Movement question. Show stuff.

[Dizzy]

I've noticed that when I move Fred he tends to go at a slight angle as he's sort of watching me. So his front end and back end move slightly angled. When I swap him to my right side, he doesn't seem to do this, no doubt because its unusual, no habit etc.

How can I get him moving more forward and less sideways?

Ps. Touch wood, but he seems to understand that show lead = no pacing! Don't know how we cracked that, but Hurray!

 

[frostfell]

my first suggestion is to have a chiro or sports vet look at him and give him an adjustment if needed, and see if that fixes his one-sided drifting

 

[Dizzy]

my first suggestion is to have a chiro or sports vet look at him and give him an adjustment if needed, and see if that fixes his one-sided drifting

I wish!!! No such thing in mid Wales lol. Farmers aren't so into their fancy dog vets

But, I've emailed someone to ask if there's anything out there.... I've had my suspicions that he's a wonky dog for a long time now lol

 

[Cardiparty]

I am good at looking at structure vs movement. If you post a video for me, I'd be happy to watch him for you and give you my opinion.

 

[Cardiparty]

BTW I have a good friend in Wales!!! There are two kennels that have the last of the "old lines" dating back to Mon (the last old style cardigan) and she has one of them. I would wonder if you knew her.

She has Miz Naughty's grandsire there, and a few of her cousins!

She's a wonderful lady.

 

[Saeleofu]

I wish!!! No such thing in mid Wales lol. Farmers aren't so into their fancy dog vets

But, I've emailed someone to ask if there's anything out there.... I've had my suspicions that he's a wonky dog for a long time now lol

I have no idea if this is anywhere near you or if they're any good:http://www.pippajoneschiro.co.uk/

If you're in an area with farmers, there may be equine chiropractors, and they may do dogs as well.

 

[JennSLK]

Do you have bait in your hand when you are gaiting him? If so he could be trying to look at that. What I did for Jazz when she whent through a strange like that is u would gait her and throw bait in front of her. Not constantly but every so often when she was looking forward I would throw a piece. She figured out if she was looking forward bait magically fell from the sky lol. You can't do that in the ring but if it works for him then he will still be looking for it in the show ring.

 

[Dizzy]

Thanks!

I will try and get a video when I get chance, but don't hold your breath lol! I doubt I would know the breeder, sorry... No corgis round here!

No horses either!! Just sheep. Sheep. And more sheep. And forestry. Its very old school!! That place is miles away too, but I've been able to contact a canine & equine physio. They're about 2hrs away, which is ok.

Jenn, that is a FANTASTIC idea. I don't have bait in my hand, but initially I trained him to heel, and we worked on lead walking etc and he does look at me. One judge was quite snotty commenting "hes looking for tidbits" once when he was ogling me while moving. I'm definitely going to try that!

 

[JennSLK]

Dizzy judges can be @ssholes. I had one yell at me, I don't mean in a constructive way either, about being too close to the dog infront of me while gaiting. This was years ago my very first time in the ring. I know yes I was to close but come on. It was obvious I was new and clueless. You could try to be a tiny bit constructive.

I hope it works for you Dizzy.

 

[Dizzy]

Dizzy judges can be @ssholes. I had one yell at me, I don't mean in a constructive way either, about being too close to the dog infront of me while gaiting. This was years ago my very first time in the ring. I know yes I was to close but come on. It was obvious I was new and clueless. You could try to be a tiny bit constructive.

I hope it works for you Dizzy.

Ha, I'm noticing this. Its amazing how it seems to be the handler that is judged, not the dog. I'm learning and I can see it clearly! Luckily here most owners handle their own dogs (if not all). I can see how the judges look at me compared to the polished hardcore show league lol. I do sometimes wonder how Fred would do if I let someone else take him round, but it wouldn't mean as much to me if he did better... I want to do it. Myself! I might try it once, to see, but I couldn't hand him over every time.

 

[JennSLK]

It's so much more rewarding to show your own dog. Yes Jazz took forever to finish because she was slow to mature and I was learning. But OMG was I so proud of both of us when she finished her Ch title. You will get there. It may take longer but its worth it. Not to mention when you get your second show dog it will be that much easier. If you hired a handler for Fred you would have to start at square one with dog number 2.

 

[Cardiparty]

Sorry to derail, Dizzy!!!! But... I have to ask...

JennSLK how long did it take Jazz to finish?

Dizzy, how close are you and Fred to finishing?

Lil' Sis is from a very slow growing line. I'm not even going to get her out officially until she's a year because of that.

Miz Naughty never did finish, though I did try very hard!

Anyway, I'm just curious. I would really love to have Lil' Sis finish and for me to be able to say that I put every point on her, hard going as it could be!

It's hard being an owner handler.

 

[Dizzy]

Sorry to derail, Dizzy!!!! But... I have to ask...

JennSLK how long did it take Jazz to finish?

Dizzy, how close are you and Fred to finishing?

Lil' Sis is from a very slow growing line. I'm not even going to get her out officially until she's a year because of that.

Miz Naughty never did finish, though I did try very hard!

Anyway, I'm just curious. I would really love to have Lil' Sis finish and for me to be able to say that I put every point on her, hard going as it could be!

