BEGINNERS TIPS FOR CONFORMATION *HELP* - Page 1

 I have a 2 year old GSD that I do Schutzhund with. There is going to be a local AKC All Breeds show close to where I live in September. I want to enter this show just for fun and was hoping I could get some info from some experienced show handlers on how to start training him for this. Our local pet feed store is giving free classes for beginners. The classes are going to be given by a man named David Gordon who breeds and sales Shiba Inus. If anyone has any info they would like to share that would be great. This is my boy I will be showing.

 Hi,

 1)The first thing you must do is remove the prong collar.

 Use a normal collar or a choke chain.

2) Practice showing the bite,
    have unknown people, walk up to the dog and check the bite.
   (raise the lips to check the teeth and bite) while you keep the dog calm.
   They should run both hands from the neck, over the back to the tail'
   and touch the scotrum, with an open palm.( thats what the judge will posibilly do.)

    Ask the judge, if he would  allow you to open  the mouth and show the teeth and bite.
    They do allow sometimes.( please be very careful,as the dog is currently doing Schutzhund.)
 
    Practice the stack (as per photo is fine.) and moving the dog at a Trot in a circle.

    At the show watch the way the judge moves the dogs and follow what the judge tells you to do.

Have David Gordon help you get the right kind of show lead and show collar.  In the AKC ring, the collar is placed high on the neck, right below the jaw and ears.  In the AKC ring they like to see the dog's head up, versus the German ring where the dog's head is level. 

Practice stacking and teaching your boy to stand still, exactly where you've place his feet.  Also, if Gordon is adept at teaching dogs how to self stack, then hopefully you can learn this from him and encourage your dog to learn self-stacking too. 

And, condition your dog to gait!  Lots and lots of trotting work!  Go to the park and run with your dog, teach him to trot (I taught some of my dogs the word "gait" to tell them what I want them to do)  Your do should learn to gait a little out in front of you, at least a head past your knee if not head and shoulders past your knee.  Some judges like to see the dog's body all the way past yours, other judges prefer that the dog's body stays next to yours. 

Remember that the your number goes on your left arm, I really recommend dressing nicely and in comfortable but stylish flat shoes (that grip the floor easily.)  Also find out what tricks your dog responds best too, be it a tasty treat, a squeaker, a ball, whatever it is that makes him perky in the ring.  Hopefully he will be perky in the ring and charismatic...this goes a long ways in presentation!  Some dogs just hate the show ring and no matter how excellent their structure is, they will not show well.  So if he seems to hate it, don't force it upon him.  But if he likes it, then great!