[Cdnjennga]

This is what I meant how would you stop him from looking at you while gaiting ?

I will have to watch the video at home , work computer does not allow you tube lol

I definitely think not having the bait being so prominent would help. I think part of the reason he's looking towards you/ your sister is he's anticipating getting something yummy soon. He needs to learn that he won't get anything yummy until after he's completed his movement performance.

I thought this video did a nice job of showing the difference in the ring between a poodle with its head up and straight forward and a poodle looking around. Skip to the one minute mark and watch the 2 white poodles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMHAlX19XUM

Here's another one of the 2008 non sporting group at Westminster. The dogs are looking straight ahead with slight movement from side to side while moving round the ring, then the bait comes into play for the free stack (? don't know what it's called) at the end when you do want them looking intently at you. The poodle wins here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Vo9Faamms

 

[spoospirit]

I have noticed that puppies do this a lot, looking up at the owners. They seem to be looking for acceptance about what they are doing. I wonder if just not making eye contact with him when he looks up might help it out. Sometimes just the eye contact is enough to reinforce the behavior and signal that he's doing the right thing.

This is what is happening with Taffy at 8 months old and she is training to be in the ring next month. She looks up at me often as if to say "Am I doing this right?" Is this going to be a problem? Or do they give some consideration to the fact that they are puppies?

 

[Cdnjennga]

This is what is happening with Taffy at 8 months old and she is training to be in the ring next month. She looks up at me often as if to say "Am I doing this right?" Is this going to be a problem? Or do they give some consideration to the fact that they are puppies?

I would definitely say judges make allowances for the fact that they're pups. Our first show PWD used to get confused all the time when she was first in the ring and sit when she should have been stacking! At the end of the day, the judge should be judging the quality of the dog rather than how they're handled. But whatever you can do to improve their impression of the dog can only help. But still, noone will expect your pups to be up to the standard of seasoned show competitors. I've seen puppies doing all sorts of funny things in the ring.

How exciting, all these conformation competitors on the boards! Hope they all do well.

 

[KPoos]

It's also my understanding that unless you have an outstanding puppy you aren't going to win titles so just go to shows as a learning experience for both you and the dog. Puppies aren't even done growing so it's really hard to win (unless in it's own class of course) because you don't really know how they are going to end up until they are finished growing. Some aren't even done growing until they are 18 months.

 

[cbrand]

I definitely think not having the bait being so prominent would help. I think part of the reason he's looking towards you/ your sister is he's anticipating getting something yummy soon. He needs to learn that he won't get anything yummy until after he's completed his movement performance.

I thought this video did a nice job of showing the difference in the ring between a poodle with its head up and straight forward and a poodle looking around. Skip to the one minute mark and watch the 2 white poodles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMHAlX19XUM

Fabulous! But realize that the two white dogs and the black puppy in that video are all Specials quality Poodles with tremendous movement, attitude and carriage. That is breeding as much as it is training or handling.

I don't think anyone on this board get to that same place even with all the training in the world

 

[cbrand]

So Roxy.... do you want a handling critique based on my admittedly limited experience?

 

[roxy25]

Fabulous! But realize that the two white dogs and the black puppy in that video are all Specials quality Poodles with tremendous movement, attitude and carriage. That is breeding as much as it is training or handling.

I don't think anyone on this board get to that same place even with all the training in the world

Yeah Enzo would never move like that lol I think Enzo has a pretty nice gait for being a red but I would never be that fabulous.

 

[roxy25]

It's also my understanding that unless you have an outstanding puppy you aren't going to win titles so just go to shows as a learning experience for both you and the dog. Puppies aren't even done growing so it's really hard to win (unless in it's own class of course) because you don't really know how they are going to end up until they are finished growing. Some aren't even done growing until they are 18 months.

Even though pups don't win much you still need to train them. Enzo is 12 months so he will be consider an adult soon with in the show ring.

