Hi all - hoping some of you may have some good ideas for me ;o)  Our pup is/was getting pretty good at standing for us but only if we use soft cheese! We tried moving on to hard cheese but he gets sooo excited that he practicaly chews our fingers off and will not stand at all! How did you guys get your pups to stand nicely and bait calmly?  Our first show pup so any help would be greatfully received :o)

Thanks

I find I have Io find the bait that will interest but not over excite, so usually carry various depending on the  dog or mood.

Baiting methods are different for different breeds.  I have a free standing breed, where my hand with bait is a good meter away from the dogs nose.  Some breeds seem to have the bait practically pushed in their mouths, and so this technique may not be the best for you.
I teach the leave command before stand.  Hold the bait in your hand, and pup only gets it when he takes his nose off your hand.  After he gets it right a few times introduce the word leave as he pulls away and give the treat.  He will soon learn trying to break into your hand gets him nowhere, but if he takes a step back he gets yummy cheese.  If he over mouths your hand while hes learning or gets too over excited a firm no will get him back on track.  Once he learns his nose cant touch your closed hand when you're holding food you can tell him 'stand' followed by 'leave' so that hes standing very alert with your hand just infront of his nose.  Once you have that you can slowly increase the distance your hand is from his nose.  If you have already taught the word leave as a no you cant have that come back here, use wait instead.  Well you could even teach him to 'carrot' or 'piano' if you like, as long as you use the same word every time!
For a stacked breed you could try the leave command as above, but without increasing the distance between the dog and your hand.  However someone who actually shows a stacked breed may have better advice for you.

With my last two girls done it via clicker training.  The first one used to be mental and wouldn't stand still until I tried clicker training her within literally five minutes she had calmed down and stands perfectly almost 90% of the time now!

Yes, I train with a clicker too, that tells a dog that a titbit is on the way but not when so they continue to concentrate on you and not the soon to be forthcoming treat. Different breeds do bait in different ways but most would not wish to hand over a treat when the judge is going over or looking. So to train to a click and then a command is the better way to go and then you can give the bait when it is a suitable time or not at all in the ring but when you leave it if preferred. Found with my own breed even to move the hand anywhere near a pocket will bring the ears to attention and the expression as alert as you could ask for then once the judge has passed on you can finish the job and give the treat.

Thanks all for your suggestions - I have tried the 'wait' but he nose dives into my hand or just sits down ;o) Will give the clicker a go!  I know what to do but convincing a 15 week old is proving more difficult LoL ;o) I don't want to be dispondant - I know he is still so young but (and I'm ashamed to admit) we are being thoroughly shown up by a pup who is 2 weeks older than our fella but who stands beautifully and behaves impeccibly. She even trots around amazingly well without the lumbering gallop or  the 'oh look its the judge - just roll and she will love my belly' thing that we have going on so well - whats worse is she is the same breed and gives our guy the whole 'OMG who let the chav in' look?!!Seriously, if she could roll her eyes at us I'm sure she would! Still, I'm still smiling but would like to at least look like we might be getting somewhere by the next class ;oD
If you have seen 'Marley and Me' thats what we have going on ;o)
Thanks again

If it is any consolation most judges would prefer puppies to behave like puppies not solders.

Thanks for that - like I said, I'm still smiling ;o)

Thats the fun of puppies!  If I ever have a 'you're just not getting it' moment I go and watch a ring of Gordon Setter puppies.  Those nutty clowns never disapoint!
As above, yes puppies should be puppies!  You may well find your boy will have a long lasting love of showing as its clearly so fun.  Whereas the 'perfect' older bitch may well tire of the whole showing lark after just a few years.
Enjoy!