We have ring craft every 2 weeks. Well, 2 weeks ago Aiden did rather well at ring craft. However last night he was so bad a puppy that had just come for the first time did better than he did.

How can I get him to stop pulling towards other dogs constantly?
How can I get him to stop barking at dogs he's never seen before?(breeds hes' never seen).
How can I get him to listen to me?

At home he listens but as soon as we get there he completely ignores me. He refuses to take treats at ringcraft because he's to busy trying to get to other dogs.

Last night it got to the stage were I broke up a human biscuit which he seemed interested in but as soon as he got near the other dogs all form of control went out the window.

His shows in 2 weeks and I am nearly in tears because he has gone backwards.

I am lost because I live in the middle of no-where and dont drive to get him to places like big parks that have dogs daily. I can do it once/twice a week.

Help.. Please.

How old is he?

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7 Months old.
*sigh*

Practice, practice...practice.. when training a pup for the ring I do so daily - from the age of around 12 weeks. short and sweet so they dont get bored, and lots of praise.

I guess you need to find something of mega interest, and teach him on a one on one basis to pay attention to you.
You need him to stop barking, pulling a way and to listen - for any of them to be achieved he needs to find you more interesting than whats going on around.

some I have trained havent been foody dogs, so I have used toys..and some its just talking to in a rather silly voice - each dog is different.

The worse thing you can do is get frustrated with him, he will just mess around more. Be a little stricter with him, and stay calm.

I use to get embarressed or what ever with people watching, but people understand dogs are not robots - I've been shown up plenty of times, as long as you keep calm its not as bad as you think. Im sure he will be fine on the day, if not its a day of practice.

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I'm the last to give advise as mine makes me look like a muppet in the ring
But wonder if more socializing would be of any benifit - getting him used to all other breeds, sizes of dogs ect! and maybe giving him a good walk prior to going into the ring!!!
Dunno!!!

Thanks for the advice guys.

I think I am more annoyed because last night someone brought hteir in season bitch, she was bleeding all over the floor and I knew which one it was because her owner had told me the following ring craft. As she walked her dog past me and Aiden who was que'd up to go on the table Aiden made a god awful sound and lunged to get to her. Not vicious but the sound was vile.

He was on egg shells the rest of the night after that happened.

When we first started ring craft Aiden had a fear of flat faced dogs and HATED the bull dogs and pug so I spent a week getting him used to their flat faces now he loves them he's now developed a fear of chi's and GSD's despite living with one.

Its frustrating when someone brings an in season female. I find it disrespectful, and not all that wise

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He was pretty calm until she came in then he started playing up and it lasted the rest of the night..

Relax, forget about everyone else and concentrate on your dog and the judge. Focus on your dog the way you want him focused on you

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Gr..Just try an ignore others! If you do, the dog may well to! I just try and make showing fun for the dog, I mean cant be anything more exciting than going round a ring, with a nutty handler making a fool of her self!

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