Showing - Barking and growling in the show ring
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| He needs to get out more and get comfortable with other dogs around. Also, just like obediecne training, many clubs have conformation training classes. Something to look into. |
| He may be intimidated. You could try some puppy matches, no points but it may help. Do you show him yourself or use a handler? |
| I know of at least 2 dogs who had to be retired because of their anti social behavior. Your girl doesn't like having dogs behind her? Something to work on. Also, could she be reading your nervousness?
Time for more socializing and puppy matches. Even getting a group of friends with dogs and going thru the lining up, down and back and having strangers touch them will help. |
| Socialisation!! is the key word. Definately go to some sort of classes and get him use to being around other breeds of dogs. The show scene can be quite intimidating to a youngster, such a different enviroment to what they are use to at home, different dogs, different noises etc etc and some dogs bark with excitement others bark and growl out of being fearful & some are just dominant. The habit he is doing in the ring has to be got on top of or otherwise a judge will dismiss you from the ring for his behaviour, especially as he gets older. So the best advice is to go to classes even if it is just a local obedience club. Stack your dog while other dogs are around and get him to stay in that position and get strangers to run their hands over him. If he does not move and stays in the stack position without growling or barking reward him with a treat. Get other people you know with dogs to line up behind you and again stack your dog, if he misbehaves try again, but reprimand him with a firm NO!! as soon as he does it correctly without any growling or barking reward him again with a treat. Put dogs in front of you and all move off together, if he trys to chase and be silly, pull him up with a firm NO and then try again, if he gaits nicely then reward him with a treat and tell him he is a good dog.
Always talk to him and reassure him and treat him when he is doing all things right, then his focus will be on you and the food and not on everything else that is going on around him. I always start them in the ring with bait/treat and it only takes a few times for them to realise that if I do what is required I get a tasty treat and the full focus of the dog is on me and me only!!. As they get older there is no need to bait them as they are comfortable with the whole show scene. Good luck with your show baby and hopefully putting in training and socialisation you will have an enjoyable time in the showring. |
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