I am looking for advice and tips on how to keep pup still in the line up
I have finally managed to get Libs to stay still when the judge goes over her but if its a big line up she will get fed up and wriggle and finally move in the line up.
Anyone have any ideas? At the moment I am having to treat and then reset her otherwise she wont restand :( But I dont want her to see this as a form of reward :(

If she's a pup, lel, then good judges will forgive!

I hope so :)
I suppose Im worried that it will grow into a habit though- shes 9 months now and although we can get her to stay still when handled its the line up that worries me, often when a judge looks back to her in the final line up Im busy trying to reset her :(

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I have a similar problem with Tia, as she is a 'sitter'. I hold a clicker in my hand up at my lips and this holds her shortspan attention. As she is not clicker trained she does not associate this with food but the noise intrigues her. When it is held tightly in my hand the 'click' is muffled and does not distract the other dogs in the lineup, (if it did I would not use it).  Clicking tounge and making those buzzy noises with my lips also gets her attention. But it horrible after a while. With Summer, I just let her be a puppy, as I dont want her to get upset at being in the ring. Good judges are very forgiving in puppy classes

I think everyone finds their own way. It's acceptable to bait in my breed. You'll see the handlers constantly putting hands in pockets, or to their mouths to keep the dogs attention. One man I've seen has a brilliant technique. He does a small whistle, and twirls the leash, doing alot of hand movement so the dog is constantly watching and doesn't ever expect a treat to appear immediately but knows it will eventually. Don't fret too much about having to reposition her, the moment to worry about is when the judge takes his final look up and down the line, thats when you step up your game. When you're training at home practice putting a treat in front of her & making her leave it/wait until you say it's okay for her to get it, so she knows you control the food not her.
Alot of people rustle plastic/wrappers in their pocket, my dogs associate the noise of the velcro on my baitbag with food so I just have to make a noise with that and raise my hand to my chin.

What breed is she? Do you have to stack her or could you walk her into stand? I walk toward my dog or backwards to get him into a stand, sometimes a circle is required.

Hi Spook she is a staffy :)
I can set her for the line up initially but if its a big class she will move and wriggle backwards away from me :(

They just like to tear our nerves to shreds don't they! :)

Are you having the problem at ringcraft AND shows? I'm no staffy expert (or any other expert :D) so I'm not sure what the norm is for their handlers. I do understand that you don't want to form bad habits all too well though.

I have a friend with 3 staffies. I know one of them does a 'dance' everytime a treat is on the horizon. He does a little tap dance on all four paws, it's very funny to watch and if I were a judge I couldn't resist placing him.

Hi Spook
I can place her in the initial line up then she can "rest" until the judge goes over her but in the final line up if there is a big class thats when I have the problem ( well even if theres more than 5 actually) :D
I know patience is important but would like to nip it in the bud if i can

Well what most do is try and get to the front of the line up, barging into the ring as soon as you can and aiming for position number one. Therefore your dog is fresh and she gets a bit of rest/time to fidget. Then she's first in the final line up and you can get her attention for the judge without having to wait. He only needs one look at her, as long as he's seen what he needs to see it shouldn't matter that she's moved.

Will develop some pointy elbows then :) thankyou :)

Honestly stand by the malamute ring at a show it's really funny watching folk running to that top spot. Don't know if it's restricted to our breed :D

I cant say I've ever noticed this - I'll have to take a look next time i'm at a show :p

I was always taught the phrase " First to set the standard, last to be remembered."

And you'll be hated forever by the rest of the class ........ ;)

l0l :D

it will all come with the passage of time Lel

just remember that you only have to really have her standing when the judge is looking in your direction
although it dont hurt to have her standing properly at all times

just keep an eye on what the judge is doing as well as watching what your dog is doing so that you can see when the judge is going to look over at you and make adjustment as needed
speed in stacking her helps
remember that she doesnt have to be 100% perfect all the time
try not to fidget too much with her
just standing still is all it takes sometimes if the judge isnt right on top of you

perhaps its the fidgeting about trying to get her perfect that makes her move  ?
its no good trying to get a puppy to stand perfectly
it just aint gonna happen :D

Z

Thanks Tony :)

That reminds me of when I was showing my Dalmatian.  I was very new to it and found myself being pushed through the entrance to the ring where the start of the line up was.  The last place I wanted to be was at the start, a very well known exhibitor pushed me out of the way and said I am always first.

I could not believe someone could be so rude, sure enough every show after that she was always first in the line.

I think the fairest way to do it is by ring number order, this happens quite a lot now.

Sandra

Thats it exactly Sandrah! I usually end up 4th or 5th in the line, but you see the hardcore showers hovering at the ringside enterance all ready to steam in and battle for the top spot :D Eyeing eachother up because they 'know' exactly who else is going to make a run for that spot! :D

I like to be somewhere in the middle - I avoid each end like the plague!

I like to be in the middle, I hate to be first because I like to see what the judge is making each exhibitor do so I can be prepared ;)

I dont like being first or last in the line up either :( About third is best for me :)

In the middle would suit me and I can see what others are doing, but if a big class the closer to the start than the finish. 

:D I've got the same problem with my Tam.  He'll bait nicely at the end of gaiting, but if he gets moved out from that first bait position you can hardly get him presentable :rolleyes:  Course, with all the other dogs around me he won't pay attention anyway soooooo....... lol.

ok, anyway, the tip.  I always had to stock my Gordon who would often get nervous in the ring.  Sometimes what helps is (I don't know if its allowed in the UK though) if you get the dog moving and just turn her around if you can.   Of course if the dogs are spaced close together then its not possible.

Its allowed KateL, I often have to do that with Tia to get her out of a sit.

Just to say that Libby stood beautifully- the best she ever has :)
and Im so proud of her :D

Yay!
:)