Well I am chasing one of my mastiffs last CC,and whilst he will stand like a rock whilst judge goes over him,he does tend to, as they approach,not actually back off,but lean into his back legs,so as he looks as if hes backing away,but his legs stay where they are put,am sure this is what is putting some judges off,we have tried baiting him,but he just goes into a coma,and stands almost cross eyed and drooling,then if you actually offer him the bait he refuses it,obviously my cooking is not good enough for him,sob,hahaha we have even tried taking flannel into the ring,with scent of in season bitch on,yes I know,desperate,
so guys any ideas,tips,solutions,anything,we go to ringcraft regularly,and he loves it there,stands like a rock no movement at all,HEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPP
Wendy

What bait do you use?

I always take a variety so that mine don't know what exciting goodies are going to be in the bait bag ;) We take:

Liver cake
Cheese cubes
Tesco Value sausage (cooked)
Bits of dog biscuits
Ham

Anything else I can find that I can cut up and put in

:D

Thanks for quick reply,
oh you name it,a friend who shows Mastiffs in America said she uses hot dog sausages,but she puts them down her bra,so he has to keep watching where her hands go,ha haha,oh he was'nt interested,but one other was and found myself face down in benching area,getting well and truly glooped eeyuw,but have tried everything food wise to try and stop him,from leaning into himself,we have rested him from show ring,in the hope he might perk up a bit,hes a sly thing,and has learnt all my tricks,grrrrrrrr
Wendy

Tickle him in a certain area, works for my boy :d  The dog that is, honest!!

HAHAHAHA do you think it would work if I tickled the judge,ooer,
he likes being tickled,but,it does not work when judge is approaching him,he's absolutely fine once judge has hands on him,its the initial approach,
Wendy

do you think it could be your sunconscious nerves passing to the dog - try deep breaths just before, or a drink, keep one hand pressed into his top bittock (dog not judge)

oh have tried,hand on buttock,(dogs not Judges)now if I can sort of get in front of dog,before judge approaches hes fine and does not do this at all,but then judge cannot see dog,I have a big bum,hahaha,I do not think its my nerves going down the lead with him,I have tried him with different handlers and he does the same thing then,
Wendy

Sometimes the best thing to do with dogs that back off is stand well away from and in front of them so they have nothing to back into.  Just a thought... does he do this with one particular handler? or when different people handling him?  Sometimes a change in handler can work wonders with a dog who's developed habits like this.
Hope you get that CC soon :D
Debs

he will move his legs and come towards you if you are not too close to him,and you sort of have to be close to Mastiffs,as they tend to hang their heads,so most will have hand under chin,to just try and keep head up,if you use choker, under chin,they spend the whole time doing over amateur dramatics,and choking ,gagging for all they are worth,then you get the "oh hes obviously got Kennel Cough looks",I have tried hanging onto his jowels and standing in front of him,to stop him from moving,but then his eyes go wild,and he looks like hes panicking,even though his legs are'nt moving,for such a big guarding breed,thay can be total pansies at times,sigh,but thanks for all that are advising,its giving me food for thought as such,I WANT HIS LAST TICKET,funny thing is he loves going to shows,as soon as the bags out and being filled up,hes going bonkers,he does not mind every part of it,except the initial approach by the judge
Wendy