We entered a companion dog show last weekend and there was a woman showing  an akita ...while standing her dog (she looked very professional) she was on her knees and making the oddest hand movements ...she put the treat in the dogs mouth then drew her hand away and flung it into the air repeatedly we and a few other people were a bit bemused by this action as it looked rather odd anyway she won of course (as I said looked very professional) anyway after chatting to my friend about this we wondered if anyone had an explanation for it is it something to do with the breed we've never seen the likes of it before.

Roni

I presume she was doing it to make the dog look alert and stand to attention?

heheheheh i would have loved to have been there! :D

thats what we thought but it was really wierd she put all her rosettes on her jacket too must have thought she was at crufts instead of a small companion show!!
saying that akitas are not my cup of tea but it was a beautiful dog

Hi
We have an Akita as well as Sibes and they are a baited breed, ie the handle uses food to present the dog to its best. The hand movement is to keep the dog looking alert, while hopefully it stands still.
Cheers
Terry

thanks for letting me know
never seen it before
sorry if I've insulted any akita owners but needed to know.

Didn't feel insulted in the least. glad to be of service
terry

I don't have Akitas but my breed also have erect ears and it can be a hard job getting the ears to stand up in the ring so food to watch is a must! Usually thrown up in the air in front of the nose! Not sure how movable Akita ears are but my breed will easily lay their ears back/down if they feel a bit timid or aren't fully alert etc.

Marianne

Are there any other subtle tricks you can do to a non food motivated dog?

Try something that makes a noise like a small squeaky toy, I use a small squeaky mouse with my boy he's not food orientated at all.

I was at the same show last weekend was it Delamere? and I go to the same ring craft with this girl and its just her way of getting the dogs attention after she has walked the dog up and down and then lets the judge see how he stands to attention.The dog in question is only just turned six months so she took him along as to get practice but I know she got a 2nd with him at her 1st show which was a Akita breed show and then a second (I think) at Blackpool last weekend .If it was the same show she won the puupy class then got a third in best in show.

Hope this helps? John

Got to say that i hate squeaky toys in the ring. it makes it so hard to show your own dog well when someone is squeaking away with one of those darn :) toys. I have a toy mouse which i have removed the squeak from and find this works really well.
Terry

yep your right same girl same show!!!
              small world

Yer it is a small world!! It was a really good show we where there with the westie pup,Did you enter?

yes we had the two beardies one adult one pup ....pup got vhc...we were at a companion show the week before and she got 1st and best pup in show.We are just practicing for the open and ch shows we have entered in the coming weeks!!

Yer I remember didn't you come up to us at the begining as we where one of the 1st there?,same here just went to get Alfie a bit of practice for our first open show in august(Bolton show) there's a companion show in Widnes next week are you going to that one?

John.

no didnt know about it
where is it taking place is it Sat or Sun?
any info would be appreciated.

we were there with friends who also had 2 beardies hers are slate ours are brown and fawn
dont remember talking to you it may have been my friend you spoke too.

Sorry for not getting back sooner (p.c playing up!!) the show is at Wade deacon high school Widnes not sure what time it starts I think the address is deacon road widnes and its on saturday there is a number if you needed more info 0151 424 3797.

thank you