Hiya...................quite a controversial subject this one!.............at one time you would hear lots of shouts of "TAIL" from the collie rings until some bright person alerted the exhibitors that all they were doing was drawing the judges eye to them trying to get their dog to drop an atherwise "gay" tail!
the tecnique is still used but using another word.[any will do but shouting "BANNANA"IN THE RING MAY CAUSE PROCEEDINDS TO STOP AND MEN IN WHITE COATS TAKING YOU AWAY!.....LOL
Some use a small tin with coins or pebbles in that they drop next to the dog when gaiting if the tail. goes up......ok for some dogs but scares the feathering off some and totally defeats the object as the dogs are always looking 'round for the next untimely noise...............others use a ling swishy stick [ like willow] or a long riding crop........this is used to touch the tip of the tail when its not in the correct position, now before you all get up in arms i'm not advocating "hitting" the tail or the dog just touching the tip is enough,but you do have to be consistant and do it on all your out of ring walks, it takes ages but it has worked with me and mini dachshunds before now....you can go for the double whammy and "touch" the tail AND use your selected "word" you may then just be able to use the "word" and the tail will drop............pretty safe words are "good"........"nice".......or even good old "shhhhhh".....have fun!
Pauline.......lets know how you do?