My beagle who has been like a sack of spuds and I have never heard make a sound when she has been gone over has flipped.  We went to ringcraft Wednesday evening the judge was messing around with her face and went to her teeth and she barked and nearly fell of the table.  Well it was more of a major roar really.  The woman was very short and was on eye level and was wearing glasses.

We tried her again today my friend checked her teeth and she was fine until she went down to her level. Then she did the same thing going totally mad on the lead.  When she came back later she jumped up to her for a cuddle.   We suspect it is eye contact that is causing the problem.  As the judges place a great deal of store on a beagles face then it means we are stuffed. :(

She is a bad phantom and it seems to occur when she is handled by my daughter who up until Wednesday night she was sleeping with.  We are now not allowing this as I suspect she might be hormonal and possibly thinks Charlotte is her baby and possibly protecting her and we also not allowing her into the living room and are keeping her in the dining room with our other dalmatian.  We are hoping this will break what I think is too strong a bond with Charlotte.

I am totally confused as she has never as much as given anybody a dirty looked and now seems to be totally spooked.  She is 9 months old.

Hi, it might be her age.

Warm regards Susan

I dont think it is as she was fine until ringcraft.  She is very very docile I can honestly say I have never had such a nice natured dog.  I just feel like jumping of a bridge at the minute (okay maybe I am being a drama queen)

TTS, I agree with age.  Our youngest setter did her freaky (no-one going to touch her) and started at ringcraft when a good friend of ours went over her. 

Get her used to people playing with her and then looking at her face (not in the eyes though) and when people fuss her ask them to do this :)

Edit to add: She was as sound as anything before this and did a fair share of puppy wins! :)

Ah dont worry to much i'm sure she'll come right maybe she just didn't like the woman at ringcraft, and she's put her off abit. 

Warm regards Susan

It could be that she is coming into season, some bitches go really funny just before they come in.

My young Irish went through a phase of really backing off the judge, to the point where she would do a back flip to get away. I read on here about Vitamin B  being used to calm slightly nervous dogs down. I started my girl on a course and after 2-3 weeks she was fine. As soon as she started standing for the judge properly, which was about a month, I took her off them and fingers crossed we haven't had a problem since.

I think it is the age .....nine months (mine too) they become peculiar with most things its the next stage of growing up hormones etc.You find a lot of puppies at training classes begin to mess around at this age just carry on and it will eventually pass.

The problem is she is barking at the judges when they are going near her mouth or looking at her face so I cant carry on at shows until this has stopped.  People will say she is aggresive.  I am certainly not going back to ringcraft in case I get the same person.  I do hope you are all right and it is her age.  There is nothing physically wrong with her and I wouldnt say she is nervous because she isnt a nervous dog.  My dalmatians all went through the backing off stage but this is more than that. She is not coming into season as she has got a phantom and was in season in July.

This could not have come at a worse time as it is the Richmond handling finals next week and my daughter wont be able to go if this keeps up.

I'm going to sound really boring but have you tried T Touch to help her relax, my puppy is going through a bark/fear stage & if I massage him he relaxes & the barking stops & he chills out

I had a beardie who had awful phantoms & she went handshy, she was a greedy dog so just fed her constantly whilst friends went over her & being a GSD handler I always showed the teeth & stuffed food down her at the same time, so she related the handling with her sole please in life food

To be honest with you that is usually what we do with the dallies when they go through this phase.  Unfortunately I have got the only beagle in the country who is not interested in food.  We have tried toys as well but she just looks at you completely not interested.

We did take her to the vets today and she has confirmed that she definatley thinks it is her phantom that is causing the strange behaviour.  It is such a shame as she really is the sweetest dog usually.  Lets hope the galastop kicks in before next Saturday.

I'm surprised the T Touch hasn't worked, never met a dog before it didn't help a little

You havent met lucky. ;)

I will let the lady know who taught me, she's one of Linda's original people & has never had a dog, cat, etc that didn't respond, so your bitch must be unique

She is a bit strange in some respects but if she could help tell me why it doesnt work then I would be very interested to know why.

My friend emma spent ages doing it to her and no difference whatsoever.

Is she applying enough pressure ? It can be done very gently to quite firmly & is best if done by the owner. If I can do it I'm sure you can

Have look here it explains it far better than me ;)