Just curious at what age you start taking your pups to conformation class, if you do, that is?  Brandi is 7.5 months old now.  She does not have a perfect heel on her, and can be the typical pup, pulling out front or trying to grab the leash at times.  I've also socialized her with other dogs, but am not sure how she'll react to a room full of them.  I'd like to go now v.s. later, as I need some help learning how to stack her and more socialization would be a good thing.  Feel like as a newbie--I'm already behind on this.  How do you know when your pup is ready?  Or do you just take them and work out the kinks in the process, trying not to disturb other handlers to much?

We started to take Ramsey at 4mo, but I think we should've taken him a little earlier.  Your pup looks great from that pic

Thanks for all the tips.  I emailed the instructor last night, and she said to come try a class next week.  So hopefully I won't have DOGZILLA on the end of the leash!  Showing is not a big priority for me, like hunting and NAVHDA is--but I have quite a few shows near me and thought it would be fun to try locally.  I don't know that Brandi's at an ideal growth stage at the moment (I'm no expert on it), but maybe by March she will be.  I took classes 20 years ago, when I was a teen, but the dog I had purchased already free stacked.  So I definitely need some hands-on-help stacking her and reminders on ring pattern...and Brandi needs to improve her manners and heeling around other dogs.  So hopefully we'll meet some new friends and get 'er done.

Hi Sean.  Got any more pics of Ramsey?  Will you be hunt testing over here this Spring?

Well, we survived our first class.  Brandi bounced out of the truck and into the building, in true GSP puppy style.  But after we got moving, she settled down nicely.  Unfortunately, she was the only dog there, so we didn't get any socialization done.  But since she's a little standoffish with new dogs, I think it was probably good for her first class at the facility to be solo. 

She did really well with the bite check and running hands over her, when she wasn't trying to wiggle into the instructor.  When we started running patterns, Brandi had her sniffer to the mat, but a little "no" took care of that.  And after I was shown how to stack her correctly, we were both doing pretty well at that too.  The instructor said Brandi's a very nice girl and I should have no problem finishing her.  Of course, that'll all depend on my amateur handling abilities and how many shows I want to attend and spend on.   

My little dogzilla really surprised me, but it'll probably be a different story in a room full of dogs.   

I need to have my head examined for posting this video.  I much prefer to be taking video/pics--and not be in them!

Anyway, this is some video from last week, of our 3rd class.  I'm glad I talked my husband into videoing, because I can see some things I'm doing wrong and could improve on.  Like what's up with playing with that tail so much?  Brandi just turned 9 months, and is learning quicker that I thought she would, and is less of a dogzilla than I thought she would be.  There was only one other dog, a 12 mo old Great Dane that attended last week, and Brandi did not know what to think of him at first.  I'm not sure what his measurements are, but he towered over her.  Also had to make a leash change midway, because in my infinite wisdom , I decided to try a different style that night...and it was not working out.  Other than the scratching, I had a much better pup after the leash change.  We're far from ready to show yet, with my greenhorn handling skills and a rambunctious pup, but here's a video of the process.  Thanks for answering my questions along the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kMPDPwx440

First, you are doing a great job for only the third class.  You guys should be very proud of yourself. 

Hope you don't mind, but I have some suggestions of things you might want to try that may help. These are in no particular order, just things I noticed when I watched the video. Also, remembering back when I first started and some of the things I did.

1) You caught one. Don't fiddle.  Whether it is the tail or setting the feet or anything else,  Get your dog set and leave him.  You don't want the judge watching you fiddle.  It is distracting, but they may think there is an issue too.

2) GSP for the most part are big movers.  When you gate your dog move out faster.  I think you will get a better gate and she won't have time to look and sniff. Eventually you will get a feel for the right pace, but in the video IMHO you are moving way to slow for this dog.  She never gets to a nice gate.

3)Always keep you leash in the hand closest to the dog.  Bunch up any extra leash, but do it so that you can let leash out if you need too.

4) I think with a new dog you should try shortening the leash a bit more.  It will give you more control over you dog.

5)When you stack you are reaching under the chin to hold the head.  The judge sees your fingers and not your dogs gorgeous head profile.  Instead (and this will give you more control over her head too) hold her ear and cheek. That way when you are done there are no handler fingers in the judges picture.

6)I never let my dogs sniff or scratch during training.  She is learning that is ok to do and whe will do it in the ring.  Teach her now that those are no nos.  A replace the chain with a nylon or leather slip.  I had the same problem with a chain on my boy.  All he wanted to do was scratch because his hair caught in the chain and pulled.

7) On the down and back whether straight or diagonal I do the courtesy turn because it gives me a chance to line up the dog and spot the corner we are moving in a straight line toward. That is not a big deal until you get in a ring that is not standard size or has on side much longer than the other. When I turn to come back to the judge I look and spot the judge and go right at her. After all you are showing off the front at that point.  You will have to find the right speed.  If you go to slow you dog may try to sidewind and that makes them look off.

8) When it isn't your turn practice stacking.

And the best advice I ever got from my trainer who is also a judge is always think about what the judge sees.  That is what you focus on. This will become important in the ring because things move much faster in the ring than in class.

Keep up the good work.  It is awesome that you are handling you own dog.  And it is so cool when you finish to be able to say all owner handled.

Looking good!  Boy, she grew up, looks alot like her Mom.  Keep at it, practice at home helps alot, then makes it easier to deal with all the distractions at class.

Thanks Brenda.  We definitely need to practice more at home, but haven't gotten a lot of that in, in the last few weeks.  Good weather and training days are just around the corner too, so that won't make it any easier.  

Bev, thank you for your suggestions.

On gait, we are definitely having to work at that.  She wants to break from a trot into a canter, both at the start of a pattern and as we head back to the line-up or instructor.  Last week we had an additional instructor, and she said to start the pattern at a walk--so that Brandi would start at a trot--since Brandi wants to rocket off.  And then when Brandi's trotted a few feet, I can go ahead and trot too, and add a little speed.  It did seem to work, and Brandi was awfully excited last week with 11 other dogs in class.  From there, I haven't been able to step it up faster yet, without her breaking into a canter.  I could see from the video, and I say this as a horse person, that she was starting to get an extended trot...but couldn't maintain it at the slower speed.  So I think I know what you mean.  She is not fully lead broke, so I'm hoping as we get better with that, that I'll be able to gait her faster but consistently.

On the clip, when the instructor says "That was terrific, BUT...", she was addressing me switching hands with my lead.  I don't even remember doing it, or if I was 2 handing it like obedience.  Even my husband saw it.

I will try shortening the leash a little and I did notice in the video how my hand looks wrapped around her jaw.  I've had to really hold her, for the instructor to do the exam.  Brandi is a people nut, and wants to turn towards the instructor, as she approaches.

I purchased very nice looking brown Mendota British Show Slip Lead, that I'll be trying out tonite, so hopefully I'm done with the chain.

Every night has been a little different, regarding her concentration level with one other dog vs a dozen in the class.  Last week with a dozen dogs present, she lead horribly.  But on the flip side, she was standing still much better for the instructor, and I was actually able to stack her and back away a couple steps while she held the pose.  So we'll get there eventually...

Thanks again!