.:HayleyH:.
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Any Tips??Hiya,
It's not long before my first ever dog show and my dog (brittany) seems really unwilling to co-operate, when im training him alone he is really well behaved, however, if i ask someone to come and watch, he completely ignores me even if i tempt him with a handful of treats! Also i doesnt like anyone by his mouth, he doesnt bite but he does squirm, how can i stop that 
Please Help 
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cressy
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Hi, is his first show the BCGB Open in June???? If so use the saturday to get other peeps to go over him gently, certainly that is what I am planning to do!!
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guy
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hayleyH welcome to the forum.
how old is he?
just a few thoughts -
to keep his head still - make sure the lead - and i suggest you use a half choke - make sure it is located well up his neck - you will have much more control.
Hold the loose skin of his lower jaw to stop his head moving to much. ~( the side away from the judge.)
whilst he is standing rub his tummy along the side of his penis. They seem to like this 
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BritAnnie
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You should go to ringcraft classes with him, Hayley, before you go in the ring. But certainly we will all help on the Saturday.
Annie
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cressy
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Sadly I can't get to ringcraft but I do get peeps to run their hands over Mugi and I try to get him to stand still while people walk past and round him. My other big bug bear though is I hate dogs that look bored in the ring so I would rather have a 'naughty' dog at the first few shows who is having fun than a dog acting as an automaton.
It has taken me 2 years to get my deerhound to stand well in the ring but his movement is great and he enjoys himself (tail is waggling madly). He does have some pretty hefty faults (feet and tail carriage) and he will never be winning big awards but a place and fun means more to me.
Using treats is good in one sense but you really need to use something he adores and that he only ever gets when he works hard at standing still.
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Liz
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Hayley, We've all been there, believe me. It can take ages for them to settle down, but he will eventually. I have enormous trouble still with my girl if she thinks someone has better treats than I have - on one occasion she walked backwards round the ring as she knew the person behind me had very tempting food!
I agree with Sue, you want the dog to be happy. Any judge worth his/her salt should be able to work out what a dog is like even if it is moving around a bit. You don't want a statue and some fidgeting should be forgiveable in the lower classes.
Try and not let his behaviour bug you, as this just leads to more tension as he will sense you're unhappy with him. Don't forget, it is supposed to be fun for both of you.
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Ghilliegumdrop
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If he's more interested in other people make sure you get on the end of the line so everyone else is in front and not distracting him from both ends.
AND DON'T WORRY we have all been there [and some of us are still there where ever that is]
Jan
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.:HayleyH:.
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Hey, thanks everyone i'll try all your tips and have my fingers crossed that they all work 
My first show is in may, cant wait even if i end up losing I'd be happy with 10th place out of 9 places
If i watch for whats wrong i'll get everyones help to put it right in june 
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BritAnnie
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Just noticed the message at the end of your posts. - Don't throw sticks for dogs - they can get them stuck in their throats
And you're right - School can wait for a bit - but not too long, that's important too!
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Ghilliegumdrop
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Which show are you going to in May Hayley?
Jan
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.:HayleyH:.
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Annie, i dont actually throw sticks (or dummies), i just saw that on a site and thought it was funny  my dad doesnt let me throw anything for the dog, he doesnt retrieve as it is
Im going to the open show in Selby and im in for the 'Any variety gundog' class - Nervous-
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BritAnnie
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Don't be nervous - it'll go down the lead, take a good deep breath just as you go in the ring, don't go up first so you can watch what the others do. Don't chat too much in the ring - watch the judge(I nearly missed my turn once by doing that ). At an open show you get your ring number from the steward when you go in for your class so check the catalogue for your number when you get it.(or they might just hand them out with the catalogues - we do that) and tell your Dad we'll get him sorted in June
Good luck at Selby!
Annie
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.:HayleyH:.
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Thanks Annie cant wait for my first show, even if i come last it will be fun  . My dad is working on retrieving at the min with a pair of socks that Moss has just found and stole from some other room in the house
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BritAnnie
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I know the feeling - I just found one of my slippers in the spare room - it's been missing since before tea and I didn't even know the door to that room was ajar!
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.:HayleyH:.
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I think its amazing how dogs seem to be able to take anything and you dont notice, they could take the turkey on christmas and you probably wouldnt notice until its to late 
The Devils!!! 
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BritAnnie
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My Mum was convinced that our cross cocker/lab had evil powers  She watched her move a piece of liver(just after wartime and bought specially for my Dad's tea) from a plate in the middle of the kitchen table off the table and into her open mouth. She coudn't believe her eyes and swore blind that the plate was in the middle of the table not on the edge. I don't think my Dad believed her!
Annie
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.:HayleyH:.
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I think all dogs seem to have evil powers, only when they want them though, like if there is FOOD involved
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