can anyone let me know when a fun dog show is coming up!!

Bobtailbabe usually lets us know if there's one coming up that she's running. I don't know of any at the moment but will post if I hear of any.

If you're wanting to do the training to get the dog to focus on you or whatever, you could go to a ringcraft class, even if your dog isn't show quality or a pedigree, you could still go - the one I go to is quite cheap and even if you don't intend to show it's great practice for focus for the dog!

Sheffield Dog Rescue has one in June but the details are yet to be finalised, it will probably be held at Barlborough which is Junction 30 of the M1 but I will be posting more details nearer the time. ;)

Wheres that Lotti? Is it different to the agility class? maybe molly would benefit do you think?

oh thanks yeh i went to that last year at barlborough and my springer did well. they both had a go at the agility course there aswell and did so well.we are going to start taking them agility training because they seem to really enjoy it and are good at it.

TattyBear - ringcraft is training for shows. Very different to agility. The dog is taught to stand (and the handler taught how to stack the dog if it's a stacked breed), they need to be focused on the owner while the judge goes over them and looks at their teeth (this is introduced very slowly and gently) and then they have to run with you up and down the mat twice focusing on you.

From a judge's perspective they're looking to see how alert the dog is, and how good an example of the breed, but for the handler and dog, not only is it good practice for showing the dog off for the best that it is at a show, but it definitely has improved the bond and focus between Takara and I.

It takes a while for energetic and excitable dogs to get used to going, but T loves it and it's very laid back training.

I think it would benefit any dog to be honest, purebred or not, and it's great practice for taking the dog to the vet to be checked over, the dog learns to stand still - Strix has also found it invaluable when introducing Brude to children.

Where is the class?

I think it would benefit any dog to be honest, purebred or not, and it's great practice for taking the dog to the vet to be checked over, the dog learns to stand still - Strix has also found it invaluable when introducing Brude to children.
The dog gets used to standing stock still with their nose in the air whilst a stranger runs their hands over the dog, which is particularly good for introducing kids who are only used to stuffed toys, and get in a flap if the dog tries to sniff them :D

The other thing that the ringcraft training was invaluable for, was when I had to teach Brude to walk again after his spinal op. We were given physio excercises (lying him down and me manipulating him) but as he'd had ringcraft training, we were able to 'walk' him, with him concentrating on where his feet were supposed to go - something you can't ask a dog to do unless he's already learned how to do this. The vet who operated on him thought I'd brought him a different dog for the check up as he'd progressed so well in so short a period of time - to the point where Brude was happily trampling round the consulting room when I had been expected to carry him in :)