Show Experts my Hubby Needs Help

[NicoleLJ]

Ajax and hubby are attending the WSCC show in August and they are in some serious need of help. Hubby has no idea how to pace himself with a dog to keep a steady pace to show of the dogs proper movement. Hubby will have it just right then slow down then speed up the slow down. We end up rolling in the ground all three of us laughing. Here are some videos of hubby attepting to do it right:

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/NicoleLJ_2003/th_MVI_1833.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/NicoleLJ_2003/?action=view&current=MVI_1833.flv)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/NicoleLJ_2003/th_MVI_1832.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/NicoleLJ_2003/?action=view&current=MVI_1832.flv)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/NicoleLJ_2003/th_MVI_1829.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/NicoleLJ_2003/?action=view&current=MVI_1829.flv)

I would love to know what you think of his movement. Ajax's not hubby's. lol But hubby does want help. He says he doesn't want to make a fool of himself out there. I suggested a class but with him in school there is no way.

Here is his attempt at stacking Ajax:
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/NicoleLJ_2003/th_MVI_1835.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/NicoleLJ_2003/?action=view&current=MVI_1835.flv)

OK so lets have. Hubby says he is ready for you all to make him and Ajax a star. lol
Nicole

[Shelteez2]

Well first of all I thought shepherds were shown on a longer lead and taught to move out ahead of the handler?? I've never seen a shepherd right beside the handler ever.

As for the stack, your hubby might have had better luck if he hadn't had to fish for the treat, causing Ajax to sit. Does he have a stand command?? As he was slowing down I'd have given him a stand command and used the treat to lure him. I wouldn't think he would be able to manhandle him into a stack like that at a show.

Sorry I'm not much help as I have never handled a dog in the show ring, but I have watched my fair share of shows and those are my observations.

[Giselle]

LOL. The stacking part is actually pretty good, but a little less manhandling would probably be good ;) Sooo:

- Use a different lead for casual walking vs. showing. Also, use a different cue for stacking. A lot of dogs will confuse a stack cue for a sit cue because they look very similar (raised hand). Using different leads and cues will prevent Ajax from confusing stacks from sits.

- Also, ask hubby to watch Ajax as he gaits him. Your hubby's moving in a very quick, short-stepping manner that causes Ajax to pull in and tighten up his movement. GSDs need flowing strides that really allow them to reach with their arms. Tell hubby to move deliberately, powerfully, and not to rush it. It does require running with a different style than one would normally run (keep left forearm parallel to ground and right arm out to maintain balance).

- Experiment with Ajax's speed to see which speed gives you the most dramatic gait. You want to see maximum reach, and you probably won't get that unless you go a tad slower.

I also don't know if GSDs are supposed to be on a loose or tight lead, but my experience tells me that tight leads are alright with GSDs, so maybe experiment with that to see which lead enhances Ajax the most.

Also, tell hubby to watch and study:
http://video.westminsterkennelclub.org/player/?id=216528

[shepgirl]

Shepherds have to move ahead of the handler on a longer show lead and the handler moves in stride with the dog in a flowing stride.
For stacking, this could mean the difference between losing or inning. Judges rarely like manhadling...the dog is taugh to move out on his own and with the command stack they pretty well place themselves since the stacking is a shepherd's natural stance. A bit of placing the legs a tad is acceptable

[Spiritwind]

I can't watch the video because my computer is a VERY old piece of crap...

But anyway.. what I can tell just from the video that shows on the screen in the thread..

I've been showing in conformation for 13 yrs?? I think?? Its been a while... can't totally remember..

Shepherds need to be on a longer lead, and they move out in front of their handler... they are never gaited right beside the handler... also it looks like from what I can see in the video Ajax just has on a plain buckle collar??? If this is correct.. you need to get a proper "show chain" and a longer, proper show lead... you can order these online, or get them at some shows... for the show lead, you need a really long lead.. what I would use on my Collies to show in conformation would be WAY to short to show a shepherd on.

