thanks i will give that a try.

The only consolation ive got is a good friend of mine who has bred newfoundlands for 30 years and also judges has a pup 3 weeks younger than jess. She can't do anything yet and we have a good laugh about it. She put her on a lead and she was pulled across the field and 100mph. Bless, i keep telling her if you can't sort yours out what chance have i got.

We will both be in the same shows in april, hopefully it will just all come togeather.

I am sorry you were made to feel inadequate at your first ringcraft. As someone said upthread - we all had to start somewhere...unfortunately some people seem to forget that!

You might like to put a treat on a low table or ironing board (the latter you can adjust as your pup gets taller) which allows you both hands free to stack/adjust, very briefly at first...then let the pup have the treat. you can build up to a 'stand' of three mins (over time)

I always gently stroke the inside of the flank which most dogs seems to appreciate while speaking to them softly and gently.

always have a command that alerts the pup to having its mouth/dentition checked (say 'teeth' or whatever), so that it isnt taken aback.

never get cross if your pup gets it wrong ( In general they are only as good as the idiot on the other end of the lead )always make it fun, and always finish on a good note....if your pup cracks it, leave it for that night/session, and use the rest of the evening as a socialisation exercise.
Pups get tired and bored very easily...and the last thing you need is a pup associating what you are asking of it with feeling that way.

best of luck to you both

We do the tickle on the inside of the flank thing too, it calms a nervy hunched up pup so it relaxes and shows off a nice topline better, the first classes are daunting for pups too, especially if they are popular and full of dogs all shapes and sizes.

Hi Shiba, Where do you go for your Ringcraft. We are Bristol too. Have been to the one near Bitterwell Lake but OH turned up there the other Tuesday and there was no-one there!! Is that the one you go to and have they changed nights/times.
Thanks

Hi, i go to one in backwell. Its very good. I know the one by bitterwell took my other dog and we didn't get on. so i now go to backwell they are all really nice there.

Ooh Shiba, That sounds good and actually might be easier for us to reach than the one at Bitterwell anyway as it is our side of town. Can you tell me what nights they are held and where? Can you just turn up or do you have a contact number? If you'd rather you can send a PM. Thanks for your time.
Jo x

Try not to worry too much, like someone said we all have to start some where. Sadly some people forget this and think they knew everything about everything the day they were born.

On my first ringcraft class they had a match night (like a pretend show), so me and Isla were thrown in at the deep end! Luckily I got to know another lady with English Springers and she gave me a crash course in showing before the class.

Needless to say we got third out of fifteen in the match, I think I had several daggers coming my way at that point! But I didn't care, it's all for fun in my eyes. If others don't like that then tough!

But it's the same in all walks of life, some people can be so far up themselves they can't see for looking, others are soooo helpful. My advice would be to ignore the former and be friends with the latter!

As for having the right equipment, I've only just got everything together and I've been going for a few months. Just do what you feel is right for you and your dog to start with, then you can start looking at adequate equipment.

One last thing, there may come a time in a few weeks when your dog starts to act up when moving/being gone over etc. Try not to worry about this too much. Isla did this after a few weeks (including a few nice sits at the end of her triangle! ) and most pups go through this phase.

Don't worry about it, train a little harder and above all have fun!

Thanks everyone for all your kind and encouraging words ! I have to say that when I came out of the class I was ready never to go back again and look into doing something else with my boy.
I do not want to be so serious especially as I do not even know if the judges will even like him (and the rate that he is growing he may even prove too big !) and I don't want to never have him sit or limiting his excercise so he can 'maintain show condition' ...
But the next day I got a grip and figured I could do it without getiting too up tight about it all... so I have now bought him his show lead and he is doing well in the daily practise sessions so I'm feeling very positive - thanks for your support )

Well done you! My boys certainly don't have their exercise limited - gosh couldn't imagine my Setters not having their 'gallops' daily!

You have the right attitude - just enjoy it have some fun with your boy!

My boys sit when told or stand when required (although sometimes the youngest sits and high fives when I bait him sometimes ) So dogs can do both!

Perhaps their is another ringcraft near you that might be a friendlier atmosphere? If not chin up and keep at it !

ha ha ha he does that too or climbs on you (especially as I'm nelt down with him at the mo ha ha