We were at Stafford today and in junior bitch, I knew we wouldn't get a high placing because of the quality of 4 other bitches in the class but what i wasn't expecting is my little girl to growl at the judge!
She did do this when we started showing last year but she was a baby and has grown out of it over time and in fact the last few shows we've been to I haven't even had it at the back of mind that she might.

I was very embarassed and she definitley didnt like him, she gave a continous deep low growl the whole time he went over her. I had her firmly held as didnt want her to follow through with more of teeth than he bargained for!

I dont understand why she did it, the only thing i can think of is that most of the judges we have had recently have been female with the exception of a male at our breed open show, which she was fine with. The judge today didnt appear 'heavy handed' but was quite a big imposing man and did seem to go straight for head and teeth exam without offering a hand to sniff first.

This has now put me back on edge for future shows we have lined up throughout the summer.

At our next show is it allowed for me to say to the judge that she is a 'bit sensitive' or should i not say anything and just keep my wits about me with her?

If she does do it again should i apologise to the judge and should i correct my dog on the table with words such as 'no' for example.

she is nearly 16mths old and on the whole is a dog that doesn't like masses of attention and dances round new people rather than being in their faces - will sort of shy away from being petted with people in the street or visitors to the home (actually at home she barks non stop at visitors and tries to pin them to the spot by grabbing their feet/shoes) definitely not a cuddly dog.

poor you, must be very upsetting, its not a problem I have ever had so difficult to give any advice Did the judge say anything??? Perhaps it is men she has taken a dislike to at the minute, perhaps a good idea to get as many men as you can to go over her and see the reaction, you will have to stand her as if in show pose so that you are simulating a show situation, perhaps you can find ringcraft near by that has sympathetic males that would go over her, good luck

Could she be coming into season by any chance?  Hormones do weird things to bitches.

Debs

Would not say anything to the judge and you must try not to tense or she will pick up on it. Think I would be doing the rounds of any ringcraft class I could manage to get to and be asking every one to go over her till she was bored out of her mind and gave up the objecting or made it clear that she is just not going to show.

Agree about the season as well

It must have been upseting for you.These things do happen and it is a natural reaction to think 'what have I done wrong'.My bitch was really wappy before her season.She has just finnished her third season and though entered I didn't even bother taking her to Stafford.I took my male puppy and he was fine,he isn't to sure about what his bits are  for.But my older dog and bitches kennel mate barked the whole time he was in the ring a total nightmare.Obviously missing his girl.So maybe your girl will come into season soon.Have you got any friends that can practice the going over bit?Good luck.

Thanks for the replies.

She had a season at the end of March so suppose we could be heading for a phantom. I'm reluctant to think it is because of her season because she was like it at the very first shows we went to.

Ringcraft i did attend when she was 3 months but wasn't happy with some of the other 'goers' and how they treated their dogs and no one said anything, so i tend to enter a lot of shows and use them as my ringcraft.

The vet came to the house a couple of weeks back to do vaccinations and she never bothered about him going over her. She hadn't met him before but she was in her own home so she may have felt more comfortable. I have got friends that would 'feel' her all over but they are female! if i had male ones i might want them to 'feel' me  all over first so she gets the idea it might be quite nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wont say anything at next show and just try to be relaxed and keep paws crossed - it does put you on edge though.

she is a funny little dog, so aloof  what with this and the non eating (hardly any food today except few markie biscuits and a couple of tripe sticks - thought she'd be starving tonight but oh no - ate less than a 1/4 of her meal) she is a challenge sometimes.

You didn't say what area you live,Someone may know of a 'good class'. All too often I have people with this problem, there are a few things you could try.1) practise showing the teeth yourself just before the judge reaches your dog (if they say they want to do it, jst ask sweetly if they would let you as the previous judge upset your dog).2) make sure that NO ONE who goes over your dog looks directly at the dog and 'eyeballs' it, to a dog this can be taken as a threat. 3) try asking the person going over your dog to leave the mouth until last, I find this works very well, then when you get to the show your dog is not getting stressed knowing what is coming.
Take things a bit slower for a while as you don't want to get the dog feeling under pressure, talk to your dog constantly in a low monotone voice that has a calming effect usually. Don't forget to reward every time they show teeth without a problem (this can be food, verbal praise or gentle stroke). Good Luck

sorry I forgot to tell you one other method that I have had success with, Use a strong smelling treat such as cheese or liver treats, hold a piece concealed in you fist just at the dogs nose, they arre usually so distracted by the new smell of food that they ignore what else is going on around them

In Response to Lorripop

> Ringcraft i did attend when she was 3 months but wasn't happy with some of the other 'goers' and how they treated their dogs and no one said anything, so i tend to enter a lot of shows and use them as my ringcraft.
>

I would not dismiss the importance of ringcraft.

