Freighter has a dog show coming up this weekend.  He has not been in the ring since last September so we went to a drop in conformation class on Monday night to give him a quick refresher.

Freighter Says He Is Ready
Freighter Says He Is Ready

Since the class is drop-in, you pay for each class as you attend.  The class is offered year round except for a few breaks during the year.  The week before a big show the class is usually packed.  That was the case Monday night because there is a four day show starting on Thursday.

When there are a lot of dogs there is a lot of waiting around while the instructor works with the other handlers.  It can be a bit boring for the dogs.

Freighter Is Not Bored He Is Eying The Other Dog's Treat
Freighter Is Not Bored Because He Is Eying The Other Dog’s Treat

Finally it was Freighter’s turn.  The handler (hubby) handles the dog as he would at a show.

First hubby stacks Freighter.

Getting Him In The Right Position
Getting Him In The Right Position
Freighter In A Nice Stack
Freighter In A Nice Stack

Then the instructor goes over Freighter just like the Judge will do at the show.  Regular readers may remember that Freighter is not a fan of having his bite checked.  He squirms.  He squirms a bit less these days, but he is still a work in progress.

The Instructor Is Going Over Freighter
The Instructor Is Going Over Freighter’s Structure
All The Way To The Back End
All The Way To The Back End

Next it is time to move.

This Is A Down And Back
Down And Back

First Freighter is moved away from the instructor and back toward her.  This is called a “down and back”.  At the show, the judge will be looking at how the dog moves going away and coming toward her, but in class the instructor is really watching how the handler is working the dog.  The Instructor may give tips and suggestions to handlers to help them show the dogs to their best advantage.

A Free Stack At The End Of The Down And Back
A Free Stack At The End Of The Down And Back

At the end of the down and back, the handler usually stops the dog in front of the Judge so the Judge can see how the dog stands naturally.  In class handlers practice this part too.  Freighter has been getting better at his free stacking.

Around
Around

The last thing is the around.  This is where the judge watches the dog’s side gait movement.

The Instructor Is Watching Freighter's Around
The Instructor Is Watching Freighter’s Around

When you finish the 3/4 circle around the ring, your turn is done.  Then dog and handler wait around to practice this again.  The number of times they get to practice depends on how quickly the Instructor gets through the other dogs.  The class runs about 50 minutes.  I think this particular week the Instructor went over the dogs completely twice and they moved a total of four times around the ring.

Even though the Instructor is not really “judging” the dog she does look at movement and she said Freighter was moving nicely.  That means his handler had him at the correct speed.  Hopefully the quick refresher will translate to a good job in the ring.

Nice Work Freighter
Nice Work Freighter

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40 thoughts on “Quick Refresher

  1. I wish we had such a class here too. It was great to watch Freighter, how proud he walked on your side! I cross my paws for the show and I’m sure the judge will love him! We have time till march before we enter the next show where we will get another Waterloo :o(

      1. that’s what my dad said too… butt I’m not sure if his face meant the same hahahaha
        no seriously, we have to work a lot, they have no trophy for show crashers :o)

    1. Thank you. We just hope he cooperates with all the excitement at a show!

  2. He silhouettes just fine against the blue background, great contrast for a Chessie! His gait is quite good, reminds one of a thoroughbred. Macha and Erynn say, Best of Luck to Freighter and his Hubby” handler!

    1. LOL we hope patient. I think he will be one of two in his class so that should go by quick!

  3. I am not a dog trainer but I am loving the movement in the dogs legs. You can easily tell that this dog is ready for what ever is being shown to him..

    1. LOL Freighter always seems to be next to the person waving bait around.

  4. So good of you to bring your dad to that class, Freighter. Our humans require constant training and they perform much better in the ring after a little refresher. Good luck at the show!

    1. Thanks Lauren. We will be up against some stiff competition.

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