Hi All

I have competed in agility and obedience in the past but am new to showing and this seems like the place to come with my questions.

so here goes.

1. What would be the best age to start ringcraft with a new puppy?     (I don't actually pick up my pup for a couple of weeks but I like to plan ahead.)

2. Should we do both ringcraft and basic obedience or just ringcraft?

3. Finally - Does anyone know of any good ringcraft classes in essex? (I'm near chelmsford)

Thanks
Victoria

Hi Victoria,

To answer 2 of your questions....
1. I took my show dog to Ringcraft and to Obediance as soon as it had had its injection and was able to mix with other dogs,the sooner you begin  ringcraft/training the better.

2. Word of warning about training though....I found it best when teaching my puppy to sit in obediance,not to let the instructors (or anyone else for that matter) reinforce the sit command by pressing on the puppys back end.....It could get confused in the ring when the judge goes over it and mistake this action  for the  sit command and therefore plonk its bum on the floor...not good in a show ring lol ;) Other than that I had no problems with doing both at the same time,dont know what anyone else on here thinks though.

as for your third question I have no idea about training in the area you mentioned as I live "OOP NORTH" lol sorry.
Someone else on here will help you out with that I imagine

Good Luck with your new puppy
Philly xx

there is a really good ringcraft class near harlow (matching tye) pm me for details.

they start them there as young as possible after they have had their injections i will be taking my new puppy next week

Hi Denny

I would love some info on this class, but i'm afraid i have no idea how to pm you. (I'm not even sure what it means)

Could someone please point me in the right direction

Hi Hugos There

Click on Dennys name then click send message. HTH

Great name BTW :-D

I also did ringcraft and obedience simultaneously. I started both as soon as she was vaccinated and ready to enter the world on her own four paws. She's never been confused and I've never had any problems with her standing well in the ring. I treat showing as just another obedience exercise. She sits when I ask her to, she stands when I ask her to - simple :)

Thanks everyone

I'm afraid i'm abit of a technophobe

> I also did ringcraft and obedience simultaneously. I started both as soon as she was vaccinated and ready to enter the world on her own four paws. She's never been confused and I've never had any problems with her standing well in the ring. I treat showing as just another obedience exercise. She sits when I ask her to, she stands when I ask her to - simple :-)

Great! Nice to hear it's possible to mix the two, hopfully we should be O.K.

Ive just read Loris post,then re read mine again and I just wanted to add sorry if what I said would make you inclined not to teach your puppy to sit  I didnt mean "dont teach your puppy to sit "just found it easier using another way .I taught my puppy to sit too,just didnt use the hand pressing down firmly on the bottom technique as used in some obediance training classes ive attended

Hope that clears up what I was trying to say lol
thanks Lori for making me realise how my origonal post sounded :)

LOL that wasn't directed at you philly, I read your post the way you intended. :) It makes sense not to teach your dog to sit when someone touches its backend and is certainly not how I taught a sit. I only mentioned the sit command because it's used so much in everyday life and I hear a lot of show people say never teach your dog to sit. I do heelwork with all positions and have never had a problem.

One trick that works for me is to have different collars and leads for different activities. I do obedience with a normal collar. I use a half check when I go to shows and don't put her slip lead on until we're ready to go into the ring. I switch back to the half check as soon as I leave the ring.

> One trick that works for me is to have different collars and leads for different activities.

Yes I do that too.  We have a one collar and lead set for trundling about the fields (ie rolling in fox poo!!) more relaxed walking.  A 'going out' set that I use for obedience classes, more precise controlled walking, and round the shows.  Then finally a show lead for the ring, ringcraft, and practise at home.  My dog knows exactly what is expected with each of these leads and presents different demeanour with each.  I love that dogs are so smart; although walking boots or show bag also give mine some clues!!

Another vote here too for obedience and ringcraft.  My dog learnt very quickly what I wanted from him and seems quite able to distinguish between the show ring and an obedience training event.  We've done Bronze and Silver Good Citizens with an excellent ADP Trainer who helped me to tweak some exercises to suit us better.  For instance I first practised stand with the dog in front of me, whilst most of the others would keep their dogs to one side, and the trainer would come and run her hands over him for added practice too.  At every stage she would help me to cross check to make sure we wouldn't send the dog mixed signals.  These type of courses really help you to understand what motivates your dog and to strengthen the bond between you so that you will get to a stage that your dog can perform in any position.  You also have the benefit of getting some really sound training advice for any home issues - can't be bad!

I'm definitely going to try using different collars and leads, it sounds like a really good idea. Of course my husband will moan that it's just an excuse to spend even more on the new pup. :-)

To be honest I'm not sure what type I need to show my boy in,
I must put it on the list of questions to ask when I pick him up.

> just an excuse to spend even more on the new pup.

Oh yes that's how my collar and lead collection started; and I also developed a bed buying compulsion too!! 

> I must put it on the list of questions to ask when I pick him up

We had so many questions to ask when we collected our boy but I was so excited that I forgot all the answers. 12 months later I'm still asking so thank goodness we had such a great breeder...

I hope it's not too long before you can collect him - waiting for a puppy is very hard isn't it?

> I hope it's not too long before you can collect him - waiting for a puppy is very hard isn't it?

We collect him in about 3 weeks and i'm hoping he'll sleep for most of the 4-5 hours home. It certainly feels like i've been waiting forever, but it's very exciting.

I'm filling my time with little shopping trips (Just for essentials you understand.) I'd swear I am more excited Than when I was pregnant. lol

> 12 months later I'm still asking so thank goodness we had such a great breeder...
>

Lol dog's a babe i'll second that lol ;) I'm on the phone virtually almost everyday if not I on msn talking to her about everything DOG....

3 weeks will soon go by in no time......Bet you cant wait Victoria