Training a puppy to stack - Page 1

How do you train a puppy to stack? I see pictures of puppies in the stack how can I train my puppy to stack?

you really do as little as possible i teach a "stand" at 16 weeks and not stack and get them to stand there and give a release command shortly after.. then eventually u have them "stand" and then pull the leg out etc.... keep it fun dont put stress on puppies can ruin their love for showing

As a GSD develops, if properly constructed, it will automatically walk into a proper "stacked" show stance as a normal occurence. This proper stacked stance places one on the rear legs forward to show approx a 90 degree angle (parallel to the 90-105 degree front and the other leg is more rearward with the hock running a styraigh verticle line. Dogs properly built often walk into this on or off lead as a normal occurence because it is a natural byproduct of perfect physical balance and proportioning between the front and the rear and proper angles. If the dog is too long or has improper angulation or a pushed forward front assembly, it can't happen and the dog must be hand placed. This hand placing according to some vets, places undue stress on the spine and can damage the spinal innervation to the rear quarters, causing a hitch and later lameness as the dog ages. Almost always when you see someone hand setting their GSD into a "proper stance" the dog is faulty. Very few GSD walk into a proper show stance automatically because there aren't many which are properly constructed in W. Germany or anywhere else in the world (less than 10% of all GSDs, probably only 1-3%). Even at the Siegerhaupzuchtschaau you now see handlers hand setting their dogs for the individual exam, when this almost never happened 15 or 20 years ago. Unless your GSD is one of these top 10% (which makes it very valuable) I wouldn't worry about it. If it is one, let it develop this stance on its own in its own time and then appreciate it very much because most will never have this.

gimme 10 mins, i can only agree whith what is said above. What i would suggest is that you start touching your dog at the legs so that the pup gets accustemed to it. Do it firmly without any stress,but often. Also if you have a male touch his testicles, as he will be checked for it. Be very carefull at this, dont squees or anything like it, as the testical can easily slip up ! Also open his mouth to check the teeth, as this is also required and the dog has to get used to it. Aswell as the ears. Now, as said before, do all this with extrem care, you do not want the pup to be stressed over it. Hope this helps. Kind Regards Ulli Dresbach

Thanks everyone for you help. My little female does something of the stance naturally especially outside when something sparks her attention she will walk into. But of course I don't have the camera so I can never get the shot. LOL. But thanks for everything.

We have a wooden table on which we comb and groom the dogs. Also the puppies are taken on this table and they are trained there to be brushed and stand. As a support we use a small piece if carpet on the tabel that they can stand secure. They easily learn to be stacked, when they enjoy to be brushed and groomed. A second person can show them a toy or reward that they look interested. Always give them a reward after a short lesson on the table. They also learn that the teeeth are regularly inspected on the table without stress. As soon as they learned it on the table you also can do it with collar and lead on the grass.