Freighter has a dog show this weekend so we figured it was time to leave the field and stop by conformation class to brush up on his ring manners.
It took Freighter a little bit of time, but eventually he seemed to remember. He still does not like anyone to check his teeth, so we will have to work on that this week.
The class itself was interesting. Since there is a show this weekend, there were a lot of newbies. I have nothing against newbies, but they have some different ideas on how to train for the ring.
One woman had a Pug and every time it moved a foot, she would stand over it and say “no”. It was a kind of loud “no”. If the dog corrected she gave a treat, but the “no” was very distracting. All through the class: “no”, “no”, “no”, “no”. I have heard people say “step”. I would think saying “no” in the ring would not present the best picture for the judge.
Another handler with a Miniature Poodle used her clicker when the dog was in correct position. I understand the idea, but it was equally distracting. “Click”, “click”, “click”. I have not seen people click in the ring, but maybe they do.
Of course Freighter was sandwiched between two newbies. The woman on one side did not seem to grasp the idea of keeping her dog on a short lead. She allowed it to wander to other dogs and the dog did not just wander, but kind of lunged. It was not aggressive, but other dogs generally don’t like that kind of fast movement in close quarters while on lead. I could tell that dog was making Freighter a bit anxious.
The woman on the other side had a Russell Terrier. She kept encouraging it to jump up and down with a squeaky toy. Freighter was really eying them. I am not sure of it was the toy or if maybe he thought the dog might make a tasty snack. 😉
All and all it was a good refresher for Freighter and lets hope he remembers his manners when he is in the ring this weekend.
Hi Y’all!
Some people! Really! Reminds me of the time I was all sprawled at my Human’s feet awaiting my turn in class. Suddenly the door opened and in came a woman with another retriever. It came running over to me and started sniffin’ me. I raised my head and eyed it. I’d only been with my Human a month, but when she said “stay”, I listened.
The instructor was quick to jump all over the other woman though. She yelled “you never let your dog go up to another dog like that, especially a whole dog”. She then sent her and her dog over to a row of dog crates and told her if she couldn’t control the dog to put it in a crate. BOL!!!
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Freighter I cross my paws and I wish you good luck for the show! I understand that it can be “special” to train together with people who have different ideas. The worst what we had to bear was a woman who threw a ball between the dogs to entertain her dog while waiting for the coach :o( Easy is good when they check his teeth, but when it comes to a check of the other end of the dog, he acts crazy :o)
LOL sounds like it would test the patience of a saint with the nos, the clicker and then the squeaky toy. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Good luck to Freighter! I hope he has a great showing! I am sorry those other people were so distracting. Some people just don’t have any manners…thus, neither do their dogs. Such a shame.
Oz
He moves so nicely, good luck!
I always got annoyed at the people who would fling bait all over the floor to get their dog’s attention. Like they were the only ones in the ring. Gah! Glad Freighter behaved himself.
Extra bait on the floor was Thunder’s favorite part of the dog show. For a big dog, he could spot and snatch that stuff up quick. 🙂
Oh My God. My dog would lose her mind. Is there an instructor at the class? In my opinion the instructor should be letting people know what is or isn’t acceptable and advising them on controlling their dogs. I’m typically the quiet one, but there are times when it just comes out. I have said things to the instructor before and I’ve also left a class that was out of control. Not acceptable and not professional IMO.
Yes there is. An excellent instructor. But you have to remember this is not an obedience class. She is just there to critique the handler showing the dog. She is not responsible to babysit the exhibitors. At a dog show, they should know how to act. The AKC has actual rules and as an exhibitor, you are responsible to know them. The instructor in this kind of class is focused on the handler/dog working in front of them and to offer constructive criticism to them. I have no doubt that if she saw something dangerous, rather than annoying, she would have taken care of it. I have seen her do that. It was more of an annoyance than anything else and I have no doubt the judge in the ring will notice and award accordingly. Toys being thrown or squeaked in the ring, or a dog too close is very normal stuff, although annoying.
We are glad for many reasons Mom doesn’t want to show us. We like the sporting stuff where we can just be dogs doing what we like to do without the fanciness. The show I did last fall was interesting and I did quiet well having no ring training, but it is way to much fanciness for me 😉 Good luck to Freighter!
What do you mean by fanciness?
Standing correctly, walking politely on a leash. We are way to casual. We don’t pull on our leash, but we never bother with heal, etc. More rough and tumble type of walking, the stuff that would embarrass a human in a show ring 😉
I doubt you would embarrass anyone. 🙂
Freighter looks fantastic, and I have a feeling that if he can handle everything that was going on around him during that class (wow, talk about distractions!), he’ll be great in the show ring. Paws crossed!
Freighter looks great and sounds like he handled the distractions pretty well. Hopefully they’ll learn some handler etiquette.
Best of luck Freighter! We reckon if you could mind your manners during that refresher then you’ll be A-OK come competition time.
Wally & Sammy
You sound like you did well with all those distractions that would have driven my Mom crazy. Good luck in your shows Freighter:)
Clickers drive me crazy!! I know a lot of people are into “clicker training” but I just can’t handle it. I think i’d end up throwing my hand in the air and running out screaming dog in tow.
🙂
Wishing sweet Freighter all the best in the show. If he made it through all that with the distractions he should do very well this weekend. He looks wonderful! Hugs and nose kisses
Nice work freighter not getting too distracted like the other dogs! 😀
Maybe dealing with all those distractions help make Freighter a better show dog….just trying to look on the bright side! 🙂