Teaching a dog to gait in front- H-E-L-P!!!!!! - Page 2

Where do you live, Smiley? Maybe someone on here can steer you to an instructor who doesn't have a big, stupid mouth. Many times the local all-breed kennel club holds handling classes or there might be some GSD people around who would be willing to help you with training your dog.

If you want to study the handling technique of the man who is arguably the greatest GSD handler of the time, see if you can find some videos of Ch. Kismet's Sight For Sore Eyes or any dog handled by Jimmie Moses. Correct GSD's always move out better when they are at the end of a long lead. Not only does that showcase their reach, drive, and flying trot, it also moves them up and away from their handlers and gives a blanker background canvas minus the handlers' clothing and legs interferring.

If you are doing UKC take into account the ring size.  In my area the rings are TINY, so tiny that many GSD exhibitors no longer enter because we cannot even get our dogs up to a proper gait.  I have to have my dog beside me as there is never any room in front unless we are the only dog.  Sometimes I still have slack in a 4' lead.  It's really annoying.

So what exactly are you paying for in taking this class? Is the instructor the owner? If not I'd seek "higher ups" to help you or ask for your money back.
It's all about motivation as with most types of training. In the SV ring double handling makes the dog search for and be motivated to always be looking for their owner. This makes a beautiful alert look, ideally the whole time in the ring. In SV and all other rings you CAN train the dog to be handled by you the owner, but you will never get that alert searching look. Even the most well trained dogs get that "ho hum" look after a while because there is no motivation to look any other way. It's about presenting the dog in the absolute best light you can. In the "Canine Training Systems" videos you can see that the dogs are way more sensitive and submissive when being touched and handled by their owner. Yes, they can get used to it and do OK, but in my opinion they will never show their best when handled by their owner. Even the UKC + AKC rings the owner can stand strategically outside the ring to gain the dog's attention by just standing there. So, don't fool yourself, there is double handling in all rings.
I do wish you the best of luck and hope you can find someone to work with you and your dog!
Debby

djc, did you find the CTS "GSD the German Way" DVD set to be good and worth it?  I don't have resources in my area to learn about GSD structure and show preparation/ handling.  Was hoping the DVD set would be helpful.

DJC-  The class is a drop in class that simulates the show ring.  So, we all go around as a group. Then, we do individual stacks and gaiting.  The instructor pretends to be the judge and checks teeth and goes over the dogs. Next, we stack as a group and she walks the line. After that, we go around as a group.

She may do some exercises like making 2 dogs at a time gait and swap positions or something like that.

But, I was really hoping she would offer more "training" type help. Of course, she does offer help but only to the breeds she likes....

If I attended a class like that where the INSTRUCTOR made unprofessional comments like that during class I certainly would not ever go back, they would not recieve a dime of my money.  I know it may seem intimidating, but the best place to find help often is at the shows themselves.  I have made a great many friends at shows, I have handled their dogs, they have handled mine.  We have coordinated bringing dogs from 4 different states so we could fill a class in order to have competition to finish championship titles.  UKC is supposed to be a "friendly" showing environment, and 99% of the time I have found that to be true, if you need help, there are plenty of people who are more than willing to lend a hand and give you pointers.  Even the judges will often give you pointers.

Sometimes you can let another dog go in front of you in the ring too.  The judges usually aren't too picky on what order you are in, and if your dog moves out better with another dog in front then see if you can let somebody go ahead of you.  Your pup is only 5 month old, even if you have done a lot of ring training, there are a lot of distractions at a show and it takes some time.

Good luck, and more importantly, Have Fun!!

MFH27
When I was first starting out, the CTS was a great help in understanding the whys and why nots. I think they are worth it for those that don't have anyone to teach them. Of course being taught by someone seasoned in SV showing is always better. That way they can explain how to show YOUR dog and not just use general terms, because they are not all the same.
Debby

Thanks, Granville!!!  I feel much better now!! 

I have nothing useful to add, I just wanted to again congratulate Smiley on his show win !! It is so nice to see somebody that is just getting out thre and doing it!! You should be so proud of yourself!! I've as everyone knows always had wl gsds, got a 1/2 sl 1/2 wl bitch and am going to throw myself into the akc obedience, agility and show ring, like you I know nothing about showing, You are definately an inspiration, your questions a very helpful to those of us that are also just learning this part of the gsd and having a blast.  I have not attempted my first show yet but will shortly.  You ask questions I have and haven't asked and some I should have had and didn't know enough to know I needed to know it! Thanks so much and again you should be soo proud of yourself and your beautiful pup!!!

Donner...awww, shucks!! 

Thanks so much! I am use to making an a** of myself so no worries!! I will be the guinea pig for everyone!! hehehe

Good luck with your bitch!  When you start showing please post so we can support each other and share our experiences!!

Again, best wishes and thanks so much for your kind comments!!