My girl has her first show in a few weeks, however she paces quite frequently. When she trots properly she moves really nicely, however she seems to find it quite comfortable to pace instead. The 'judges' at ringcraft have suggested changing the side I put her on, changing pace and turning a quick circle before running her out but none of this seems to change much. I have really only just got her running out properly without jumping up, sniffing or pulling me along.. so I don't want to upset her too much either! She is a large breed, 5 months old and very gangly.. does anyone know whether she will grow out of it when she becomes more balanced or will it get worse?
Any suggestions appreciated :-D

As you start to move, gently knock her off balance with your left knee and if she's built right, she should adjust her pace. :)

Will be trying that tomorrow morning... let's hope she's built right!!

I think she will grow out of it, once all her muscles and bones have developed.  Pacing is an energy saving gait (pregnant dogs and camels do it) so it is to be expected that a growing pup will do it, particularly a large breed.  It is also a sign of laziness, but you don't want to do too much to gee her up as she is so young.

I find turing the dog around you before setting off helps.  Helps get a dog into a stride quicker I find and it has worked on many dogs.

Also tapping the head up as setting off throws the balance and chages the gate.

Moving into a brisk trot from the very first step is the key. I say GO or Trot on or such as a signal to strike into trot.

If you allow a pacer to amble from slow walk -into slow trot -then show pace a pacer will just pace faster and faster.

I agree - made right - moves right. That's why a judge asseses movement afterall.

Although unwanted in the show ring pacing is a normal dog gate, it seems the best way is to get them a little off balance. Turn before starting, twitch the lead to one side, push on the shoulder with hand or knee, check speed increase speed or anything else that will make the dog change the pace and the chances are it will restart in the required fashion.

EDIT to say please don't try everything I have suggested at once.

And expect any judge worth their salt to spot all the little tricks!

is your dog an ess by any chance?

She is a Weimaraner :-)

And expect any judge worth their salt to spot all the little tricks!

I've had a judge at Crufts give me advice in the ring on how to stop the dog I was handling pacing. :-D I can't see any judge worth their salt minding the dog being given a chance to move as they CAN do.

MarianneB: Were you advised anything that hasn't already been mentioned?

My boy can move like a dream but at times tends to pace, so reading this with much interest.
This pacing has lost him places i have been told. When he moves i have been told, in view that i can't see what he is doing is one of the best moving dogs coming through right now..

MarianneB: Were you advised anything that hasn't already been mentioned?

No, it's all been mentioned. What wasn't adviced in the ring to me was circling before moving and we have since found that works.

One other thing I do with dogs at my class that pace, is to move at normal trot- stop- then immediately start again several times. It MUST be instantanious stop-start no delay in between. after a couple of runs up and down the mat at this the dog will usually go back to correct gait. We used to do this at shows before going in the ring the once in the ring the dog moved beautifully (most of the time)  with an older dog, increasing the spedd and handler lengthening their stride often works too.

Thanks all.. will be having a play with those suggestions over the weekend. Will post any useful feedback! :-P

I found the stopping and telling them to trot and moving off quickly with an upward lift of the lead for the first stride worked with my bitch who could pace at speed.

I find the habit develops because human walking speed is not fast enough for a medium to large dog to trot when we lead walk them.  As babies they don't do it as our walking will initially match their trotting speed.  I find none of mine do it until they get to almost full size.

> And expect any judge worth their salt to spot all the little tricks!

This is true, but any judge worth their salt would know pacing is a normal gate for dogs but would wish to see the dogs at a trot or walk. The handlers attempts to correct pacing will be seen in many rings and the judge would not be concerened, they are expecting a good handler to present their dogs movement in the way they, the judge, wishes to see it, no judge would wish to asses movement from a pacing dog.

Can you tell me if these tips work for small breeds as well as I have a toy breed that will pace even at a fast speed.

Sorry if I sound a complete doughnut, but what does it mean when a dog paces?
:)

Moving like a camel - both legs on the same side moving together ie front left and rear left legs move forward, land on ground, then front right and rear right move together.

Does that make any sense???

Perfect sense. Thank you :)

I think I am probably the root of the problem as I make her walk more slowly as she tends to want to drag me everywhere... so paces to keep to my snails pace. No we walk FAST everywhere and today I did quite a bit of lead work and tried pushing her off balance with my knee. After many dirty looks 'you are a horrible mum, stop pushing' she actually did an up and down and a triangle with proper action. So we have progress... thank you all for sharing your knowledge! Now I just need someone to lead her out for me so I can see her for myself... hmmm :-P

Odd thing but if you watch teams of working sled dogs they are often pacing, it is, by all accounds an efficent way for a dog to move, however not wanted in the show ring.

Think the same principal would apply to toy dogs, you need to get them off balance, that, is not easy with a very small dog.

If you ask the trainer at your ringcraft to help by showing you your dogs movement .I am sure they would be pleased to help. I know I love being able to get my 'hands on'.Another tip as your dog will not always move as well with someone else, is to get someone to video you at the class both standing & moving, then you will get a true picture! Whem practising the stand at home try to set up in front of a mirror, or patio doors in the evening, that way you will see exactly what the judge sees.

says in breed standard for ess  At slow movement may have a pacing stride typical of this breed

Try moving her on your right hand side instead of your left, it may be she's got lazy as well moving on the same side and trying something different may just knock her out of it.

My Cavalier girl paces if I don't set off smartly enough, and she can go really fast pacing before being forced to break into a trot. I have to stop and start again. Like others have said, I do find turning a circle as we start helps, also on the corners I almost stop her and then start again with a little jerk on the lead to get her going, that could well be doing the 'putting slightly off balance' thing that people have suggested. It's a pain isn't it, she has fabulous movement when she does it right!

I have considered getting someone else to run her out for me, however most the people at my ringcraft have tiny little dogs and worst still, my girl absolutely will not leave me for a stranger. I am going to get the OH to video next time... good idea. We already have a large mirror set up in the living room for stacking practice... Storm often stops to admire herself... as does the OH. **sigh**