Hi, my friend has a dog that is spoiling its chances in the ring because he wont allow the judge to touch him, does anyone remember an advert that used to appear in the dog papers for a homeopathic remedy for such a thing? she has tried Dorwest etc but didnt work. Tried ringcraft with differnt people trying to go over him etc etc and all the usual training things, if somebody can remember or recommend somthing that would be great.

Much will depend on why the dog doesn't want to be handled and how it behaves when someone tries to go over it - i.e. aloof, slightly anxious, fearful, threatened/threatening, aggressive ...... Not all dogs are cut out to be show dogs, however typey in appearance and good in construction etc. they seem.

Personally I don't believe in masking symptoms, especially those which could lead to a dog snapping or worse, however as this may not be at all how the dog is reacting, perhaps it's worth trying HERE for help.  Personally I'd recommend you telephone for advice and with a more detailed explanation of the dog's problems.  I attended a couple of courses some years back run by Frances Gavin (who's site it is) and she is very helpful on all matters canine

HTH,
regards, Teri :)

In my experience it is better for the dog to get used to One person slowly, then when they seem comfortable with that person gradually introduce another. Do not attempt to force the dog to be handled, I have had many dogs (in my class)that would leap away from the judge or trainer, at first I would stand away from the dog talking to handler with no attempt to touch dog gradually the dog begins to trust and one hand can be used to touch it, the slowly each time try a liitle bit more (always the same person). If you need more pm me direct.
I do not favour giving sedation to the dog as it tends to dull their natural sparkle and character. If a dog truly does not enjoy being shown then maybe you should ask yourself if you ought to stop and fing another activity to do together. Not all dogs enjoy the show experience.

Unless the breed standard allows for being nervous of strangers, then I would judge the dog to be lacking in one of the most important areas, temperament, and so I wouldn't consider doing anything that would artificially disguise the fact, if training didn't improve it.

I once tried pretty much every single remedy there is with a dog I had -I'd say it made things worse. I'll never use anything again. Better to tackle the root of the problem.

A lot of the time (sadly) people at ringcraft can also make things worse. A dog that backs off does so because it is scared, to force him to be touched isn't going to help. If you were scared of snakes, throwing you into a bath full of snakes and holding you down won't cure that. :) Small steps at a time with sensible people and lots and lots of treats, giving the dog confidence, is much better. I had two dogs backing off judges. I attended a one day clicker training course for show dogs with problems and neither of those have ever backed off again, and it is all done without any force. These courses aren't held very often but they do appear now and then, mainly in Lincolnshire but now and then also in Surrey. Check out http://www.teamworktraining.co.uk/showoff.asp It's well worth even a long journey -well it was for my dogs for sure.

I agree with westcoast, but there can be circumstance caused by less than careful handling by inexperienced people or judges (or just plain stupid), which with patience and understanding can be overcome. If only the KC would incorporate a section on ' How to go over a dog' life would be better. You would not believe some of the idiotic and stupid things I have had dogs brought to my classes for. One nameless judge had his mobile phone in his top pocket, and yes,as he bent down over the dog it fell out on to the dogs head, hows that for stupidity ( and he was a Ch Show judge). I regularly see judges eyeballing the dogs, then they wonder why it rumbles at them or backs away!

Many thanks for all the informative posts, I will pass all of them on to my friend, I am not able to help her much as I dont have the same breed and my dogs are happy showers thank god. Her priority is the dog so she wont push him in any way, so thank you all who have replied I told her champdog members would help.

My dogs daughter was trodden on by a judge and after that refused to be gone over, she was fine outside of the ring with strangers but as soon as you stood her she would back off from the judge.  I recommended http://www.ttouchtteam.co.uk/ and so far so good, she has really improved and will now allow a judge to go right over her without backing off.

Don't want to sound hard and it is true that some dogs go through a "don't tough me stage" but if a dog has been taken to ring craft classes since a pup and at a year is still not happy being gone over perhaps this dog is not really suitable for the show ring.

my dog stands like a trooper BUT one back leg shakes ....any tips to stop this? i do lift it and put it down again but off it goes again