Getting an 8month old to stand

[Trish Haill]

I've got two Opens and the Pointer and Setter show coming up, but despite all my good intentions I cannot get Bess to stand. She won't let me put my hand under her jaw - even lightly, and if I try to treat her for letting me she'll only succumb for the time it takes to eat the treat.

Well today I might have made a breakthrough, though I don't think the judge will like it!

We were playing Bess's type of fetch. Which is she holds onto the ball in her mouth as long as possible until I eventually manage to manoeuvre it out. Then I throw it and the cycle starts again.

I decided to try a stand whilst holding the ball in her mouth. It was perfect, and I could hold her head in the correct position. She looked lovely!

Mind you, not a good look in the ring I suppose. Although the judge would have a good view of her teeth!

Any ideas how to use this in getting a proper stand?

[Lesley Gilks]

I would forget the ball and start from scratch.  You need to build it up gradually...almost seconds at first, 10 seconds, half a minute and then after a while she will stand patiently.  Getting her into a comfortable stance is the key as she's less likely to fuss.  

Lots of quick, short sessions and keep it light with lots of praise.  I use clicker training as it's a great way to show the dog exactly what you want and praise her when she gets it right.  You can't take the clicker into the ring, though.  

It takes time and there's a lot to remember but it will eventually fall into place and you'll see progress.

Best of luck and see you in Coventry!

[Trish Haill]

Thanks. She was a little bit better at ringcraft tonight. Just concentrating on getting her to stand still at present.

Can I ask, will Coventry be any different to an Open Show, and if so, in what way?

You'll certainly recognise me. Ill be the one with a red face with a dog bounding around on two legs! :0).

[Trish Haill]

That makes sense. I read somewhere that their teeth are coming through and their jaws are changing until about 11 months, and so you could hurt them by touching the jaw. Thanks.

[Georgina]

Don't rush it.  Bitches can be stroppy and sometimes until they have had their first season they  can be tiresome.   Thereafter they are delightful.

Make her stand for a short period and when you've finished quietly reward her with your voice, be calm and don't touch her head at all, then take off the lead and play quietly (don't be overly excited) and give her her favourite treat.   Let her settle.

Half an hour or sometime later do the same thing.   Never try and stand her when you are agitated or she is hyper.

When you've got her routine established, start introducing new things, picking up her feet, making her stand and then walking around her then go back to your original stance and then follow suggestions in first paragraph.   The next step could then be, stand, walk round, then look at her teeth, try not to speak at this stage.   Continue like this and then get a friend to look over her like a judge would do nobody speaks, finish and follow first paragraph.  Eventually you will take hold of her jaw, initially a finger underneath and take her weight and then progress to holding it. When Bess realises what you want from her she will oblige whole heartedly, but more importantly you will relax and enjoy it and so will Bess and whether you win or get placed is unimportant,  you will both enjoy your day out and a real trust will be established.   When she is resting play with her feet ask her to "smile" i.e. open her mouth and look at her teeth, hold her jaw in your hand, play with her ears and she will associate all of these things that will happen when she is being judged as just something that happens.

I had a bitch who hated leads and to get her over it I slipped it over her neck when she was on the couch and sleepy.  When she woke up she would get off the couch with lead draped around her neck and then gradually i would unravel it, pick it up and lead her to the garden.   The transition was such that she never realised that she'd been conned, it just became part of her, no arguments, no battle of wills, no bribery by far the easiest way to get what I wanted.  

Can't emphasise enough about brainwashing, some of my suggestions may not suit you but may give you an idea of how to get what you want without making Bess feel anxious.   Calm, gentle, consistent handling is what they understand.  The more you do with her and establish leadership the easier she will become.  Another thing I found useful for recall was changing my exit routes from the house/garden.  If the dogs rush to the back door, I go to the front and a call them, make them sit, open the door and off we set.   The next time they rush to the front so I go the french windows, the next time they rush there I go the back door.  Eventually they cotton on and wait for me to lead the hunt and follow me to whichever exit I deem suitable!!   Re the feeding, apart from pipping a whistle I should have told you that I don't put the food down until they are behind me so that they accept that I eat first from the bowl (err not really!!) and they have to wait until I put it down...........

 

 

 

[Trish Haill]

This is really useful. Thankyou! And I've bought a whistle and am starting with that in the garden on recall.

[Georgina]

Jolly good, don't over do it tho' and for the first dozen or so times always have cheese or chicken or something really special to treat her with and endorse how pleased that you are with her but calmly.   Also BEFORE YOU GIVE HER THE TREAT make her sit and slip the lead on.   Otherwise she will snatch the treat and dash off before you can control her.   Make it fun, I am always fascinated by sniffer dogs who are just rewarded with a ball and maybe you could adopt the same tactic at a later stage.  Dogs are pack animals and WE ARE their leaders so being with you and understanding what you expect from her is very good for her wellbeing.

 

 

[Trish Haill]

She's getting much better at standing for me at home. Just have to see if there's any improvement at Ringcraft tonight.