ambling not gaiting - Page 1

Hi. can anybody advice me on how to stop my dog from ambling in the show  ring .

Walk faster?

If you haven't trained your dog to gait on command and it doesn't have the drive for it you might need to double handle. I have always had dogs that had the drive to pull and so it was easy to train them to gait on command.You might also want to find a group that does ring training for conformation.

I haven't shown in like 20 years, but as I recall, the tall skinny guys got better gaits out of their dogs than short me. They were faster and smoother. 

I agree with Keith move faster or do more work at home, have someone move infront of the dog and call it, maybe have someone with another dog walk in front of you.
Bruckebarem, how old is your dog, if he is older then you could aways exercise it beside the bike then he will have to move faster.

some dogs naturally "pace" instead of trot.  However, as already said - normally they will break into a trot when the pace is faster.  You can train the dog to trot, by picking up the pace and rewarding/releasing when you get what you want.  You can also "break" the amble or pace into a trot by turning the dog sharply - if he starts pacing - turn him in a quick tight circle bringing him into the straight line fast, and he should be trotting.  Or, try tugging him to one side or the other suddenty to take him off-balance just a bit - often they will pick up a trot then.

molly

I have seen handlers slow the dogs up get next to them and lift their forelegs by pulling up the collar and dropping them and they carry on gaiting; it seems to work for them. Don't know if that makes sense...?

I remember reading somewhere that many  times dogs that are tired will pace, but I have no idea whether or not that is actually true.