I did my first ever obedience competition with Fagan (6 month old Irish Setter) at the weeked.  It was the "newcomers" section at a companion show.  He got a C (does this mean clear ?) in everything but his heelwork in which he picked up 13 marks (is this the correct terminology ?)  The stays were a bit stressful because he spent the whole time eagerly watching some horses in the next field but bless him he didnt move :)

My biggest problem is his heelwork, at training I have to walk with a treat rammed under his nose and even then he gets bored and starts sniffing the floor and diving for imaginary bits of food in the far corner of the hall :rolleyes:  of course in competition you cant use food so I kept my hand as if I had food (and I know it smelt of food ;) ) but he kept licking it (would he lose points for this) I spoke to him in a really high voice using his name and saying close but he soon got bored and the nose went to the ground and off he went sniffing away

does anyone have any ideas on how I can keep his attention for heelwork?  It is a breed trait to sniff - it is of course what they do out in the fields, follow their noses to find the grouse - and Fagan is very good at this when out (apart from he finds more pheasants, rabbits and deer than what he does grouse :D :D )

Any ideas greatly appreciated :)

yes C is clear!!! well done

try in training to always use a word before treating,i use "get it",you can use that to keep the attention in the ring as he should accosiate it.

try to keep your tone exciting, lots of  "readyyyyyyyy" "wow", & go mad when the heelwork has finished!