianced in Aus. but not over here so was keen to find out how we run things. Keep going at least for a season you will soon get the hang of what time to turn up and an interest in the judging of other breeds. Jackie H