Hi all, Nina's going really well now she knows whats expected of her in ring craft the only thing is she doesn't look like she's enjoying it.  How can i make it more fun for her?
Also i get nervous doing shows is this transmitting to her down the lead and this is what is causing her to look miserable like her mum?  he he

Warmest regards Susan

Hi Susan, glad to hear Nina is going well, its a good feeling isn't it when all the hard work ringcrafting pays off?! With regards to her looking miserable, could you be maybe over doing the training with her? I think I did this with  Idõ so I left it alone for a week or so then began again as if he was a really young pup, just asking for a stand for a couple of seconds then breaking off into a fun game or just praise with a high pitched voice(which he loves!).

With regards to your nerves, I have a friend who I go to shows with and she gets quite nervous so one day I mentioned I had a bottle of Rescue Remedy in the car. She tried it and said it did the trick, she was visibly less nervous and her dog relaxed better in the ring too.

Just remember that showing is meant to be fun, for people and dogs, so treat it as a big game and you'll both look and feel better :D

Hope this helps

Emily :)

Hi Emily Rose, thanks for the advice,  I haven't been for three weeks because Nina had her first season, she's now a little lady.  I'm thinking i should as you said start playing some games, she does do now what is expected of her but the little cheeky sparkle she has at home isn't there in ringcraft.  she just looks like she's worn the teeshirt and thrown it away.  I think the high pitched voice is definitely worth ago, i'm to self concious though but hey what the heck i'll give it ago.  Has everyone gone to Bournemouth it seems quite on the champdogs?  Thanks Emily, i'm glad you replyied.

Warm regards Susan

If she is a young dog sometimes they do not enjoy showing as much as they should.  It is a strange enviorment and I wouldnt imagaine many youngsters see that amount of dogs in one go.  I personally hate showing myself which is why my other half goes in.  I feel he needs my expert opinion on his handling.  ;) Got to say though that he does better when I am not there and we have had many a discussion on the way home about his handling.  I actually tried with Molly last night and she was a nightmare so I am back to being a ringside critic. :)

Hi Susan,

I agree with Emily - perhaps your pup just doesn't need ring craft anymore.  To be honest, there are many handlers that never take dogs to ringcraft except in the first couple of weeks to socialise them ;)  I've personal experience of boring my first show dog rigid by overdoing ringcraft and having open shows every other weekend - by the time we'd paid the big bucks to enter and travel the length of the country to a champ show she wasn't interested in anything!  I'd never make the same mistake again.

If you want to build your own confidence in the ring and learn handling techniques it's better to practice at companion shows and also when you go along to a champ show watch carefully how the experienced handlers in your breed present their dogs etc.

Regards, Teri :) 

To be honest with you Teri, i think your quite right, when she gets they're she goes to sleep and doesn't wake up until it's time to get up and move, i only get up once and then sit back down.  I haven't done many open shows i have done one champ show and she's entered into three more champ shows and one open show.  I like going to ringcraft though it's nice and layed back and sociable, i'll have to just take my mums dog now and leave Nina at home.  Thanks for the advice.

Warm regards Susan

I only take my 3 year old once or twice a year when he's done particularly well at a show and I want to show him off ( :-) ), and I only take my puppy once every 2 or 3 weeks to keep trying to get her to stand still on the table!!