Has anyone got any tips for keeping a st bernards head up when in the ring? she's fine when i stack her but when i run her around she constantly
wants to sniff the ground. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Try keeping a tidbit concealed in your hand(if she's very food orientated!) gently waft it under her nose as you take off round the ring. You have to be careful as using bait MIGHT make them lift their head and start 'prancing' trying to see what u got that's tasty!! The other trick I've tried is to use a small sqeeky toy and give a little sqeek as you set off. But really nothing beats Ringcraft and training...where you can lavish praise for correct behaviour, even stopping to reward her, in a less tense atmosphere and she will soon(hopefully!) get the hang of things!! All the best, Dawn

ì'm starting ringcraft with her next week. I've tried food in my hand but you are dead right she starts prancing.
Thanks Dawn

watch what the top handlers in the breed do and practise that at home, just 5 minutes a day.

Hi I find a tidbit works with my boy, you need to have it at just the right level ,tho otherwise he will prance.I tend to use it just as we start off then he seems to settle.A good ringcraft will help as someone else has already said .What area are you in?We have a great ringcraft but its in Skelmersdale Merseyside.
Good luck with her.

Hi Tillys Mum, thanks for your reply. I'm in Ireland so ringcraft in merseyside isn't realy workable. We started ringcraft last night, she did very well.
It was indoors though, my main problem is outdoors on grass, that's when she realy acts up. I usually have the lead in my left hand and treat in my right, maybe i'll try it with the treat in my left hand at head hight.
My saint is  2 years old, does anyone think she's to old for ringcraft.I would have started earlier but she was rarely beaten in minorpuppy, puppy and junior class,
i thought we were doing ok.Since she went up to Graduate bitch she hasn't been doing so well.
All the best
Jimbob

hi tilys mum i go to a ringcraft in skem ,what breed do you have ? ive only been a couple of times ive got brock and dora the bullmastiffs i now have lily to ill be there next week dawnx

Thats not too old at all my girl was 2 before we started and she qualified for crufts, if she's not food motivated have you tried a squeaky toy in your pocket just for the attention value? my girl is not food motivated but a few squeaks and "who's that" gets her everytime. And just to reach into my pocket now gets her alert!

HTH Sarahx

Hi nuttyhouswife,I take Tilly ,a black cocker puppy to training,went on Wednesday,lots of new puppies out.I can only go once a fornight so my friend Maureen usually takes her for me when I am work,she may be there next week,if not we will be there the following Wednesday.I have seen a few Bullmastifs not sure which one s are yours?

have the lead going under her head so you can use this to tap under the chin to keep the head up.