I am COMPLETLY new to showing / and dog ownership too (as you can see from all my questions lol)
SO, I have got my pup standing (very well might I add) but ...

I have to hold his head in place and I also hold his tail up, so how do I now start to move my hand away from his head (just under his jaw) because as soon as I do this he moves,

AND... how do I get him to stand there for a few minutes, he gets bored after a minutes or two at the most

Thanks AGAIN x

My breed are free stood but some breeds, gundogs in particular, are shown with the head and tail held, goodness knows why. From what I have seen the head is held in one hand and the tail in the other, the handler sort of squats in a somewhat undignified manner, worry not everybody else will be doing the same. The time your dog will stand still will increase as he becomes used to it and gets older. Unless it's an elkhound in which case it may never do so :-)

Hello

What breed do you have? 

I show Gordon setters.  

Start slowly and so long as he has all four feet on the floor, hold his head and his tail for a few seconds and praise.  Gradually increase the time you hold him still and then once he is happy with you holding his head, start moving his feet into the correct position so he gets used to his feet being moved.  You need to be very gentle with his head as his jaws may be sore from teething. 

Try and find a ringcraft classes local to you

Good Luck

Jill

Don't be in too much of a hurry to make your dog stand perfectly, puppies have the attention span of a gnat!!( some older dogs too)If you go to a ringcraft class they will advise you how best to stand your dog, All breeds have their own style of handling, that does not mean you should slavishly copy everyone elso though.
Your puppy should retain its character, a dog that looks like a stuffed toy is not good for showing, they must have typical breed characteristics. Practise for short periods and keep it fun. If you are anywhere near Bedford/Milton Keynes get in touch. Best of luck for your show career.

I prefer my dogs to freestand but sometimes I do have to stack them.

change of subject,
my boy has just started to play up.
He used to stand very well but just latley he keeps sitting down and looking back.
He has just discovered he's a boy!!!!
will he settle down again or will i have to start the calming meds ( varein compound from dorwest herbs) again?

> He used to stand very well but just latley he keeps sitting down and looking back.
> He has just discovered he's a boy!!!!
>

Yes, he will settle back down but you may be in for a frustrating few months till he emerges the other side of his 'Kevin' faze to become your lovable boy again.

Thank you for all you're help- he tands great- I think sometimes I pull his back legs a bit too far out- he has only just been allowed to go out so will get him to ringcraft asap nearest one is half hour away.

I live in Kent.
We went for our first walk the other day - so much fun- I trusted him that much he was even allowed off lead- he stayed with us all the way and I even changed directions constantly to see if he was defo following us-  He is a beagle breed so is known for wondering off too. I will keep an eye on it obv.

I just hope when we do show my nervs dont reflect on him- were both new- and hes better than me already lol.

One point I did notice was to praise him alot- I am quite stern when practising and then praise after- should I be praising all the way through ?
x

As he is so young I wouldn't be doing too much training (odd though that sounds ;-) ) There is the possibilty that he goes stale and won't enjoy showing at all. It sounds like he is standing better than my 13 month old :-D Let him enjoy his puppyhood as much as you can without overdoing it. Little and often is the way to go, but not too often (just a few times each day, rather than every hour or so, if you kno0w what I mean)

I don't praise mine until they have finished what I want them to do. That way they don't think they have finished and mess up the stand/move. Trying to run a dog up and down that just wants to jump up and play is sooooo annoying :-)