My youngest I wasn't able to get to Ringcraft and did the same as you.  My only issue was that she didn't like her teeth being looked at by strangers and fidgeted like mad, and her ring performance could be erratic as she got too excited on the move with other dogs in the ring with her.

Since Crufts (she didn't go as in season) a friend has been able to take me, and after just 3 weeks she was rock steady with teeth and a lot more settled moving.

To be honest as long as the people going over your dog are not a problem then what other people do or don't do at Ringcraft if it doesn't affect your girl should not come into it.  Of course you can always say something to the organisers if someone is actually mistreating their dog.

Ok will take all those things on board.

I think he looked a very stern and efficient judge, walked quite quick up towards her head and he didnt give me a feeling of making us at ease if that makes sense.

Will let you know how saturday goes at the devon show in exeter.

I definately wouldnt correct her - she would then associate being gone over in the ring with being told off and that would make her even less likely to be pleased about it next time.

My pups not too chuffed about having teeth looked at, so because we cant get to a ring craft, instead we are practicing at home and around on walks and im asking everyone we know to look at her teeth the way a judge does, and rewarding her with treats for it. I get people to go over her as well in the same way, and again, more sweeties for standing nicely whilst that happens too.

Think not doing ring craft when she was young was a mistake but one you can't now correct however if you can find one you like or just go and concentrate on your own dog it will help her.

From her point of view just going to a show must be stressful as she is not used to being surrounded by lots of unknown dogs and people it is no wonder that when someone goes to touch her she is letting them know she is unhappy.

Think you need to take her to ring craft, explain the situation and tell them what you want to achieve, explain you only use gentle and kind methods to get what you want. Just sit at first and talk to her, practice a little therapy by stroking her lightly in small circles. Praise her if dogs or people pass by and she does not react. After a few weeks start joining in, make sure the trainer knows she may growl.

IMO you may find someone who does clicker training a big help, does not have to be ring craft but any sort of training using the clicker may help because no force is used at all and once you get used to using a clicker the trainer will go over your dog in a slow and methodical way so your dog becomes used to it and at the same time learns how you wish them to behave when someone strange touches them. 

I did do ring craft but only for about 8 weeks (might have been slightly longer). We have done a lot of shows since she was 6 mths old and was grumbley for the first few then totally stopped it.
She is fine at shows regarding walking round and being in the ring, she doesn't bother with the other dogs unless they bother with her. In the ring she is well behaved and stands well for me.

Hopefully it was just this judge that she didnt like and all will be back to normal on saturday.

Is it too late to start an ordinary dog training class?? jst to get her more socialised with people as well as other dogs perhaps. 

No, not too late, you can start training at any age, that is how people who re-home dogs manage, they go back to basics and start the training over from the beginning.

Your bitch may seem ok at shows but inside she may be worried and having a stranger touch her is just too much. On the other hand she may just not understand what it is that is required of her.

I had a bitch that didnt like showing got really stressed but used Confidence plus from Doreen Paige and it worked wonders, she didnt back off from the judge and seemed more happy and confident in the ring.  I just gave her a small amount just before entering the ring.

Tracy

Confidence plus
Does this work on humans too? LOL

my girl is very friendly and easy going in and out of the ring but at one particular show I was shocked as  in a puppy class  she did the low growl as the judge was walking around taking a first look at all the dogs . As we got nearer to our turn she began again with the low growl as she looked at the judge . I must admit I left the ring as I didnt want her to become too stressed as obviously something was making her feel uneasy I wouldnt put a puppy through that.
I stood outside the ring and watched I noticed the judge was wearing a very sparkly bright pink top which glistened in the light I am sure my pup was spooked by this and that is what made her feel uneasy.

I.. same as yourself was a little concerned about my following show incase this happened again , luckily she was fine and has been ever since in fact she has seen that particular judge in the ring with her own dog and didnt flinch .

So I would imagine the judges movement his clothes etc may have spooked your pup so carry on be confident and she will too.

R~

Ooh never thought of that, but was he wearing a hat or glasses, especially sunglasses?  As this is the first spot of good weather we have had she may have never encountered these things before.

No sunglases or glasses (or sparkly top)he was just a big man in a dark suite and did sort of block all her view in front of her. I'm sure it would have been like a big black cloud coming over her.

what is that confidence plus stuff? herbal? does it come in tablet or drops? and where from please?

thanks everyone

confidence plus is herbal and liquid, doreen paige are at most champ shows.

Tracy

May also be worth getting some Scullcap & Valerian to help calm her nerves.