Mugi
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A Useful DayIt is common knowledge that Chase is a PITA in the showring  .
Well in my endeavours to help me and him I attended an all day training session today run by a friend with a trainer called Paddy Driscoll who runs these courses on a fairly regular basis - she is an APDT Dog Trainer and has competed in Competitve Obedience, does show and does judge.
The day is run with a maximum of 8 dogs so enough to provide distraction but plenty of time to look at individuals problems.
Attending apart from Chase and myself were a GWP, an Irish Setter, a Weim, a Griffon Bruxellois, 2 Tibetan Terriers and a Giant Schnauzer.
The start had us all on the floor and a quick assessment of our main aims for the day then we started working with each dog individually. Chase was first on......................................................
Immediately Paddy decided all we would work on was stillness. His default position is a sit and all I was working on was getting him standing nicely for me with good head and ear placement. It was hard work - he got frustrated and annoyed and became a brat but I wasn't allowed to wimp out. She feels he is just too aroused to concentrate and he is now old enough to be pushed to work it all out and not be given excuses. At the end of his 15 mins I could see what we were trying to achieve.
I then put him away in the car as I didn't feel he would benefit from being a passive observer in the hall.
Watching the other dogs being handled and worked through I have lots to work on with Chase for the future so equally valuable watching without him.
After a nice lunch of homemade soup (carrot and ginger) with home-made bread we went back to having a group session. Paddy had me working with Chase a little away from the other dogs and bringing him in closer as he was able to manage stillness with the movement of other dogs all around him. He worked hard and at the end was producing a lovely stand in front with enquiring ears and things could be happening around him without him losing focus on the job in hand.
I have a training plan now to work towards - Chase will not be expected to produce this work at Crufts as it is too close and I have no intention of cueing him into behaviour he isn't sound in and probably spoiling it all. His next two open shows depending on rings, distractions etc may be used more as advanced training but I will decide at the time.
At the session I also was able to get Brice out for a few minutes and wander him around the dogs in the hall without any stress on his part. I have been working really hard on getting him relaxed around unknown dogs and this was a great opportunity as I knew all the dogs in the hall were under good control. He was fine so well worth taking him and asking to be allowed a few moments with him.
Anyway, I briefly mentioned to Paddy that Brittany owners might be interested in having a day with her at sometime and she didn't run from the room screaming . She lives in Lincoln and so if there are interested parties (8 dogs only remember although more people can be accomodated as spectators) I am happy to do more research with her about the practicalities. Cost today was £32.50 per handler/dog which included the refreshments, Paddy's fees and travelling and the hire of the hall. So not cheap exactly and certainly no profit for the lady putting it on (she was a participant so got her benefit that way).
I would probably need help finding a venue too as coming all the way to my neck of the woods would be off putting for many so local knowledge of a central area would be helpful I guess.
I certainly think it was worthwhile and I would do it again to add an extra edge to Chase once the basics are more reliable. Although to be fair him being a Show Off was not a problem and if he is more confident (I know that sounds a bit weird talking about "The Brat" but in many ways he is unsure in a busy show environment) then I think that will come.
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) and hopefully I will help him do himself justice in the end.
