Hi All,

I have a problem with my Curly Coated Retriever " Pepper ".... Basically when showing....on the move she has lost all enthusiasm when I run her she either lags behind with her head down....or gallops out of control.

This is especially when showing outdoors out the Champ shows.

This year I had a dream come true....she won Best of Breed at Crufts...her first CC.

Since this she seems to have lost her form.... and I so want to get it back.

She seems bored with whole thing....she even turns before I do....which is a sure sign....I have tried giving her a break from it all....tried getting her excited beforehand to know avail....tried using squeakies at training to get her excited....but she just looks totally fed up....

I'm not sure what else to do....so I would be grateful of any advice...

Please Help

Regards

Vicki

Isn't it always the way, I'd take her out of the ring and stop training for the ring for at least 6 months. If she (and you) are suitable try something like agility or flyball and get some fun back into the relationship between you and her. I don't know, of course, but may be things got a bit too intence after her winning BOB at Crufts and perhaps a total break would help both of you. How about a new puppy. Hope you sort it out for next season, it is no good showing a dog that does not want to be there, so give it a rest and see how things go. Ja:)kie

Thanks Jackie. I have given her a three month break....then took her to Birmingham City Champ show....where on the move she was terrible.

Standing she is a dream....she doesn't move a muscle and lets any judges go over her without any trouble...( she would stand there all day and let them go over her..!!!! )

Indoors ( Crufts, Manchester etc ) she has done extremely well... after Crufts she went on and won a RCC at Stafford ( indoors again ).

I was wondering whether it was something to do with being outdoors....

She is walked everyday in the same woods.....running free for 1hr 30mins....doing the same circuit.... I wondered whether this may have something to do with it...the fact she is on the lead when in a field at a Champ Show...????

I'm just so frustrated....which may not be helping...?!?!?!

Last week I took her back to Ringcraft.....we tried running in different directions....which got her a little bit more excited....

She is 4 at the end of this month.....she has just reached her full maturity and looks fantastic....

Some people have mentioned starving her the day before a show... then have good smelling treat in my hand...???

What do people think to this....??? Is it cruel to starve them for a day before...???

Thanks

Vicki

Try an indoor open show or Midland Counties to see if it makes much difference. Also try handling with the lead in your right hand (do the triangle in reverse) you may suprise your bitch into life, you will certainly suprise the judge but don't worry over that. May be it is time you took a litter from your lovely bitch they often go back into the ring with a new lease of life. I'm not suggesting the you take a litter for this reason only.
Don't think the fact that you walk her on grass would make any difference, a dog knows the difference between having fun on a walk and having fun in the show ring.
No it's not cruel to stave your dog but I would rather get to the bottom of the problem and sorry to say I think she has had enough of the show ring at the moment. It is nearly the end of the show season why not give her a rest till Crufts. Jackie

Thanks again Jackie.... I was going to enter Midland Counties anyway....so will give it a go. I will definitely try and handle her on the right....give that a go at Ringcraft on Wednesday...!!!! See what happens.

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Regards Vicki

Just do it once to get the hang of it, other wise it won't come as a suprise. All the best. Jackie

Vicky I feed mine very early in the morning 6.oc, the day before a show
they have all day to digest it . I do not feed before travelling .
it is much more comfortable for the dog to travel .
A full tummy can be very upsetting for a dog travelling .
It is true the dog will be happy to get a treat when hungry.
I then give the rest of the treats to them after showing this keeps them going till we get home. feed him when you get home thats not starving them just working around feeding times Mari.

Thanks Mari.... That exactly what I was thinking....I take plenty of treats with me....so she certainly won't starve on the way home...!!!!!

Fingers crossed....we'll sort the problem out....I'm not going to give up now I've got this far....

Pepper is my first Curly and first show dog.....and I've achieved so much thanks to people like yourselves helping me along the way.

I'm am going to Breed from her next year....she only comes in once a year....( which is good for me..!!!! ). So I may keep a pup from this litter all being well.

Thanks again for your comments

Vicki

With luck both Midland counties and LKA are indoors (though don't know if bothhave Curly CCs), you could always win both, and problem over. Not feeding sounds the simplest way to gom so she is keen to earn her treats!

Thanks.... Yes I'm in Luck....No Midland Counties doesn't have CC's on offer....but I like the show....won a RBB there year before last...!!! So may bring us some good luck ready for LKA....

I have entered Driffield and Gundogs of Scotland...Hmmm maybe wasn't a good idea....but if I try out the things everyone has suggested...then we may get over this hurdle....!!!! Hope so anyway.

Many Thanks Vicki

I'm not an experienced handler, only been doing it for just over a year but one thing springs to mind is if she is bored with it all then taking her to ringcraft might bore her even more ?! At 4 years old and having won so well it doesn't sound like she needs ringcraft training anyway. I could be wrong but it's just a thought :-) You could just try your ring practising in loads of different places like when you are out walking etc.

As for Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland, I can vouch that this venue will be noisy as it's indoors and the whole place echoes so maybe the hustle and bustle and extra noise will perk her up ?? I'll be there with my weimaraner, would be nice to meet you :-) Good Luck.

Thanks Claire....I didn't realise that Scotalnd was indoors...just assummed it would be outdoors....not been to a Champ Show up in Scotland before....so this may help aswell as she won't be familiar with the venue....and she certainly does perform better indoors....!!!!!

I would love to meet you and your Weim also....another favourite breed of mine....

If you fancy a walk over to the Curly camp...then you'll be able to spot me and Peps....she is a liver Bitch....I'm tallish with long blonde hair....Pepper's Kennel name is Berryholme Palomino. So you can look us up in the Catologue.

Would be lovely to meet people from this board....!!!!

Anyway back to work...

Take Care and Good Luck for any future Shows....

May see you in Scotland....

Vicki & Pepper

Vicki I'll try to remember to look out for you but lets try and remember to mention it again on here a little nearer the time so that we don't forget ;-)

Yep will do...I'll post one nearer the time.. would be great to meet some of you off here.....been coming on here for over a year now. Don't post very often but I do read all the posts.... keep up with what's going on....

Take Care

Vicki & Peps xx