It's hard being an owner handler.

Oh god, no where near!!!!! He's only 14 months, and we've only entered about 4 shows to date!!!!! He did SO well in his first show (qualified for crufts with a 1st and a 2nd and got a glowing write up), but then we had over 3 months off as he had an op. Lost all his muscle tone etc, and we've had to start over again. He's not placed (well, not first or second), and I think it's mostly because I'm learning how to handle him as I go showing a adolescent pointer isn't as easy as a puppy, that was sheer fluke I think lol!!! He's from a top breeder (some might say the top!) so he's got the genes, no doubt there!!!

Showing wasn't on the card when I got him, but thought I'd give it a try I know he's got the quality, I just struggle to show him off well enough, and all the dogs he is against are entered in EVERY SINGLE show as their owners are proper show people. It's tough!!!

 

[Cardiparty]

Alot of the prohandlers in my area have been showing since they were teeny tiny kids! How do you compete with that when you're a clumsy adult? Darn junior handlers!

Lil' Sis' sire is in the top 10 this year, but poor Miz Naughty didn't even finish. My litter was his first litter, but he's been bred again, so waiting also to see how those puppers turn out!

You're right, it is hard. I'm a nervous wreck over a puppy match we have coming up here in November. It's not.even.for.points. Yet I am stressing.

How old was Fred when you got him out for the first time?

I've been taking classes, this time, too. I showed Miz Naughty with zero knowledge and embarrassed myself plenty!

 

[Dizzy]

Alot of the prohandlers in my area have been showing since they were teeny tiny kids! How do you compete with that when you're a clumsy adult? Darn junior handlers!

Lil' Sis' sire is in the top 10 this year, but poor Miz Naughty didn't even finish. My litter was his first litter, but he's been bred again, so waiting also to see how those puppers turn out!

You're right, it is hard. I'm a nervous wreck over a puppy match we have coming up here in November. It's not.even.for.points. Yet I am stressing.

How old was Fred when you got him out for the first time?

I've been taking classes, this time, too. I showed Miz Naughty with zero knowledge and embarrassed myself plenty!

His breeders kids are the one that show all the dogs (they're adult now, don't think small kids lol), and they have been showing forever, as junior handlers and now as adults. They know it inside out. All the tricks, tips etc.

Fred was just 6 months the judge loved him, told me I MUST keep showing him lol!! Then we sat out... And now we are trying again! I'm not taking it too seriously, but i would like to achieve something (or I wouldn't be doing it I suppose?!!!?!).

I live an hour away from most of civilisation (proper civilisation, we have small villages and a few small towns) so no real ringcraft classes to attend either. Just doing it on my own, but with lots of input from the breeders when I see them and ask for tips, and also chatting to Fred's brothers owner, who has been showing (not gsp) for years.

We will see he still has so much maturing to do, very much like a puppy still!

 

[JennSLK]

Jazz took a bit less than 18 months to finish. I embarrassed myself lots but its how you learn.

As long as you are both still having fun go for it.

 

[Aleron]

This is a pretty common problem with young dogs who haven't been totally trained for the ring. It can be structural (often from unbalanced front and rear) but acn also be caused by the dog looking up at you. I wouldn't think it means the dog needs to go to a chiro but then...my dogs (and me) don't go to chiros so....

This article has a lot of good training tips: http://sue-eh.ca/resources/Gait.pdf

Alot of the prohandlers in my area have been showing since they were teeny tiny kids! How do you compete with that when you're a clumsy adult? Darn junior handlers!

Have you ever considered asking a Junior you admire to show your dog for you?


Honestly, in Cardi's in AKC you can definitely owner-handle to a CH. But to compete against the pro's you need a good, well trained dog and to be confident and practiced in your presentation )I know that is sometimes easier said than done but it does get easier as you get more experienced ).

 

[Cardiparty]

Dizzy, I think Fred is lovely from the pictures I've seen of him. Except for his...man parts...those actually scare me a bit! I look forward to your progress with him, and I like your attitude.

And it SHOULD be fun. Yes. Definitely. Fun. lol

Aleron- yes I totally agree. And I think we can finish. It's not like we are Labs. In my area it takes almost 30 lab bitches for any points to be had, at least where I am.

The lady I'm taking classes from is a wonderful teacher, though she is hard on us! She is a pro handler, but she is in weims. We've been taking classes since Lil' Sis was three months old, and we'll continue taking classes from her until we finish.

I do know a pro handler, but I want to do this myself. I don't know why it's so important to me that I put every point on her, but for some reason I'm very stuck on it.

JennSLK- yes, it certainly was a learning experience!!! That's why this time I decided to get private lessons from a pro handler. I've actually had to re-learn some of the things I *thought* I knew, so this has truly been an interesting experience.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

I know this is kind of old, but I remember you having some issues with pacing. I've been watching some handling videos today and saw this:

[YOUTUBE]_WVOg9QfooU[/YOUTUBE]

Just before 17 minutes, he starts off with a down and back with an OES and later says that it is a way to break pacing.

I don't know if you even need the help anymore, but I figured I would throw this video out just in case, or in case the thread got searched.