 

[Cdnjennga]

Fabulous! But realize that the two white dogs and the black puppy in that video are all Specials quality Poodles with tremendous movement, attitude and carriage. That is breeding as much as it is training or handling.

I don't think anyone on this board get to that same place even with all the training in the world

Oh yes, I know. But hey always good to aspire to the top right?!? I think the video shows even within top specials the difference in how they look moving around the ring between a dog that's focused forward and one that's looking around all over the place.

My mom and I went to Crufts a few years ago. We didn't see the poodles (which look incredible in the video - apparently over 150 show there!) but we did see the Portuguese Water Dogs. They were really disappointing and nowhere near the quality we have in North America. I think the breed is less developed there...

 

[KPoos]

Even though pups don't win much you still need to train them. Enzo is 12 months so he will be consider an adult soon with in the show ring.

Oh yes I agree which is part of the reason you still enter them in shows and take the handling lessons. If you don't start early they aren't going to "show" for you in the puppy class.

 

[roxy25]

I just paid for handling classes the local club finally has it again we missed on class but that is not a big deal so we will be going on monday

 

[spoospirit]

I just paid for handling classes the local club finally has it again we missed on class but that is not a big deal so we will be going on monday

That's good, Roxy. Wish they offered that in our area. I'd jump all over it.

 

[roxy25]

Cbrand , I am not sure what I was thinking when I said he has a 22" collar lol

I forgot we upgraded him to a 18" his 16" would not fit over his head not the 18" so he fits 18"

We will be going to the class today I can not wait

 

[roxy25]

We went to class last night and Enzo was so bad !!!!!

It was a big class ! There was a bulldog in Heat and Enzo was going nuts lol.
This teacher is so great we learned a lot from her last night.

I will try to get video next time. its outside in the dark so we will see if we can get video or pics.

 

[KPoos]

We went to class last night and Enzo was so bad !!!!!

It was a big class ! There was a bulldog in Heat and Enzo was going nuts lol.
This teacher is so great we learned a lot from her last night.

I will try to get video next time. its outside in the dark so we will see if we can get video or pics.

That totally sucks that you have to pay for your classes but it's good that you are exposing him to it. There will be bitches in heat at the shows so he needs to know how to behave.

 

[Cdnjennga]

This teacher is so great we learned a lot from her last night.

Great! I think handling classes are so valuable. We took our first PWD and got such a kick out of watching all the newbies learn how to do it.

Can't wait to see the videos showing off your new moves!

 

[bpk082]

I just love how my sister's lack of faith in Enzo about how he will never gait like that lol. We have been told he moves well and is showy from top handlers.They really like his gait/carrige, it just that I have to learn to bring it out which I'm not good at lol. Class yesterday was fun we learned a lot hopefully we can get some results so we can share them with you guys.

 

[roxy25]

I just love how my sister's lack of faith in Enzo about how he will never gait like that lol. We have been told he moves well and is showy from top handlers.They really like his gait/carrige, it just that I have to learn to bring it out which I'm not good at lol. Class yesterday was fun we learned a lot hopefully we can get some results so we can share them with you guys.

because someone never trains him :thefinger: lol

 

[bpk082]

Ok yeah that's exactly what I do........he wouldn't have gotten far then as he has in his short career. Besides how can one train another if they themselves not sure of what they are doing? Lets see you handle him in the next show, and how well your ring skills are hahahahahahaha.They may be slightly better than mine but still not at pro level.lol:doh:

 

[KPoos]

Ok yeah that's exactly what I do........he wouldn't have gotten far then as he has in his short career. Besides how can one train another if they themselves not sure of what they are doing? Lets see you handle him in the next show, and how well your ring skills are hahahahahahaha.They may be slightly better than mine but still not at pro level.lol:doh:

And this is the main reason there aren't enough owner/handlers in the poodle ring in my opinion. Too many pros to compete with and not a lot of people that are willing to go up against a pro. I know for me that's one of the intimidation factors of showing a poodle.