We are off to our first ringcraft class this evening scary! My pup will be the youngest there at almost 12 weeks. I just wondered whether I should have a high value treat purely for classes? He's not really food orientated but maybe small pieces of lamb?? Any ideas...

Hi Sandra
We go to ringcraft on a Tuesday our puppy is almost 10months now. It was a little scary to begin with but our class made us so welcome we love going. We do treat but just small tip bits chicken or cooked lamb something they will do anything for . Just enjoy it make it fun for you and the pup. :)
Have a good night :)

Lamb, liver, roast chicken (just don't over-do things as it may upset his tummy).

The most important thing IMO about ring craft - particularly with such a young puppy - is that he isn't overwhelmed by his surroundings and isn't pushed beyond his personal comfort zone.

I usually find pups are best taken along only to observe and meet selected good natured other dogs and enjoy some gentle cuddles and treats from other handlers :)  If he's comfortable around everything call it quits early on rather than take a chance on a negative event occurring - leave on a high as it were ;)

Whatever you do, don't let anyone inexperienced or heavy handed try to "go over him".  This is a very new situation for him and even the boldest pups can be a little unsure so it's important that he isn't put under any pressure and doesn't have any bad experiences.

woops, lecture over! :rolleyes: :D

Thanks Lynn and Teri (lecture noted ;))

I am a bit worried about him as all the other pups are much older and bigger! I thought about only staying for an hour as really 2 1/2 hours I think is a little too much for him right now.

Hope we don't show each other up too much! Lol :)

Old stick in the mud here again :D 

I think 30 minutes or so is long enough initially Sandra :)  After all he's got travelling time on top of that so at 12 weeks IME that's quite a lot - being a new experience for him he'll tire more quickly anyway.

Try not to get wound up - you'll enjoy showing him off and everybody adores meeting new pups :)

let us know how it goes!  Teri

Hi Sandra
I think you are right 2 1/2 hours is a long time for a young dog.  I took Jasper (5 months) to his first ring craft class last week and we stayed for almost an hour (then I thought he was ready for home) he really enjoyed meeting all the other dogs - there were lots there.    The guy running the class said to let Jasper meet the other dogs and enjoy himself, and that's just what he did.  We are back tomorrow but I don't think we will stay for longer than an hour again, I'm of the opinion that if it isn't fun for him then it certainly won't be for me - and we won't continue!

Good luck and enjoy it!

well! That was a disaster! LOL.We stayed for about 45 mins, Louie wasn't moving for love nor money (or even juicy lamb!!) I think it was too echoey (sp) in the hall with all the dogs barking. The judge was lovely and gentle with him and thought that he stood lovely and he was quite happy for her to go over him. Everyone made a big fuss of him and he enjoyed meeting the other dogs. Hopefully it won't be so daunting the next time... :)

Aw bless him :)  It's a huge thing for a puppy to do - meeting all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures that he thinks might be dogs but not necessarily like any he's met before ;)  Then the venue, noise, strange smells, weird surfaces to walk on etc etc.

I'm sure it wasn't a disaster - it just sounds as though you perhaps expected an ickle bit too much from him ;)  Onwards and upwards!

Give him a hug from me, Teri :)

Thanks Teri x

yeah, I think you're right I wanted my lovely bouncy pup to enjoy it and it was all a bit too much for him! I'm really grateful to the judge for being so gentle with him... and me!! lol.

Hi Sandra, I see you are in hampshire, which ring craft do you go to ?

Hi Claire - Upham village hall nr Fairoak - I'm in Southampton. :)

run by Francis ? I used to go there (and I live in Basingstoke ) its a nice ringcraft, can get really busy though.

Yes, it's run by Francis, I think she's very gentle and it is a nice ringcraft. I went along last week (without pup) to watch and it did get quite busy but tonight we were there early so it wasn't too bad. That was a bit of a trek for you coming from Basingstoke!! It only takes me 15 mins :)

Ah, Fairoak bakery - it will do my waistline no end of good when my sister moves house and stops driving past there on the way to mine. :D

Love the pics, Sandra. I fully expect my bold as brass Mabel to be just as daunted when she goes this week.

M.

Hey, that doesn't sound like a disaster - he didn't panic, didn't bite any dogs or people, and let a total stranger feel him all over! As you say, it's very echoey in a hall with dogs barking a lot, and of course the rubber matting (if you have that?) is very different from anything else he's ever walked on probably. Keep up the good work and he'll soon relax. The first time I took my girl she sat under my chair for 10 minutes, then sat in front of me for 10 minutes, and then was happy to walk around and sniff at things - it all takes time. :-)

For a pup as young as 12 weeks, he's done very well indeed! I can't imagine the disaster that would have resulted if I'd taken the over-excited miniature crocodile that was my dog to any sort of ringcraft class at that age!

Truth time - it was me that was a disaster! I was a nervous wreck!! He was just very quiet taking it all in, while I was a shivering jelly! LOL M. I wish the bakery was open I needed a sugar rush! ;)

Mmmmm, apple doughnuts ...

M.

What a difference a week makes!! Ringcraft tonight was great! :D Louie didn't hug the floor and quite happily mixed with other dogs - he walked fine and even managed to get around the mats (although with nose to the floor!) I was ok too! ;) lol.

WELL DONE  -  it's not that scary after all  :D

Keep up the good work and, importantly, have fun - both of you ;)

Well done both of you - we'll be looking forward to your first show in a few more months! :-D

Finally got Mabel to her first ringcraft last night. She was a little star, bless her - they had a match on, so in for a penny we went in the puppy walk and she did the lot. Got 2nd and there were 6 or 7 dogs in there. Lulling me into a false sense of security, I expect, probably won't even walk next time LOL.

A friend came along with her two little sable pups, who are a couple of weeks younger than Mabel - they made her look so grown up!

How's Louie getting on?

M.

Way to go Mabel! I'm sure she'll go from strength to strength. Bless... :)

We had fun last night - Louie was still more interested in the mats with nose to the floor and then slept for 40 minutes midway through the evening! When we were leaving and saying our goodbyes he trotted beautifully along the mats!!! (Typical! :D)

my pup started ringcraft a couple weeks ago. She was only 11 weeks old. We're just doing a little but often and she really enjoys it now. I tend to use different rewards for class than I do at home training - as theres many more distractions in class and it seems to keep her concentration better. I also keep a toy just for training too - keeps her keen.