Expert: Y. Webster Date: 1/14/2008 Subject: flinging feet in the show ring
Question when I do our down an back in the show ring, my chin flings her feet out. We know that this a big no no. She don't do this all the time only when she gets excited. Is there anyway of stopping her from doing this? with training.
Answer Thank you for clarifying. I thought that might be what you were speaking of but I didn't want to go into a long answer and it be because of something else.
This seems to be more common in smaller breeds, especially young ones. I have shown small breeds and a few when they got excited were just all over the place. The best remendies I found for this was practice so that they don't feel it's any "great deal" (just another day at the dog show),not talking to the dog as we move and no bait from me and LOTS of exercise before you go in the ring to burn off some of that energy and calm down(which is kind of hard at a dog show but it does help). Your dog sounds young and with age and experience sometimes this behavior goes away with experience. One other thing you might try is not baiting her yourself but have someone "play judge" and offer the bait at the end of your down and back. Perhaps getting your dog to "drive" to get the bait instead of looking to you for it.
I know this is going to sound a bit odd but you might try feeding your dog before you go into the ring because eating usually makes them less energetic and anxious. But make sure your dog goes potty if he/she needs to and not in the ring of course.
I hope that helps and good luck. Dog showing is fun!
