Hi all, I am looking for some help and advise on something I can see may develop into a real problem. At my pups first few shows he was rock solid, but now it is becoming a real problem for judges to see his bite. Yesterdays show was a disaster. The judge did eventually manage to sneek a quick look after I had moved him up & down but that was it. I have tried having a titbit ready to reward him immediately but that is having no effect, he won't even let me look now. His gums are not sore & he finished teething a while ago Any ideas ?

with my pup i practiced every day looking into his mouth. each morning whilst making his breakfast he would be standing in kitchen waiting and i would touch his mouth and say "teeth" then gave him his food. after a few days i would lift up his lip, then advance to opening mouth, and then getting other people to do it. after a week or so he was happy for anyone to look into his mouth. i always say teeth at shows so he knows the judge will be looking in his mouth and it isnt a surprise, i then reward him after. hes never had a problem with people looking.
take it easy with him.

It is entirely possible that his teeth were hurting at one time when someone was checking his teeth. Probably his teething has something to do with it. He will remember the fact that it hurt when someone was touching his mouth.

What I would do to help him overcome this is to just lift the sides of the gums up, just enough to see the teeth, but not to see his bite. Only do it for a second or so. Praise him, but don't make too much of a fuss to start with. Treat him if he is food orientated. In time, when he is comfortable with this, you can move onto checking his bite. At this time I wouldn't let just anyone look, just yourself. Let him know that you are not going to hurt him. Once he is comfortable with you then you can start to let other people look.

I know a lot of people, and some judges, will only let the owner/handler touch the dogs mouth. Partly because of cross contamination of germs, and partly because you just don't know how the judge will treat the mouth. Some are a bit harsh. :-(

Thank you Suz & Lindylou for your replies. You are right and I suppose in a way I am panicking as his first Champ Show is only a couple of days away. I will take it very slowly as you have both suggested and hopefully he will come round to the idea that it is nothing to be afraid of.