I recently got a 'correction' at my ringcraft class for looking at my dog whilst moving it - the teacher wants me to look ahead at all times in order to get the dog to walk in a straight purposeful line.  I also found a youtube tutorial that suggests that you should look ahead too.

I've tried to do it - it doesn't come naturally, especially with the young, slightly unconfident dog.   I'ts interesting to observe how many people do look at their dogs, but is it necessary? and am I making her anxious by looking at her all the time?  Does it give a better picture if I'm looking ahead?

Has anyone got any thoughts on this?

I'll say one thing from experience -if you don't look ahead, you might trip up and fall flat on your face in the ring! :) I think it's more common to look at smaller breeds where you just WALK fast (and in my toybreed, you want to make sure the tail is up), but if you have to run, easier to look ahead. Personally I'd say it's whatever works for you and the dog, nothing else. I'm sure if you look at a lot of Crufts group photos you will see some handlers looking at the dog when moving but not all. No hard and fast rule for sure. You can't see how your dog moves when you do it though so will have to trust what people say works best for your dog.

Was always told to look ahead - stops the dog looking back up at you and possibly spoiling their outline by crabbing? 

Watch those who did look at their dogs all the time and see what the dog does back  - more often than not the dog is turning its head to look at the owner :)

I usually can feel if my dog is moving well or not.

I think a bit of both..if you dont look ahead every now & again you might not be heading in the right direction but if you dont look at the dog now & again how would you know if its pacing/galloping or any other thing? It might be lame so you would want to stop to investigate further.
So for me a bit of both

A bit of both here too, though I suspect I look at the dog too much!

Ah the old 'one eye looking at you - one eye looking ahead' trick.

Im always aware of exactly what my dog is doing and keep glancing down to see.

Im amazed at those who march off like a tin soldier with their dog pacing behind them. I often think it would be funny to cut the lead to see if they notice the dog is not with them.

Watch Jason Lynn...he is always aware of every stride the dog takes.
Watching out of the corner of your eye is not the same as engaging your dog ....in a way that makes him think you want him to watch you - as in heel work.
Train to get the dog to 'GO' ie move away briskly, slightly in front of the heel position but look away if he eye contacts you.
Glances are all that is needed.

> I often think it would be funny to cut the lead to see if they notice the dog is not with them.
>
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PMSL...I have often wanted to do the same...lol

:-)
Perhaps we should try some day :-)

Do you know I was thinking of Jason Lynn going round the ring and he does look(glance' at the dog every now and then.. If you run on a loose lead you don't always know where their head is looking if you don't look down.. If you look down too much it does come across as lacking a wee bit of confidence, but in ringcraft there is nothing wrong in looking down and coaxing a shy dog imo.

were told at our class to watch your dog when moving, odviously you have to keep looking up or you would end up going into a wall or something lol

Watching either Jason or Mike you will see they are checking the dogs continuously to the point that Mike has often been seen to run iont the table, tent poles and even the judge.   Look at the best Junior Handlers too, they are constantly watching their dogs while moving (hence the odd JH tilted shape as they go round the ring).  I think it is  vital to watch what the dog your are handling is doing on the move.

thank you all!

I could only find Mike handling when I googled Afterglow, but did find a youtube of Jason judging a JH contest - I've never really appreciated how serious junior handling is.  I found it fascinating watching and recognised the JH tilt!  Although I must say that I find this a bit ugly to watch!! I hadn't really appreciated how much of a difference the handler can make to the dog - it sort of becomes a whole picture... the good handlers definitely enhance the dog.

I've been practicing today and filming it - much better when I look ahead more!

I think you may find some video of Mike at the Eukanubas year before last.  Yes, the juniors are very hot at handling!  Although I think the tilt may be a bit much for the more mature handler!

A really good handler is a joy to watch and I've seen relatively inexperienced dogs blossom under an expert. Obviously it is down to loads of practice as well as tricks of the trade but I do think some are gifted with super- fast eyes, reactions and brains. A bit like really good choreographers see things the rest of us don't or if we do they saw it much earlier.

I do both. One of the criticisms I had from my mentor was that I needed to keep in touch with my dog more, that the rapport wasn't there. A glance down and a word or two have really helped. It's made a big difference to the way he moves in the ring.

> Obviously it is down to loads of practice as well as tricks of the trade but I do think some are gifted with super- fast eyes, reactions and brains

Couldnt agree more.
Ive taught ringcraft for decades and some people are resolutely unaware of what their dog is doing at any given time.

They may be taught all the skills - but the moment their mind wanders.... their dog might as well have walked off.
You see this at shows all the time, owners blissfully unaware where there dog is, what its doing, if its wrapped around a chair leg, peeing up a trade stand..... oblivious!
At class I used to say..."with your dog" when I wanted them to move away in a brisk but together manner.
It doesnt come naturally for many.

I have to say I look at mine.  The two breeds that I show are on opposite scales, Pomeranian's and Spanish Water Dogs.  At the moment we have a Pom who would be great at obedience as he looks up and walks, for me, to close to heal !  He's a great little dog with lots of attitude, but I have to keep looking down to ensure that he doesn't get to close to me.

I too look at mine to make sure they're not pacing but it is important to be aware of where you are going,if you are all moving round together you must make sure you don't get too close to the dog/handler in front. I learned the hard way-when I first started showing many moons ago aged 14 I was too busy looking at my dog and I tripped over one of the legs on the fencing separating the rings. I fell on the hard surface (it was at midland counties) and cut all my hands and knees. I had to withdraw as my freshly washed dog and white show lead were decorated in my blood!

I think (at least I hope!) I'm reasonably aware of where my dog is for just walking round the ring at shows, in fact I'm more likely to walk into the ring ropes because I'm watching them too much. But I do have a lot more trouble with our rally obedience, there are so many different stations and commands that we all need to learn, and I know I'm terrible at giving consistent signals and commands, it's a wonder they manage to understand what I'm asking! :-D