Hi all, just a quick question as forgot to ask at my ringcraft class last night. If Mabel (5mths old at present) has an itch half way through trotting round the ring do I stop and let her scratch or just keep her moving? She did this last night at class and I was continuing with her but she was sort of trotting and scratching at the same time which doesn't look good in front of the judge! Not sure if her collar gives her a tickly spot when moving as she's not a scratchy dog normally.

Lorri

I'd stop, stop her scratching, and go back and start again. To continue moving is to waste your opportunity with the judge.

To be honest you need to think about the fact that the judge needs to assess the dog in limited time. 

So if you think you will save time by stopping and then resuming like with when a dog is moving incorrectly, (playing up or pacing etc) it is better to start again, rather than try to do the whole movement pattern only for the judge to have to waste time asking you to do it again as they can't asses the movement.

a lot of pups will scratch at the collar simply as it is restricting them or making pressure to make them go where you want, and they either don't like it or are not that used to it, and try to stop the sensation or you getting them to do something by scratching.

I had a problem with Lexi with her shaking her head if there was any pressure on the lead, and my present pup will try to scratch.

the answer is really to have a loose lead and the dogs attention.

I would sort out whats making are scratch (lead position, habit, turns etc) and try and sort the problem.  In the event of her scratching in the movement I would head staight back to the judge and ask to do it again unless it is close to the end of the movement, then I will stop then dog, let it scratch and then carry on the last little bit.

Just remember when it's your turn in front of the judge you want to show your dog off to it's best.  Its the only chance you will have to make an impression as it's the only time the judge will be looking at just your dog.  So make the most of it and ask to start again if necessary! :)

Lorri i would not worry to much, at the last show i was at my young lady managed to go round the ring once sniffing the ground, then when it was her turn to "strut her stuff" for the judge she decided to scratch and then she shaked when he went took his final look:rolleyes: the joys of dog owning and showing

There's nothing wrong with a dog doing these things, but you are trying to maximise the chance of the judge being able assess your dog and show of it's good points to advantage.

Hi Lorri,

I wasn't there last night.....told you I wouldn't come if it was raining :D

Do you use a show lead with Mabel or just the every day lead and collar I'm not very observent and haven't noticed

I use a soft show collar but probably tend to have it tighter than her everyday walking collar. Maybe she finds it too restrictive as i'm trying to have more control of what her head is doing.

Lorri

What breed is she and what sort of lead/colar are you using in the ring?

she is a scottish terrier and the lead is a soft nylon braided type only about 1cmm in width. Recommended by a scottie show person.

Is it a slip collar? half check, full check?  Sorry not sure what Scotties are shown on so although what you have now will be suitable for the breed it might be worth finding another lead/collar type and see if that will help her if she is scratching at the collar :)  Also I'm guessing is a round braided? Maybe she would prefer a flat type.

IF the lead is the cause then it could make a huge difference.  I show each of my dogs on different leads ranging from very fine full lengh chains to quite abit heaveir one, down to a very fine braided leather lead just afew MM wide across to CM wide flat leather and also cloth of varying size or lengh.  Each of my dogs show best on a different lead so if you can I would advise to see if you can speak to other people in the breed, look at the leads they use and possibly ask to borrow one for a little prractise at a show fir afew minuets to see if it makes a difference at all. :)