As far as the stacking goes (and I coudln't watch the video).. when you first go up in front of the judge for him/her to do their first exam on the dog.. usually hand stacking (but no manhandling) is accepted... but once the judge goes over your dog and you do your down and back, or go around the ring and come back to the judge you should keep your hands OFF the dog... they should free stack (obviously on their own) whatever way is correct for that breed.... without you having to put your hands on the dog... you should be out in front of your dog... facing your dog, and they should be free stacked, in whatever way is correct for that breed.. for the judge to look over one more time.

And honestly.... conformation classes would be a VERY good thing to go to... even if you just go 1 or 2 times just to get a few tips and pointers from someone with more experience. Conformation classes are usually very casual... not like obedience classes.... its really just for you to practice working your dog, in front of other people who might be able to give you a few tips to make your present the dog at its best...

[Husky_mom]

I agree he has to have a different set of collar/lead... as being trained for service dog is way different as for show... he needs to realize that when in service he needs to heel closer and when at show he can go ahead....

this one shows a more beside handler gait (towards the middle and last part)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY20gMtnKSg

and heres another one (bad quality but you can see a more ahead dog than handler)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2wruTIDSzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUvw1GaBG40

[Falconara]

I just thought I would make one note to the show folks who have alot more experience than I do :

The White Shepherd should be shown more moderatley than the German Shepherd...less extreme side gait and less extreme stack...the emphasis in movement isnt placed on the side gait - the front and rear gait are seriously important as well to these folks. The last judge I asked about it said that their trot / stack is 'more functional' (behind his hand :p)

Soooo...that's just the note I had O.o lol - I have given some suggestions...but I am not gonna lie...I am so new and frequently screw up so royally that I just try to go in an have fun and not make a fool out of myself. (like that time I forgot to stack Ruby, or that time when I went into the ring with my keys on my carabiner still attached to my pants...or that time I tripped over Leo....hmmmmm.) Most of you have seen more shepherds showing than I have...and if you can apply the above to that I would really like to hear what you have to say....because...well...as my SchH buddies say, I'm a clutz and do everything in a clutzish fashion O.o

~Cate

[Spiritwind]

Also another thing I just noticed.. you need to hold the lead in one hand.. not in both hands at the sametime. Your show lead will be a MUCH thinner lead that you can bunch up and hold in one hand....

So I guess the first things I would do is make sure you get a proper show collar and lead.... and hold the lead the right way... make sure the collar sits a little higher up on the neck (not as low a bucket collar)..

Like I said before I can't watch the videos, so I'm not sure how fast your husband was moving/gaiting Ajax... with a shepherd you should pretty much be running with the dog to get him to move at his correct speed and move correctly... front and rear movement (like in the quote below) can really be thrown off if you move the dog to slow or to fast...

When I show my Collies I have to run with most of them to get them up to the proper speed to show off the correct movement...



I just thought I would make one note to the show folks who have alot more experience than I do :

The White Shepherd should be shown more moderatley than the German Shepherd...less extreme side gait and less extreme stack...the emphasis in movement isnt placed on the side gait - the front and rear gait are seriously important as well to these folks. The last judge I asked about it said that their trot / stack is 'more functional' (behind his hand :p)

[lute]

There is a lot of work ahead of these two. For both being novices they aren't too bad. Every one has givin you some great advice.

When stacking the dog in the ring you are presenting the dog. The handler needs to be as invisible as possible. Use as little movement as possible. Pull the collar to the top of the neck and hold it up. You have total control of the body when you have control of the head. Hold the collar up the whole time you are stacking the dog.

Bait should only be used as a reward. Never during stacking. The dog is concentrating on getting the bait instead of stacking. When I am handling I don't even give bait until we are done in the ring. The dog must finish the entire task before being rewarded. I use bait to get ears to stand and get expression.

You can totally eliminate fiddling for bait if you stick it in your mouth. Some bait tastes horrible, but you just have to deal. It's easy access.

I don't know much about shepherd movement. I do know, like everyone else said, that they are moved quick and in front of the handler. Almost looks like they are dragging the handler.

When the judge is going over the dog back away, but keep your hand still holding the head up by the collar. Stay out of the judges way. That's another part of the "invisible handler" thing.

A WONDERFUL book and training and the mind set while showing dogs is The Winning Edge by George Alston. I bought mine from dogwise.com They have a ton of informational books.

Good luck!