Hi everyone, does anyone have any tips on showing RR's? I have a 6 month old bitch who i take to show training each week. She has been in one show as she has just turned 6 months, and got 3rd in AV puppy in class of 8. I was really pleased with her as the winner has qualified for crufts and the second got BOB the weekend before!
Anyway the only problems i have with her is getting her to move without pacing ( both legs on each side moving together instead of diagonal pairs) and sometimes getting her to ove at all! she stands well and is always wagging her tail as the judge goes over her so she's not scared. the other thing is she keeps sitting down when the judge takes the final look at all of the dogs, will this get better in time?

The other thing i was hoping you could help me with was some information on some dogs in her pedigree, namely her sire.  His name is Veldtkammer Challenge.  any info gratfully recieved!

Does anybody know if the pacing is a breed trait as my 13 month old RR does it as well?
I know there are lots of knowledgeable people out there so please come and help!
My name is Helen. i am new to dog showing, (though not dogs), after horses finally got too expensive! I live on a thoroughbred stud though so no shortage of them near me!

There are many ways to help stop pacing, one is to move faster (dogs normally pace because they can because they are moving slowly

Another is to tap the dogs head up as you set off, this will bring the whole body up and may prevent the pacing

The 3rd is to keep doing about turns.  Before you start moving the dog take him/her round you and then go straight into the movment, on each corner of a triagle take the dog about you and on the up and down at the top take the dog about you.

try each way and see what work's best.

Our setter's pace when I don't take them fast enough.  It seems to be a common thing that dalmation's do naturally!!!!!  Pacing is a lazy way of moving.

Good luck with the showing.  I've been doing it too long seens I'm only 17

Pacing is a natural dog gait,( saying that not all dogs will pace) dogs use a pacing gait as it uses less energy or if there is an under laying problem. One of mine paces when he needs a chiro treatment & one of my others paces when she's feeling lazy lol :D
Pacing isn't something show people want in their show dogs unless it is meant to have a pacing gait.

HTH

If I'm handling a dog with a tendancy to gait (sometimes happens if the dog is laid back and lazy!) I gentle nudge it with my left knee if it's smallish or with my left hand if it's larger, as it is about to start to move.  This gently knocks it off balance and it has to think about moving rather than doing it without thinking and being sloppy! :)

thanks everyone for your advice, i'm now registered so expect to hear more from me! i will try your tips when i go to training tonight. i think gracie is just lazy!!

bye helen

Welcome!

If she is just lazy then maybe getting her head up will help, either with a tap under the chin or by using food (if you can).

Ask the instructors at ringcraft and they shoudl be able to help you! :)

well took gracie to ringcraft last night and she was the best she's been, probably knew i'd been on here moaning! ha ha. anyway i've discovered that she doesn't like the collar pulled up, only under her chin, so i will add this to the fact that she doesn't like metal collars or chokes and would much rather the tit bit on the floor to one in my hand! whos in control do you think?! anyway last night was a dog match and she won her matches although missed out on best puppy but i was thirilled because she was so good. even her stand is now 70% there first time. thanks again for all of your advice it got me thinking of different things to try with her and when gracie has decided that she doesn't like this way anymore i'll be ready with another one!!

when you say collar pulled up are you talking about being strung up (lead tight around the neck coming out top?)  If so many dog's don't like that.  Loose leads preferd all round in this house and I have two photo's of two quality bitches in our breed, one if shown on a loose lead, the other strung up.  In both moving pictures I have removed (or dad did) the handlers/leads and we have asked many people which dog they feel looks better on the move, both have pointed to the loose lead ran dog as she has a better shape and outline and looks more natural (infact the picture looks like there was never a handler anyway!!!!

sorry didn't describe it very well. what i mean is giving her the command to move by tugging the lead from above her ear to now doing it from under her chin. would love to use a loose lead but if i didn't keep reminding her with a tug under her chin then she would just stop! will run beautifully on a loose lead out on a walk mind you! singing, chatting, generally silly noises, don't seem to make much difference, but she is still young so gets tired quickly. the second and third run up of the evening are usually best.
have to have her head 'strung up' in the stand as otherwise can't get her nose off the floor. gracie doesn't seem to mind this and is standing much better, she would soon let me know if there were any objections!
why did you say in your other reply (someone else must like ridgebacks) that you would never own one? but you're right they are lovely looking! and such characters i.e Gracie!

didnt check the other message before writing this so ignore the last question.
do you have any tips on getting dogs to eat? my RR dog is a pain for not eating, looks at his food as though it's going to attack him and then at me as if i'm trying to poison him! he will then spend the next half hour trying to get a frozen pea out from under the fridge or diving ravenously on any crumb i drop!
have tried many different brands and types (museli ,kibble) with no effect. he will eat every scrap of food from a small size 'trial' bag until you get a sack and then looks at you as if you've gone out of your mind trying to get him to eat that!
has tripe on meals at the moment but is getting silly, any magic cures??? PLEASE?!! its driving us both mad, (me and the boyfriend, not mungo, he doesn't care)

Is your dog a playful dog? Because one of my cavalier boys never used to eat but i picked up 1 biscuit and said 1,2,3 GO! and he got all excited ran after the biscuit and ate it and everytime he did that i said 1,2,3 go and then i through the biscuit. I also made him know that if he did not eat his breakfast or his dinner he would not be getting any doggy treats during the day. He has a very good appetite now so maybe you shoukd give this a try? p.s I know it sounds quite stupid but it worked for mine. LOL

thanks cavalirez, no idea is too stupid for me, i have had dogs long enough to have lost any self respect! i will give it a go he'll have to be quick though as we've got two labs who eat EVERTHING! he doesn't get any treats in the day but i have tried stuffing his food in a kong to see if he would 'work' to get it but he's too lazy and gets bored. i have a suspition that i will be there shouting 1,2,3,GO and throwing a biscuit while Mungo stands there looking at the other dogs as if he is saying, "Thats it, she's finally flipped" when my boyfriend gets home!!! will try it tonight

OK LOL! Your other two labs will probably try to get the biscuit thrown on the floor which will make mungo jelous so he will probably go and eat it but if he doesnt dont give up