Piper's mom
Moderator
Absolutely! I've taken Finnie to quite a few handling classes and am still trying to get the proper speed down. In obedience heel position is ALWAYS the same, no matter the dog lol.
How to keep dogs cool at outdoor show
- Thread starter Piper's mom
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Calliesmom
Moderator
yes- heeling is the same but I do have to walk a little different speeds for the different dogs to accommodate their different strides. Something to think about with Finnie- your speed with him will change as he grows so what works now might not in a couple months.....
Piper's mom
Moderator
Your so right....I'm sure I'll have to go faster with Finnie than I do with Piper, he's much larger than Piper!
Ann
Moderator
The best advice I got on finding the right speed was to have someone videotape you while you’re practicing. It’s astounding how different you and the dog look than how you feel you do when you’re gaiting!
It’s also helpful if you have someone record you a few times in the ring.
It’s also helpful if you have someone record you a few times in the ring.
Calliesmom
Moderator
very helpful advice, video can show you so much about what you are actually doing and how the dog is responding
Piper's mom
Moderator
Your so right Ann, I know it helped me immensely with obedience! I remember in class the instructor kept telling me to stop dropping my shoulder when heeling but I didn't 'feel' that I was doing it. Then at a match I got someone to videotape it and then I saw it! It was causing Piper to lag, I would drop my shoulder and look at him from the corner of my eye...what a difference it made when I stopped doing that! I'll see if someone can videotape us tomorrow, could help in a later show.
ghggp
Moderator
When I had my first CD obedience show I did the exact same thing! Glancing down to make sure Kelsey was in a good heel position! I got second place! The judge came up to me after the competition and said, I wanted to give you first place but you kept looking down at your dog!
Lesson learned...
Piper's mom
Moderator
Thought I'd add that Finnie didn't do well this weekend...he's so afraid of the table that when the judge asked me to place him at the edge of it he of course started to whimper and then he practically lay down. So only two dogs in the 6-9 month and of course he took second. Same later in the specialty and the all breed. I don't know that I'm going to show him again, we'll see next year (no more until the spring) and who knows, perhaps as he matures he'll get over it. Until then I'm going to focus on obedience with him.Here's a picture of him from today (he was waiting for Piper to get his pictures taken lol). He's almost 7 months old!
ghggp
Moderator
He is still beautiful and showy with his full white collar!
Ann
Moderator
Don't get discouraged, and don't give up showing him. He is very handsome! A few thoughts: Do you have a grooming table at home? If not, invest in one (your back will thank you!!) and put him on it a few times a day with really good treats. Make being on the table fun. You can even feed him on it. Do this through the coming months when you're not showing him.
He's still so young, and learning about new things. If you make them positive experiences, he'll work past it. It takes time and patience; I've been there!
He's still so young, and learning about new things. If you make them positive experiences, he'll work past it. It takes time and patience; I've been there!