Hello

After going to the Southerns Counties Staff Show on Saturday I've been inspired and really would like to show my pup.

She is 9mths old and is a black brindle with white chest, I have been told she is of show quality so I've enrolled her in Obedience classes as well as a ringcraft class we are starting on thursday.

All the dogs in the show looked absolutely beautiful and I would be grateful if anyone could give me some tips in regards to grooming and general things I should look for.

She is quite unrully at the moment and when in contact with other dogs either becaomes submissive ie rolls on her back or wants to play. How can I get her to concerntrate on me rather than the other dogs???

thanks x

Hi

Well, ringcraft is a good start.  Sometimes its best not to over do it with too much training at once and obedience classes tend to start with the SIT command (which I bet your pup can already do).  If you want to show STAND will be the basic command, so it may be a bit confusing for her all at once.  She sounds as if she has a great temprament. Which ringcraft are you going to?  

One thing to just add is that when going to obedience you may find your pup will want to sit in the ring in front of the judge instead of standing- just something to be aware of :)
Whereabouts are you and which ringcraft will you be going to?

If you go to the obedience class just tell the trainer you want to show & will be standing your pup instead of sitting quite simple really thats how I train my cavaliers

Ditto Moonmaiden.  I do this with setters.  i do let them sit now and again but most is stands!

Hello

Im going to Ringcraft in Wilmington in Kent! Im very excited!! So's Rosie

We have obedience classes tonight so I will make sure that I tell the trainer that I want her to stand rather than sit.
Your absolutely right she seems to be alittle overwhelmed with all the commands. If I ask her to stand she'll sit then lie down and then if that doesnt work she'll do a spin! Bless her! At least she's trying!!!

Thanks for your advice!

hi Blondiflops,
I have a 7 month old staffie, who i take to obedience and ringcraft.  My advice to you is just be vey patient, my staff has been going to ringcraft for 3 months and he is still hard work.  He thinks the judge is just coming over to stroke him so he starts to wriggle and trys to kiss them. (not good).  But slowly its starting to come good.  Its in a staffies nature to love everyone and play with everyone, so standing still is hard work.  Just don't give up if its hard work.

Good luck and have fun

jens staff

Hi,
The way that I found worked for me was that when my staff was a pup I used to try and train him almost everyday but for short very periods of time but frequently done. Getting him to stand for a few seconds before giving him his food and showing him his favourite toy whilst getting him to stay still before a playtime. Ringcraft is the best place to be for training as I found, my pup would eventually perform great in the house but when he got to ringcraft or a show where other dogs were present his interest was on everything around him and would rarelly listen. Plenty of ringcraft will get them used to the showing environment.
I remember when I first started I used to leave the ring with sweat pouring from my head, my dog dragging me around and me saying to myself "never again" but I still stuck with it, through thick and thin and 2 years later with the same dog we won our class in Crufts 2005 and looking back everything was worth it.
It proved to me it can be done and "Patience is everything"
I wish you all the best and shall see you in crufts some time......

Lee.

Wow congratulations! You must be very proud! It can be pretty soul destroying, in the last show I went to, my puppy really misbehaved, I was so embarrassed and the more stressed I got the less she behaved! But I will persevere, as I know it will take time and patience-I have confidence in my girl, its me that needs the training!

My staffie puppy was a horror in the ring when she was a puppy :-(
She would not stand, she jumped up & licked the judge ect ect

It did not stop her getting 3rd in puppy & qualifing for crufts!
So dont worry too much & keep up with the training she will learn soon

Jo
xx

Any tips on getting her to let me 'make adjustments'? She will stand still and pose for a while but when I try and move her feet into the correct position she starts dancing around! Then, if I am lucky enough to get her in position for more than 30seconds, she dances around when the judge approaches her and I have to start again. It makes me look (and feel) totally incompetent :D . Last ringcraft she stood nicely and I was really proud of her, but the walkie bit was a disaster, as she walked, then stopped and would not budge. In the end I had to carry her off :rolleyes: Even so, she loves going and really is confident in every other way-so I want to do her justice and give her a chance.