Originally Posted by BorderColliez
I am showing a new breed of dog - a black labrador. I am used to showing Boxers in general and this will be my first time showing a labrador in 4-H, and overall. I am in need of help!! I have never shown a dog quite like her. I'm asking so many questions that I had already got down and knew about with other dogs I've shown, but she's different and I'm going to need to use different methods with her. I may sound VERY inexperienced :p but I have been showing for years. It's just, like I said before, she is VERY different. She always finds a way to get me frusterated, and I of course hold it in, I want this to be fun for her and I want her to look forward to it, but it's hard. Any tips in general, and answers to my questions are GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Showmanship:
1. She won't hold a stack. Everytime I get her to stand, she sits down. I rolled a log under her to keep her from sitting, but a log isn't always going to be there. I also put my leg under her, but my leg has to move sometime or another. How can I get her to stand and hold it?- Easiest way to get a dog to hold a stack is to do this. With the dog standing on the judges side ( ie left) of you- put your hand on the inside of the right left. ( will post pictures).
2. She won't hold her position. Everytime I get one foot in place, she moves the other. I tried saying "stay" when I put one foot in position, then moved the other and say "stay" but she still moves.- Try this - with her standing in front of you, with your foot- step in towards her- she will back up a step- thus staying in a stand position. This is a subtle action. ( attached with videos when I get a free hand tonight to tape it.)
3. When I try to do the down and back, or any other form of trotting she will pull ahead, stop to sniff the ground, sniff while walking beside me, run ahead and strain on the leash, etc. She does everything EXCEPT trotting nicely beside me. How do I get her to trot beside me, with her head high?
Keep her closer to you- and I dont mean just in front of- I mean closer in from the side- ( again I will post videos tonight when I have an extra set of hands to tape.)
4. How do I train her to stack efficently, and free stack? Free stack is the hardest to teach if you do not use in training the right things. I use pieces of hot dog in training- then give on " okay". Why okay? Most judges say " okay one time around etc" second- the o and k has a gentle sound- but K is like a " popping " sound..
She's got baiting pretty much down, but everything else she doesn't.
Any other tips and info, I would really like. Thanks.
Training a dog to show- with a shy dog ( and she doesnt sound like it) you start at home on " safe grounds like the back yard. A dog with alot of character- you go somewhere else- and your house is too much of " reading the newspaper" by sniffing. I use parking lots- . When the dog puts her down to sniff anything- IMMEDIATELY TURN- in the other direction- 180 degrees- and go. She will learn to watch you- or get lost.
Obedience:
1. She won't heel, no matter what I try, she won't. How do I get her to heel and not fall behind or pull ahead? Try the above- as soon as she moves out too far ahead of you- IMMEDIATLY- TURN 180 degrees and go in the other direction- even pick up speed slightly in the first few steps so she has to pick up her trot and attention to follow you..
2. How do I teach her to go around my body and sit at heel? This can be taught several ways. From the old method of - with her sitting in front of you- take a step back with your left foot, and have her follow around in a circle to sit. With large dogs- behind the back is easier for them to learn. Standing with her in front of you- take a slight step back with your right foot- the movement will catch her eye- and on the command gently lead her around. .. Immediately praise as soon as she gets where she is supposed to be- and more praise on the sit. As she gets the point - back off the words- but as she gets to the left side of you- inhale slightly. Sounds stupid- but that puts her attention back to you if she forgets to sit.. ' OHHHH I SEE MOM.."
3. Also, how do I train her to sit when I stop.PRACTICE- PRACTICE- BUT - keep in mind- if you are showing her- she needs to understand the difference from training and showing. I use different collars- and different leads to practice for show- for obedience I use martingales and a leather or thicker nylon lead. Mine all have figured it out pretty quick- based on the collar they are wearing and the lead- do I sit when we stop- or do I stack..
Other stuff:
1. Ignoring distractions. Any tips on that? Keep her focused on you- using a word ( again I use okay) works. I also use the word "okay" when giving cookies or dinner... Pavlov dogs thought pattern again..
2. In the show ring I'm betting someone will have a ball. And even if I have a ball too, I'll bet she'd see the other persons ball and want it so bad she won't pay the least bit of attention to me. How do I prevent this? Same thing- okay means something good is coming- you can say it under your breath- and remember- its okay for them to be animated in the ring- they just have to be under control and not interfere with another dog.
I really need a lot of other tips, too.
If you had boxers- a lab would be a piece of cake. Boxers are much more likely to get " creative " in a ring. Remember- to have fun! Its not just for your enjoyment to enjoy what you are doing- but also- it lets the dog feel like their pressence is more desired by you- than what is going on across the ring..
Thank you!!
